NHS circumcision- my experience up to 4 weeks after

[aManofKent]

Hi. 4 weeks ago I had a circumcision due to BXO (Lichen Sclerosis) with phimosis. Had spinal block rather than full anaesthesia. All went well with operation. Had two small circular scars on head of penis after, queried via email but no reply. They went after a few days so who knows what caused them. Had some bleeding 48 hours after in one location but that was ok after. Main issue by far was the hypersensitivity. I really thought I'd made a mistake having the op. Had read it would go but couldn't quite believe it. It was a good two weeks before there was some improvement in that, and then nearer 3 weeks it suddenly got a whole lot better. Wish I'd bought a cricketer's box or similar to wear looking back.

Now waiting for dissolvable stiches to go. One or two fell out after a week, but only lost about 2 since. Have about 10 left it seems. One got a little sore a few days ago, so applied some antiseptic cream last night and it fell out this morning. No soreness there anymore. I've been very cautious washing around the stitches and maybe that's delayed them falling out.

This forum has been very useful, so hoping my comments may be of use to others.

[Norwich1 Moderator]

Thanks for your update. So helpful to others visiting the forum. Good luck for the rest of you recovery.

[aidanc58q52251]

Hey, looks like we're kind of in the same boat. Also got mine done via NHS (after a 4 year waiting list), 4 weeks ago as well. How do you feel now? Is there still any sort of bleeding or discharge that you notice?

[aManofKent in reply to aidanc58q52251]

So much better than at the 2 week stage. Only bleeding was 2 days after when a scab got dislodged i think. I have a red scab where frenulum was which is taking longest to heal. Slight discharge from that area for first 2 weeks but that's stopped now. I was lucky with wait as only 8 months in total from going to GP, but maybe because i had BXO (lichen sclerosis). 4 years is way too long.

[aidanc58q52251 in reply to aManofKent]

Glad you didn't have to wait as long as me in that regard, I was suffering with phimosis, but wasn't under any pain or infection from it, so that's likely why. The thought of not going under general anaesthetic for this scares me, so I respect you for not.

I still find myself having a sort of white-ish fluid coming from where the incision wound is and still have some skin going over the tip until I pull it back a little, so I hope neither of these things are to worry about - just wondering if this is something you're experiencing?

[aManofKent in reply to aidanc58q52251]

No, i didn't have anything from the incision apart the blood mentioned. The skin was tight to the head until just a few days ago, and now i can move it slightly away from the head, but still cautious due to all the stitches.

[Omniscient1 in reply to aidanc58q52251]

I had a spinal block for my prostate op. It's a weird feeling not being able to feel them move your legs around when you're moved on and off the op table, but it's perfectly fine. It's not at all like a local anaesthetic you'd get from the dentist say. That said I had a local shot for my vasectomy and that was also very effective. I'd rather these than a general.

[Bburn]

I'm glad to hear you're doing well, I'm due a circumcision on the NHS in a few months time due to life long phimosis and bxo. I also have an adhesion to the glans, also need dilation as my opening has become narrow, so it's all going on. I'm a bit apprehensive, but not scared about the procedure, can I ask have you suffered with much pain and are you glad that you had the procedure done, I'm just wanting it done now. Also how was the aftercare instructions from the Urologist.

[Arclight1979 in reply to Bburn]

Really interesting point about what were the instruction for aftercare. Mine were quite threadbare - most of what I know is from this forum - so I'm keen to hear about other's experiences.

[aManofKent in reply to Bburn]

Pain was nearly non existant. Just getting night erections pulled a bit first few days. The hypersensitivity is by far the worst thing. I tried various underwear but wish I'd bought a cricketer's box if you know what that is. Think there are simiar things you can buy where the penis just sits in something without moving a rubbing on fabric. That stage lasted 2 weeks or so then suddenly got better. Glad now, though i seem to have a narrowing of my opening but can still pee OK. Some spraying occassionally, and can have a delay just for a few seconds but made me panic a little to start with. No aftercare, just leaflet and get on with it sort of!

[Bburn in reply to aManofKent]

Thank you for replying, that's really good that you have barely suffered any pain, a lot of people say it's the hypersensitivity that's the worst. I suppose though the more you let it rub against clothing, the quicker you get over the sensitivity. I'm guessing I'll suffer with the hypersensitivity as I've had phimosis all my life, I'm now 42. One thing I am looking forward to though is finally revealing my glans although a bit anxious as to what colour it will look after so long with phimosis. I have been told off my Urologist that after the procedure my glans will return to a normal colour over time.

[aManofKent in reply to Bburn]

Glans are not pretty to start with, with dry flaky skin appearing after a couple of days. I thought it may stay like that but again after a couple of weeks that seemed to go. Colour is pretty much as i recall it being before.

[Bburn in reply to aManofKent]

Because of my phimosis since childhood I've never fully seen my glans, only really the tip. Im just hoping I won't be freaked out, and that my glans don't look right.

[Omniscient1]

Always good to hear of someone's positive experiences. Thank you.

[Moon007]

Hi It appears you are recovering and slowly, I wish you best of luck for the speedy recovery. However, I had a similar procedure on 23 January 2023, it will be soon 16 months, I have never recovered. I am completely, totally and wholly grounded with no erections for the last 16 months, tried everything, saw my GPs, different Consultants etc, none of can pinpoint the exact cause. I also suffer from hypersensitivity, there is no just energy left, when there is no flow of blood, there is no question of any erections. If you get a chance, please read all my concerns under this forum. Finally, I was frightened that with the tight foreskin (phimosis) I might develop cancer, it was only for this reason I had this procedure, otherwise I would have never agreed to this effect. I never had any symptoms for the tight foreskin, such as pain during the intercourse, bleeding etc. Best of luck.

[xsevenx in reply to Moon007]

I hope you can find the help you need Moon007

[aManofKent in reply to Moon007]

I'm very sorry to hear of your experience. Keep trying to find the issue, don't give up.

[Arclight1979 in reply to Moon007]

All I have to offer is unwavering support here and wishing you a solution to your experiences.

[twisterziggy in reply to Moon007]

Were you getting normal erections before the op?

[Moon007 in reply to twisterziggy]

Hi Absolutely, 100%. Now dead as stone.

[Arclight1979]

Excellent update - really pleased to hear from other recent circ bros on how it's all going. All sounds very familiar regarding the stitches and the bumps they cause - I did the same as you with antiseptic cream... but it was salt washes that I think helped to dislodge some of my more stubborn stitches. Mine had all gone by week 5, then two little white tiny stitch ends popped out of my frenulum around week 10 (I was told it was my body just rejecting the material) and a salt wash removed them immediately.

The thing I was most surprised to hear was the dissolvable stitch material called Vicryl (which I had) loses tensile strength around 7-10 days after being put in, then they start falling out. But... the stitch material inside your body under the wound stays there for 6 months or more just quietly dissolving and can be pushed out by your body at any time if it's not dissolving - all natural. By 3 months or so after the op, the stitches have done their job and it's nothing to worry about.

You got this, bro.

[aManofKent in reply to Arclight1979]

Very interesting info on the stitches, thanks. My wife isn't keen to start anything until they go so I'm wishing them away 😄

[Man7Cut in reply to aManofKent]

Listen to your wife man. Don't do anything in the bedroom dept till at least 6 to 8 weeks. There will still be healing going on inside so take it easy

[Arclight1979 in reply to aManofKent]

I would definitely stick to the golden rule of no sex or masturbating for 6 weeks, minimum, and definitely not while you have stitch ends hanging out. They could get infected or ping open. You don't want that, brother.