It is something few men openly admit – but research suggests nearly half worry about the size of their penis.
For Ohio-based urologist Dr John Peck, that comes as no surprise.
The concern is one he hears about almost daily – sometimes multiple times a day.
Across two decades treating men’s reproductive health, he has often reassured patients there was little point obsessing over size – largely because there was little that could realistically be done.
Then last year he learned of a new procedure that doctors claimed could achieve what he had long told patients was impossible.
Intrigued but cautious, Dr Peck decided not to recommend it straight away.
Instead, he did something few specialists would consider – he volunteered to try it on himself first.
‘My penis size was not a big issue, no pun intended,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘But I know for a lot of men, it is.
Research suggests nearly half of men worry about the size of their penis – but few would openly admit to the concern
Ohio-based urologist Dr John Peck underwent a penis enlargement procedure last year before offering it to his own patients
‘Patients often ask whether I’ve had procedures myself, and I think it helps me understand whether I should recommend a surgery and what they’ll go through.’
The father-of-two, now 55, had previously undergone a vasectomy so he could better advise patients considering the operation.
He saw having his penis enlarged as a continuation of that same hands-on approach.
Dr Peck said he had no concerns about his own size and no problems with his sex life. When he told his partner about the plan, her first reaction was: ‘Why?’
He replied, playfully: ‘Why not?’
The surgery – the Diamond XL 360, developed by Delaware-based surgeon Dr Stuart Diamond – uses carefully placed filler injections to increase penile girth.
Filler is a medical-grade gel injected beneath the skin to add volume. It is widely used in cosmetic medicine to smooth facial lines and add fullness to areas such as the lips and cheeks.
Different fillers are made from different substances and come in varying consistencies depending on the desired result. They also break down at different rates, meaning some last longer in the body before being naturally reabsorbed.
Delaware-based surgeon Dr Stuart Diamond offers a penis filler treatment designed to increase size while preserving a natural shape
A small number of clinics also offer penis filler treatments to enhance size. However, experts say some can leave men with an unnatural appearance or carry a higher risk of complications if carried out by less experienced practitioners.
But Dr Diamond, a urologist of 30 years, says his procedure is different because the technique is designed to increase size while preserving a natural shape.
After an initial consultation, Dr Peck first opted for a temporary filler designed to last around four months – allowing him to assess the results and ensure there were no complications.
When that wore off, he upgraded to a longer-lasting filler expected to remain effective for between two and five years.
The procedure, which costs between $8,000 and $15,000, takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
Using only local anesthetic, filler is injected into as many as 40 separate points along the length of the penis.
Overall, men can expect to gain around one to two inches in girth, with some also seeing up to an inch of added length.
The changes are visible both when the penis is erect and flaccid.
Dr Peck said he gained about an inch and a half in girth, but no extra length.
He declined to share his measurements before or after the procedure.
Asked whether it was worth it, he replied without hesitation: ‘Absolutely.
‘I tell everybody it is like having a new toy.
‘I was impressed. It definitely is a noticeable difference when you look in the mirror or get out of the shower or step up to the urinal. It does have a different feel to it too – heavier.
‘The orgasms are the same, but there is, I don’t know, something in the sensation, perhaps due to better contact.
‘I do feel that my partner can tell a difference and has perhaps improved her sexual experience as well.’
Dr Peck said he and his partner are not having more sex than before, but are now trying new positions.
‘I’ve always been adventurous,’ he added.
Dr Diamond wheeling his gear, including a number of syringes, into a penis enlargement surgery for a patient
The urologist also said the larger penis had given him a boost in confidence.
Dr Peck said the procedure itself was painless because of the anesthetic, and involved very little bleeding.
Afterwards, however, he experienced bruising and swelling for one to two weeks. He also had some discomfort from night-time erections, though said it was manageable.
For the first few months, he said he was constantly ‘aware of’ his penis while walking around. Eventually, it began to feel ‘normal’ again.
He said the penis was larger when erect and, when flaccid, had a girth similar to what it previously had only during erections.
‘For guys that are looking at this, if you get out of the swimming pool or the shower and things are shriveled, playing turtle… that does not happen any more.
‘I’ve even had people when I am in certain jeans say, you know, make a comment that they can tell I had it done.
‘Was it worth it? Yes. It’s brilliant.’
He said he has now begun telling family members about the procedure, and joked that whenever they hear from him they say: ‘Sign me up!’
A growing number of patients are now seeking the treatment, according to Dr Diamond, who said he is seeing two to three patients a week – up from two to three a month last year.
He said most patients are ordinary men with a normal-sized penis of around five to six inches when erect, but who simply want a larger one.
Only about 20 per cent have what would medically be considered a small penis – under five inches when erect.
A small minority work in the adult entertainment industry.
‘It’s just regular people who come in for the procedure,’ said Dr Diamond, who runs the Center for Advanced Urology.
‘I have some physicians, like John. I have a couple of people who are farmers, guys that own independent businesses.
‘These people are just unhappy for various reasons. I have a few who say they overheard their wives talking about the size of their penis. I had a guy yesterday who has a genetic condition that means he has a small penis. They’re just from all over the gamut.’
He said he has also treated men measuring eight to 10 inches who wanted to be even larger.
‘It’s their goal, it’s what they want to achieve,’ he said. ‘I am just a shepherd on their path to satisfaction and gaining more confidence.’
Dr Peck has now been trained in the 360 method so he can offer the enlargement procedure to his own patients.
He plans to begin offering it in July and already has several men booked in for consultations.
‘My advice is just to make sure you’re doing this for yourself and not for somebody else,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘That about sums it up.’
