swelling after post op circumcision

[Geordie1992]

was hoping for some advice, my doctor told me to use cream around the the incision and stitches twice daily but my penis is swollen over the stitches and I worried if I try to pull the skin back the stitches will tear, is it normal to be swollen or the stitches?

[K111G]

I was advised to keep my stitches dry until day 3 or 4, so wasn’t applying any cream. I’m 19 days post op now. Swelling is certainly common. I’m still swollen now, though it is really reducing now. The early swelling was to go t over the stitches, so much so I could see them! That resides in time though. Hope that helps.

[Geordie1992 in reply to K111G]

Thanks, was just worried that I was over swelling.

Helps put my mind at ease knowing that it’s normal, appreciate the reply

[Montey95]

yes, that’s completely normal. Mines was just like that as well, I wouldn’t recommend tugging or pulling on it because that could cause a tear in the stitching. What I did was keep it wrapped in the bandages, and I would get a warm towel and let it sit and soothe the swelling or take a good soak in the tub with warm water definitely helped me.

[Deeart22 in reply to Montey95]

That's crazy my doctor said to keep it dry for the first 48hrs then shower but no baths.My swelling went insane!! to the point it covered virtually my whole tip!! It was huge.

I went to doctors to make sure it was all going correctly and they said yes, it's normal and prescribed anti biotics to help with swelling and said use a cold towel to help reduce it.

I'm now Day 9 post op and the swelling is starting to reduce!! Interesting the different methods to manage the healing process

[Geordie1992 in reply to Deeart22]

I’m 2 weeks post op now, I’m only swelled behind the head now, still can’t see the stitches in that area but can move the skin enough to see the ends.

I was told the same about keeping it dry for the the 1st 48 then shower rather than bath. Did you get mupricol antibiotic ointment when you were discharged? I got that to use twice daily for 2 weeks

[Deeart22 in reply to Geordie1992]

No only got co codimol for the pain and some bandages to change the dressing!!

[Montey95 in reply to Geordie1992]

use a warm towel and pat the area to clean and use antibacterial one minute to coat the line where the incision area is at… trust me don’t rush the healing process it took me about 3 1/2 months to get back to normal living. Also, when at home or out and about keep the penis positioned up to reduce the swelling, so basically keep it sitting upward facing your belly button.

[Montey95 in reply to Deeart22]

you’re definitely supposed to put like antibacterial cream around the incision area, but also keep it wrapped with the gauze for sensitivity reasons. But my doctor told me not to shower because the pressure of the water dropping down cause irritation and it would be best to use a warm towel to take a birdbath or soak in the tub. That way the heat can relieve some of the pressure from the swelling.