Penis Enlargement Surgery vs Non-Surgical Options
Filler, fat transfer, grafts, implants and ligament release all promise a bigger penis. They differ in what they actually change, how they are done, whether they can be undone and what can go wrong, so here they are side by side, with the research behind each.
Side by side
| Method | What it changes | How it is done | Can it be undone? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid filler | Girth, plus some length when soft | Injection under local anesthetic; back to work the same day | Yes, dissolved with an enzyme | $3,990–$10,990 at Upsize™ |
| Fat transfer | Girth, some of which is reabsorbed | Liposuction and injection; general anesthesia | No | Usually under $10,000 |
| Grafts | Girth, sometimes at the cost of length | Surgery; general anesthesia | No | Varies by surgeon |
| Silicone implant | Girth | Surgery; general anesthesia | Only by a second operation | More than $15,000 |
| Ligament release | How far the penis hangs, not its erect length | Surgery; general anesthesia | No | From under $10,000 to more than $20,000 |
| Permanent injections (silicone, PMMA) | Girth | Injection | No | Not recommended |
Surgical costs from Healthline4. Insurance does not pay for any of these when the reason is cosmetic.
What the research shows
The largest review to date pooled 23 studies of 2,620 men. Hyaluronic acid filler had the lowest complication rate of any method, 9 percent against 14.9 percent across all of them, and it has one more safety advantage the others lack: it can be dissolved.1 Permanent materials fared worse, and a second review found that oil-based injections can cause hard, inflamed lumps that need the tissue cut out and skin grafted over the wound.2
Implants add more, at a higher price and a higher risk. Silicone implants added the most girth in the pooled studies, 2.5 to 3.5 cm,1 but they carry risks of infection, erosion and fluid collection, and up to 10 percent are removed.2
Understanding Each Approach
Hyaluronic acid filler
A gel of hyaluronic acid, a substance the body makes itself, is injected along the shaft to make it thicker. It is FDA-approved for cosmetic use in the face and used off-label in the penis. Upsize™ uses it, and so do other clinics; results, downtime and prices elsewhere are broadly similar. It lasts about two years on average, and if you do not like it, it can be dissolved. How the Upsize™ procedure works.
Fat transfer
Fat is taken from the abdomen or thighs by liposuction and injected into the shaft, under general anesthesia. The drawback is that a share of the fat is reabsorbed over the following months, often unevenly, which can leave lumps or a lopsided result, and a second round is sometimes needed.
Grafts
Tissue grafts, from the patient's own body or a donor matrix, are wrapped around the shaft in an operation to add girth. The reported results show better girth and satisfaction, but grafts can shorten the penis.2
Silicone implants
A shaped silicone sleeve is placed under the skin of the shaft through an incision, under general anesthesia. It gives the largest fixed gain in girth, and it is permanent unless a second operation removes it; infection, erosion, fluid collection and removal are the risks to weigh.12
Ligament release
The ligament that anchors the penis to the pubic bone is cut so more of it hangs outside the body. The gain is in how the penis hangs at rest; erect length does not change.3 Because the ligament also steadies the erection, the angle of an erection can change afterwards.3 More on ligament release.
Permanent injections
Liquid silicone, PMMA and other materials that never break down are still injected in some places, often cheaply and outside proper medical settings. The FDA warns against injectable silicone for body enhancement,5 and the complications can appear years later and be impossible to reverse. If you have had one and have problems, filler correction is where to start.
How Much Does Penis Enlargement Surgery Cost?
Healthline puts penis enlargement surgery from under $10,000 to more than $20,000, depending on the operation.4 What each surgery costs · Filler prices
Sources
- Fonseca TDF, Querobino SM. Penile augmentation procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of techniques, materials, and safety outcomes. Sex Health. 2026;23(4):SH26112. PubMed
- Ramazan M, Øbro LF, Wiborg MH, Fode M, Jensen CFS, Osther PJS, Fojecki G. Complications of penile augmentation: a narrative review of injectables, implants, and surgical grafts. Int J Impot Res. 2026;38(3):238-246. PubMed
- Littara A, Melone R, Morales-Medina JC, Iannitti T, Palmieri B. Cosmetic penile enhancement surgery: a 3-year single-centre retrospective clinical evaluation of 355 cases. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):6323. PubMed
- Healthline. Penis Enlargement Surgery: Cost Estimates and Possible Risks. Link
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns against use of injectable silicone for body contouring and enhancement. Link
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