Circumcision Healing: rebandaging and stitch removal pain solutions?

[PossibleLeg]

Hello everyone, for some context I'm 18 years old, living in America, but I got circumcised in South Korea due to phimosis. It's my 2nd full day post-op (Friday morning was the operation, and as of posting, it's Sunday night), and my glans is highly sensitive and inflamed. Still, I can walk around in my underwear, and I am able to manage day-to-day activities if there is no friction. On the night after the operation, there was some bleeding, and now it's just discharge/puss/lymphatic liquid. Sometimes my penis hurts after urination.

I'm posting on this forum because I need help with my rebandaging situation. 1 day after the operation, I was called into the hospital again by my doc to rebandage my penis. This was the most excruciating and painful experience I've had in a long time. My doctor was confused as to why I was in so much pain, but I'm puzzled as to why numbing cream/spray wasn't applied before rebandaging, given the extreme sensitivity and pain I have to deal with. I have more rebandaging appointments coming up (one tomorrow and one in 3 days), and the thought of going through that pain again is daunting. SERIOUSLY daunting. I'm wondering if applying numbing cream/spray beforehand would help and if I need my doctor's approval for this.

Additionally, my non-dissolvable stitches are to be removed in 8 days, and I'm anxious about the pain due to my sensitive glans. I'm considering using numbing cream/spray for this, too, but I am unsure if it's advisable or requires a doctor's approval.

I've already done some research online, and I've seen people saying that soaking the penis (and the bandaging) in salt water, then removing it and hair drying it and then applying some Vaseline before rebandaging again helps manage the pain and the best way rebandage. I don't know why my doctor has to personally rebandage it, but he told me not to shower and not to mess with my bandaging. Tomorrow morning (Monday), I'm going to call him up and ask him about this situation because I really don't want to go through the pain I did the other day.

I'd appreciate any advice on managing the pain and whether using numbing products is a good strategy. Thank u everyone

[Karthur]

The best thing I can tell you is to take the bandage off yourself in the shower. However, I am not a doctor. I am just telling you because I did that myself and it worked like a charm. The sensitivity will go away, but you have to be very patient. I went through all that and it sucked. If you go to your doc to get it removed at least tell him to get it wet before removing it. I don't understand why he didn't use disolvable stitches. Maybe because of your specific condition. The road ahead is rough kid, but you will be fine. Be very very patient. Hit me up if you have questions. I am in the U.S. as well.

[Timthemoth]

Sorry to hear about your pain levels. Ask your doctor for pain killers: such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. They can be layered in doses: ask the doctor if that would be appropriate. Maybe you should ask for something stronger? Don't be embarrassed about telling the doctor you are in pain...we are all different and this surgery is full on and some guys experience severe pain but this is the 21st century and pain levels can be managed.Your doc knows best but I'm puzzled as to why your bandage is being removed so early as with non-dissolvable stitches the bandage is usually kept on for 2-3 days to help reduce swelling unless it gets wet/dirty.

The salt bath approach - gently removing the bandage while wetting it - is recommended. This method helps moisten any dried blood.

Vaseline is definitely your best friend for the tip to reduce irriation and on your bandages as you describe.

Best of luck...it does improve each day but the first two weeks are a challenge!

PS you could ask your doctor about whether Sudafed or Codral can be prescribed to reduce night wood...they have an ingredient that has some effect in reducing erections during the night. That may help you sleep and reduce your pain levels.