Rant on recent circumcision

[toxicsmoggie]

I had a circumcision on the 22nd November for medical reasons, I've been suffering with balanitis over the last couple of years but 6 months before the operation, I was suffering almost every 6 weeks with it.

At the consultation I was given 2 options, the first was to remove the head of the foreskin, but I was told that as I have a tightish ring of skin below the head of the penis, that if i have problems still that this would need to be removed and full circumcision would be needed, the second option was to do a full circumcision there and then.

I went for the second option as it's something that I didn't think I could go through again and it would get it out of the way. So on the day of the operation, even though I didn't want to do it, I went and got it done (doesn't help when you suffer from anxiety)

After the operation it was bandaged but was told that I couldn't go home until I passed water, but when I did I was wondering why I still had some foreskin near the tip of the penis, as wanted to go home and relax, I thought the reason of this was due to the swelling but looking at it now, it seems that a partial circumcision was instead of a full circumcision.

As I wasn't given any advice by anyone on how to clean it properly or what should expect l, all I got was a useless booklet and was told not to shower for 24 hours, so whay I've been doing to clean it is pulling back the remaining forskin that is covering part of the head of the penis to where the stitches are, and letting the water wash over the area.

Now since someone at the minor injury unit (was advised by 111 to attend as i was getting concerned) has looked at it, I've been told that even thought it doesn't look infected but the stitches have dissolved and the wound is still open, also was told on how to correctly way to clean it with some wet gauze thats consists of boiled water and salt (I've been using sea salt) and then dry it with some dry gauze.

Now my concern is

* As it looks like the consultant and surgeon have had two different views on what's is best for me dispite me choosing a full circumcision , shouldn't the surgeon have went of the notes in the consultation where it was agreed that a full circumcision was to be done rather than a partial circumcision?

* How long do i now need to wait before this "botched" circumcision can be put right? As I will be making my feelings know to the consultant who I've got an appointment with in 9 hours of this post.

* Can I request for non dissolvable rather than dissolvable stitches to be put in so the wound heals up?

* im getting told various ways in which to clean the wound, I've been told once a day, after every time I pee or twice a day, do I need to clean it every time I pee or is twice a day (once on a morning, once on a night) enough?

I regret ever getting this done as it's just caused one problem after another

[jimfromcalif]

Why do anything more? In my opinion, you are lucky to be left with part of your foreskin.

[WestyG]

Hi buddy I got a circ on the 20th November... and your not on your own! Mine is also infected, I also lost some stitches, some doctors told me to use salt water some told me not to, some told me to use savalon some said not! I don’t really think anyone nos what they are talking about! I don’t think they will stitch it backup now I think they will jut leave it! Hope it gets better soon!

[JamesLondon]

I had a consultation with a private surgeon and argued with him because the written description of surgery didn’t exactly match what we discussed and I didn’t want more than one operation. He also said he preferred patients to have general anaesthetic which I didn’t like. Later found out he has had a warning for not keeping adequate notes. Found this on the gmc website. Now have an nhs appointment tomorrow instead.

I think as long as you protect the wound with gauze and shower rather than have baths you don’t need to do anything re cleaning. That’s the advice I was given.

[Ryanr in reply to JamesLondon]

Most nhs surgeons will give you general Anaesthetic and when you asleep they give you a local aswell so your not in pain when you wake up. Personally I would rather be out to sleep well I wasn’t given the option but looking at where the local anaesthetic applied I’m glad I was asleep 😂

[Artyfartblast]

It is still incredibly early. Things need time to settle down. I understand your anxiety but give it a month or so, and then consider on the basis of what it looks like then.

[Ryanr]

I’m shocked they got your notes messed up that rarely happens but I didn’t get a choice in what circumcision I was having the consultant just looked at mine and said we recommend circumcision so I say ok 😂 the surgeon knocked me out and got to work also removed my frenulum god knows why but I was just happy to get it over with. I was ok for 3 days then it all went to pot the night time erections started and I got an infection you are not on your own and if your on Facebook there’s a group called proudly circumcised on there I joined it and was surprised so many people were going through or have gone through the same thing. If you have dissolvable stitches you should not soak them in the bath or let them get wet and if you do you should dab them lightly dry with a towel.

[jaglad]

Yes you will find very little 'official' advice. Mine was to avoid bathing for 48 hours then short shallow baths. nothing about salt, but I used Johnsons baby bath soap. In the shower I would cover the head with my hand to reduce the force of the water, because it hurt. Then increase water pressure on the area day by day.

It does get better, good luck.

[Hidden]

you cam take it further as it's not the operation you consented to

[toxicsmoggie]

Thank for all the replies.

I've been back to the consultant who I saw before the operation and he's taken a look and has said that everything's is fine.

He's said that it's not infected as it's not oozing any puss which is good news and he's not concerned about the stitches coming out, he said what looks like an infection is just the post op wound healing.

He also mentioned that it was a full circumcision and not a partial and at it will look like one as the skin is pulling the penis in but in about 8 weeks after the operation it will start to push out once again.

[Quentin281]

Hello, hope you're better now.

I'm planning to get a circ done for the same reason (recurrent balanitis after masturbation or sex) and I am just wondering if it solved things for you. Because although I'm getting it done by a seasoned surgeon, there's still a lot of pain and agony to go through, even missing out on going to Oxford for the summer. Wondering if it's worth it? Anyone else, feel free to comment, the usual anti circumcision peeps, please stay away, I have tried everything for a year. This IS my last option.