So I thought I’d share my story in the hope that it helps someone else make an informed choice if circumcision is on their radar.
I’m a 40 yo male who has always had a very bad case of phimosis. Very tight foreskin that just would not retract at all and as a result was very paranoid about the appearance of my manhood etc. That said I was not up for going to see about it with a GP or anyone out of pure embarrassment etc. anyway long story short, I decided some weeks ago, with a private health insurance policy that I knew would cover any treatment and procedures, to bite the bullet and go and see my GP. He confirmed phimosis and said that a circumcision would be the only real long term solution but that the NHS had a waiting time of 18 months +. Got him to refer me privately and had an appointment at Nuffield Health 6 days later, and after all the advice received there we arranged the op for 6 weeks later. The op was last Tuesday the 19th and I have to say, the experience rover this last week has been nothing but positive aside from the obvious.
Standard circumcision carried out under GA, I was taken into theatre at 3pm and was back in my room at 4:15. Had local anaesthetic while under the knife too so everything was very swollen and numb. Got discharged at 8pm. Dressing fell off in shower the next day - the shower was recommended by the surgeon - and swelling was down marginally. No pain experienced - just discomfort and of course the sensitivity that everyone experiences. In fact, despite being sent home with co-codomol and ibuprofen, I haven’t taken a single painkiller since coming home. In the week since, I have still not taken any pain meds, have worn tight boxers to keep everything in place and limit the movement that causes the severe sensitivity. That sensitivity has decreased an awful lot and am now wearing looser boxers with very little issues around sensitivity. Wound is healing nicely and stitches starting to drop off slowly. Have showered every day to keep it clean. Glans have been very flaky with dead skin and have applied a tiny tiny amount of E45 just to stop the dryness. I’m back at work, driving and took some time in days 2,3,4 and 5 to catch up on some garden work whilst I was off work. Night erections are uncomfortable - no doubt - but not painful enough for me to take any meds as I say.
Overall I look at my penis and think I’m so glad I done it. I feel normal now and think mines now looks like everyone else’s lol. Which might seem daft but like I say, it has caused me much paranoia and inferiority complex issues over the years and so now just can’t wait to take it for a whirl once all the stitches drop off and things desensitise a bit more. Surgeon said 3 weeks, nurses said 6. I’m gonna play that by ear and use common sense. No point in pulling the head off it if it’s painful and uncomfortable - so just see how it all goes.
Worth noting, as no one mentioned it and having never has surgery before, that general anaesthetic can cause constipation in the 5-7 days after surgery. This happened to me on Saturday and as I was unprepared for this, I was caught off guard and put in a horrible day on Saturday. This caused me much more severe pain than anything related to the surgery and it’s after effects, which I hope demonstrates my fairly easy (so far at least) journey since my op.
You do read a lot of horror stories on websites and forums and of course that’s because people generally talk about negatives. Rare that people share their positive stories and experiences and so I thought this one might help some folk currently on the fence as to whether they should do it or not, to make their decision.
Cheers,
J.
Week 8 post op after Circumcision for phimosis treatment 
Circumcision questions. Post op
Circumcision post 8 days
5 days post op from circumcision
