Surgical lengthening · the honest picture
Penis Lengthening Surgery
Penis lengthening surgery is the traditional ligamentolysis (or "lig cut") procedure to increase flaccid penis length. It carries real risks and a low long-term satisfaction rate — here's the full, honest picture.
What it is
Cutting the suspensory ligament.
The most common technique involves cutting the ligament that attaches the penis to the pubic bone, and performing a skin graft at the base to allow for the extra length. This releases more of the inner shaft to hang outside the body — increasing flaccid length only. It does not increase erect length, and the erect penis won't point as high as before, because the ligament that gave support has been cut.
Recovery takes time: heavy work (such as the building trade) may need additional time off, sex must be avoided for at least 1 month, and high-impact sports for at least 6 weeks. It's a surgical procedure requiring careful consideration.
The evidence
Low & variable satisfaction.
"The American Urological Association (AUA) and the Urology Care Foundation consider the division of the suspensory ligament of the penis for increasing penile length in adults to be a procedure which has not been shown to be safe or efficacious."
American Urological Association · Penile Augmentation Surgery position statement (current; patient version updated July 2024)The UK evidence on satisfaction comes largely from St Peter's Andrology, London: Li CY, Kayes O, Kell PD, Christopher N, Minhas S, Ralph DJ. “Penile suspensory ligament division for penile augmentation: indications and results.” European Urology (2006). The unit found that flaccid-length gains were modest and that patient satisfaction was generally low, leading them to counsel against the procedure for cosmetic lengthening. This is supported by Vardi et al., “A Critical Analysis of Penile Enhancement Procedures,” European Urology (2008), which reported a ~1–2 cm length increase but “disappointing short- and long-term patient satisfaction” and “unacceptably high” complications.
Figures above are general descriptions from the published literature, not a single trial result, and outcomes vary between patients and surgeons.
The risks
What can go wrong.
- Penile shortening — the most common complication, as the freely-hanging penis reattaches higher on the pubic bone. A silicone buffer can lower this risk, but the buffer itself can become infected and need removal.
- Loss of erection angle — the erect penis points lower and can be less stable, which many men don't fully anticipate and which can make sex uncomfortable.
- Visible scarring at the base — partially hidden by pubic hair, but some will always be visible. Worth considering if you expect future partners you'd need to explain it to.
- Infection & instability — as with any surgery, plus reduced horizontal and vertical stability of the penis afterwards.
Wearing a penis extender for around 8 hours a day for a year after surgery can help prevent retraction and shortening.
Most men want girth — and that's non-surgical
For most men the goal is a thicker penis, not more flaccid length — and that's achieved with reversible Androfill filler, instantly, with minimal downtime and far lower risk. Surgery has a place, but it should be a fully-informed decision.
Explore penis filler → Non-surgical vs surgicalDiscuss your options honestly.
A private consultation with Dr Anderson — across New Zealand.
About this page
Last reviewed on 28 July 2026.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Brent Anderson (MBChB), Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine, who leads Androfill in New Zealand.
Information on this page is drawn from the published literature on hyaluronic-acid penile filler and from Androfill’s clinical experience since 2012. It is general information, not a substitute for a consultation — your own suitability, options and risks must be assessed in person by your doctor.