14 Days Post Circumcision

[K111G]

That’s me now 14 days post surgery, and I thought I would share some of my experience of the journey that is adult male circumcision.

For a number of months, I had been suffering with phimosis and balanitis, and at times, it really was suffering!  It wasn’t just the physical symptoms, but the emotional and psychological symptoms were just as bad.

Looking on the internet for information about phimosis, I came across this forum.  I read some posts and started to recognise some of the symptoms that others were writing about.  More so, and just as important to what follows, I got chatting to others on the forum.  2 people in particular have been invaluable to me, and I have came to recognise them as true friends who have encouraged and supported me through this journey.  The difference in being able to speak with people who understand what I am talking about and have been through the same as myself cannot be underestimated.

One friend in particular persuaded me to swallow my pride and embarrassment, and head to the GP.  A series of creams and tablets followed, but with very limited success.  A return trip to the GP resulted in a clear diagnosis of phimosis and a referral to a urologist.  For a variety of reasons, I decided to ‘go private’, and within a matter of weeks, I had seen a surgeon, and had a date for my surgery - 21 December.  The surgery itself went without any complications, and before I knew it, I was back home.

The next couple of days were fine.  A couple of paracetamol kept the pain at bay, and I seemed to be doing OK.  After a few days, I was able to shower, and just let the water run off the sutures etc.  The bruising wasn’t too bad for me, but the swelling took me by surprise.  I knew to expect the swelling, but not to the degree it happened.  That said, it’s been absolutely fine, and caused me no problems at all.  You just learn to adapt, and after all, this is just going to be for a short period of time.

One of my friends suggested that I try and ‘tough’ it out by putting on underwear every day.  I do this sometime for just 10 minutes, sometimes a  bit longer.

I think the biggest issue I have had so far has been with the nocturnal erections.  I’d read about them, and I’d been told about them - I was well warned!  What I didn’t expect, was to find just how uncomfortable they were.  There’s no point in me saying they didn’t hurt - they did.  Again, these are short lived.  They are painful, but for me, they only lasted about 5 nights.

Time passes quickly, and before I knew it, one of my buddies (from this forum) was ‘congratulating’ me on being 1 week post operation.  I couldn’t believe that a week had passed, and here I am - two weeks post surgery.

What I have found during this entire process is that sometimes, the fear of the unknown is worse than the reality.  It has been important to me that I have my two friends to speak to, and I find out that what I am experiencing is perfectly normal!  We are all going through the same things on this forum in relation to circumcision.  Everything we go through is the same, but how we go through it might be different.  Our journey is unique.

I’ve still got a bit of recovery to go, but regardless of how it has been, I know that the future is better.  No phimosis and no balanitis.  Being able to say that makes me happier than I can describe.

I suppose I would just want anyone reading this to know that it might be uncomfortable at times, but it is worth it, and my advice - get a couple of good friends who can speak to you, calm your nerves, and just make stupid jokes at times … that in itself is worth its weight in gold!

So!  Apologies for the long post, but I hope that what I have had to say is of some help to others.  This forum has been great, and has resulted in friendships which will last long beyond my surgery.  It might have been tough at times, but I have absolutely no regrets about having my surgery.  It was the right thing for me, and in the long run, will allow me to have my life back, pain free.

Happy to chat further with anyone here, if that would be helpful. (Oh, and a huge thanks to my two buddies!)

[Jasper71]

Well done buddy!! Great to hear you’re doing so well!!

[K111G in reply to Jasper71]

So far, so good and long may that continue. No regrets, so that’s the main thing!

[Miserab]

hi there, good to hear about your recovery and it is extremely reassuring. Can i ask, when did you start wearing underwear (for 10 mins a day) and can you now wear it for the whole day? I am trying to psyche myself to do so, as it has been close to 3 weeks for me post-op, and i really need to regain my life - it had been miserable and depressing not being able to get on with my normal life the past 3 weeks. My zsr staples are still stuck (albeit much looser now) so that also concerns me.

[K111G in reply to Miserab]

Hi Miserab. I tried with my boxers at day four or five. Initially, I literally just (gently) pulled them up and then took them off almost immediately just to get over that initial anxiety. The 10/15 minutes then followed within a day or so. Honestly, I found the anxiety worse than the reality. It also made me feel that I was taking a step back to reality, so I understand what you mean. I’m not at the stage of wearing my boxers all day, but I think that will change in the coming days. I should add that I used a gauze dressing to protect the wound. Also, I have stitches and not staples.

[Miserab]

thanks for the very encouraging response. I probably will try a tight brief these two days as well, as i thought i would prefer to keep it in position rather than having it moving around which may cause more pain for me. I do agree, its the anxiety that is killing me haha. I’ll keep you updated too! Once again, thanks!

[K111G in reply to Miserab]

I did wear tighter boxers for exactly the reason you describe, just so I had a bit of control, but have also worn loose as well, so I’m still wearing something daily, if even for a short while. Like so many things relating to the surgery, it’s finding what works for you. Let us know how you get on!

[Sircumsizednow]

Excellent stuff

[Ryanr]

well done pal, you are a braver man than me 🤣 I’m now 4 years plus post op.

There was no way I was wearing boxers in the short time you have I did try but I couldn’t do I ended up not wearing anything for at least 4 weeks and walking around the house in a dressing gown.

As for the nightmare erections I don’t miss those haha.

The swelling used to make me laugh I remember needing the toilet I would try to stand up to pee but I either pee’d on myself or the floor it just wouldn’t go where I pointed it, me and my partner still laugh about it now.

It’s sounds like you’ve got this in the bag 🤛🏻

[K111G in reply to Ryanr]

Thanks for your reply Ryanr! I’m not saying it was easy, but just 10 minutes a day with the boxers made all the difference to me. I’m 18 days post op and am dressed most of the day, but all day isn’t possible yet! A friend suggested I try “toughing it it” which seems to have been good advice, for me anyway. I recognise your walking around the house in a dressing gown scenario! Going to the toilet? Yes, I get that … it’s sitting down for now! So far, so good and long may that continue!

[Ryanr in reply to K111G]

yeah just do what works for you there’s not really a rite or a wrong way to do it, I tried to but the sensitivity was too much so I left it to be free and after 4/5 weeks it sort sorted itself out and I was able to wear clothes again with mild to moderate discomfort for a month or so after haha

[K111G in reply to Ryanr]

Spot on … there are a few ‘should do’s’, but in the main, we might experience the same things, but how we manage that or work through it is very personal.

[Miserab]

thanks to this gentleman’s advice and encouragement, i pluck my courage and wear my briefs for the first time 3 days back (i’m 2-3 weeks post-op, similar time as k111G) and managed to wear it for hours. It was sensitive and uncomfortable at first, but the anxiety was worse than reality actually. 3 days later, ie today, im able to even go out, drive to a mall for haircut etc. although, im walking relatively slow but its definitely 10 times better than few days ago. Plan to go back to office tomorrow for the first time (at least half a day) to clear some backlogs.

Its definitely an extremely tough and painful journey for me, especially the first two weeks - i was constantly depressed, worried and annoyed at the decision. I am still not out of the woods, but it is definitely getting better now..

[K111G in reply to Miserab]

So glad to hear that you have had some positive experience in relation to your briefs, and getting dressed. Sounds like things are going OK for you which is really encouraging to hear. 👍

[zeldo]

Hi glad all is going well for you , I started wearing jeans around 5 weeks down the line up to them it was joggers