Circumsision questions: Hi, I’m getting... - Men's Health Forum

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Circumsision questions

Gnikow profile image
22 Replies

Hi, I’m getting Circumsised in just over a week and I have some questions:

1. What’s the experince before and during the operation? I have been told I’m going under a general anaesthetic which I’m a bit worried about because I have never been through anything like that before. How long does it take to get knocked out, how long after the operation do you wake up and do you feel confused / scared when you wake up?

2. Can anyone give me a timeline for healing? Unfortunately due to the nature of my job I will only have 3-4 days off to recover.. i have asked this question before and a lot of people tell me that this isn’t enough. I will be sitting down for most of the day so will this still be an issue?

3. What’s the healing process like, I understand that everyone is different and the healing process will vary based on individuals but just out of interest, how long will it be before I feel somewhat normal and I can engage in sexual activity comfortably.

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Gnikow
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22 Replies
jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif

Why are you planning to do this?

Merrkat profile image
Merrkat in reply to jimfromcalif

It could be anything, either his religion or a problem with the foreskin. Theres no need to question his reasoning, he just needs advice.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Merrkat

Why are you threatened by a question?

Merrkat profile image
Merrkat in reply to jimfromcalif

I just feel like questioning him on his decisions may make him feel worse.

Gnikow profile image
Gnikow in reply to Merrkat

Thanks, it’s true - if you look back on all my other posts and questions this guy always feels the need to discourage me and also other people from this surgery. He keeps asking the same question “Why are you considering this?” - I’m considering this because I have tried all the alternatives, been to many different doctors, specialists and also tried many creams and medications - I have made my own choice to get this sorted so I don’t understand why jimfromcalif has to give his opinions when everyone is an individual and has the right to make their own choices based on their own judgment and experience.

Merrkat profile image
Merrkat in reply to Gnikow

Your motives to have a circumcision should, if you want them to, stay private to you. Its none of his business if you don’t want to tell him and if you think anyone is harassing you, you can and should report them.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Merrkat

When one posts questions on the world wide web, it’s no longer a private situation. By the act of posting publicly, he made it the business of everyone reading his words. Why are you questioning my right to advise while you are advising?

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Gnikow

Obviously, you are not sure of having made a good decision, or you wouldn’t be threatened by a simple question. You’re free to take or reject sound advice. If your judgment and experience were sufficient to make such a permanent body modification, why do you have the doubts?

Daz81 profile image
Daz81 in reply to Gnikow

This is a great forum. I enjoy responding to posts and supporting the decisions you have made. No one should be trying to let their views and beliefs affect your choices.

I just like to think that what I can offer could help someone who is struggling or needs impartial advice on their situation.

I am by no means medically trained but have experienced some of the issues people post about on here and like to share my experiences or just be here to chat.

Daz81 profile image
Daz81

Hi. I had op 3 weeks ago today.

Firstly general anaesthetic is nothing to worry about. You're out within seconds. The op lasts only around 20 mins. I woke up around 90 mins after op finished.

Just felt tired and light headed for a couple of hours after you wake. Worn off by end of day.

I had 10 days off work as I'm a bus driver and didn't want to be bouncing around on it.

The killer is deffo erections. When you wake up with morning wood on day 1 you'll think it's going to burst open. This is a normal feeling.

Erections feel really tight and uncomfortable, even now at 3 weeks it feels tight but this will stretch and improve as healing continues.

Everyone heals differently. Some ok after week or 2 whilst others say it was uncomfortable for couple of months.

It is a bit sore and sensitive for the first couple of days and feels different with head constantly exposed.

Main thing is to keep it clean and dry.

I had shower daily from 48 hours after op and also cleaned couple times daily with salt water.

My main issue was the dissolvable stitches which constantly pulled and rubbed. Felt like cheese wire tied round your bell end!

On day 14 I'd had enough of the stitches so went to nurse at my surgery and she took them out and said they've done their job after 2 weeks and ok to remove.

Such a relief and things got better much quicker after they'd gone.

They say no sex or masturbation for minimum 4 to 6 weeks.

I couldn't help but have a gentle "massage" at 10 days to relieve some tension which did the trick.

Obviously the longer you leave it alone the quicker it heals.

Drop me a message on here if you want to chat further.

Dim95 profile image
Dim95

First of all, good luck mate! Everything will be just fine.

I think I had the same problem - applied creams and manual stretching for a long time but nothing helped to fix the phimosis.

Had my circumcision done three days ago - told me it's gonna be only local anesthesia + inject some stuff of a blurring effect.. eventually they put me on a trip to Amsterdam and the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room foreskinless lol.

To be honest, no pain even when the anesthesia is over, just a discomfort because of the sensitivity. Stitches look fine, only the frenulum area is swollen. Important to keep it clean and dry and apply creams if your doctor told you so (daily I change the bondage, let the wound breathe a bit, apply the cream he gave me and put a new bondage - I think after something like day five you can stop putting the bondage but it depends on you and the healing process and of course how your doctor guides you - it's more important than anything).

Those night peeing erections tho make the stitches tight so I run to empty the bladder before it starts to hurt - should consider drinking less before bedtime.

Button line, if there is no infection, you shouldn't worry and it will heal in no time.

P.s. you'll just probably have that funny crab walk for some time lol.

Baldred0210 profile image
Baldred0210

General anaesthetic was great, out for around an hour max (no clocks), no issues afterwards other than a bit light headed, which went in 10 - 15 mins, actually felt very refreshed. Tired for a couple of days. My surgeon said that i could go back two days later (op was a Saturday) as i had an office job, i took an extra day . Went back for two days then took another two off to allow a bit better healing, though i could have stayed at work if needed. I'm on day 7 post op and it is ok, still swollen a little and occasionally painful if you move the wrong way or gets knocked against and as said night time erections can be really painful for a short time, the cheese wire analogy is a good one. I've used an ice pack. Good tip i got was be naked if possible, at least leave your penis out or wear a dressing gown

paulwheeler15 profile image
paulwheeler15

I'm 6 weeks in and you've definitely had some good advice already here. I had 2 weeks off work as my sensitivity was quite bad, it hurt to walk. The healing tho is very individual and some only need a couple days. The erections are a bitch that first week but you get over it soon enough. Keep it clean, so very important. And it'll look awful for a while, don't worry, it gets better. General anesthesia is easy tho, don't stress about that, they make it very comfortable.

Islaywhisky profile image
Islaywhisky

Gnikow,

Without first reading any other replies, my answers are as follows...

1. I hope you have not been circumcised yet, because you have the right to choose for yourself what manner of anaesthesia you are given. A general anaesthetic for any operation always carries risks. But a local injection into the base of your penis (as I chose to have) is totally risk-free. You will be awake throughout the whole procedure.

2. Healing time varies but it WILL be more than three days. However, sitting down (as you do when at work) is the very best option. It's moving about after the operation that can be painful. I don't know what kind of pants you wear (of course) but I recommend close-fitting briefs. These will keep your genitals compact and free from unwanted movement when you have to walk about.

3. At some time soon after your circumcision you should be informed about the healing process based upon your particular situation because, as you say, everyone is different. In my case, one of the two nurses who attended my circumcision, very kindly spoke to me about some issues I must expect. She told me about common night-time involuntary erections when asleep which men are usually never aware of - but after circumcision the stitches are stretched to the point of pain which WILL wake me up, even if I don't know why. She also intimated, in her own words, that "feeling normal" can never happen and I must make the best of what I have left.

That doesn't mean that we can't have sex again after circumcision. But comfortable sexual intercourse will depend upon our partner's willingness to accept a penis without its foreskin.

Christopher

Joeissy1 profile image
Joeissy1 in reply to Islaywhisky

Hi Christopher, I’m getting circ this thurs and considering having local as you did? Was it ok? Much pain? Any feedback appreciated, many thanks

Islaywhisky profile image
Islaywhisky in reply to Joeissy1

Hi Joe,

Yes, I wholeheartedly recommend a local anaesthetic. There is absolutely NO pain during the operation itself and you are are free to talk to the surgeon or the attending nurses if you have any questions during the procedure.

There will be pain after the surgery of course, but that would also occur if you had general anaesthesia.

I wish you well for Thursday. Please let me know how everything went.

Christopher

Joeissy1 profile image
Joeissy1 in reply to Islaywhisky

Many thanks Christopher, that's good to know, think I'll go with the local, I'm a bit of a control freak anyway! Will let you how it goes.

Islaywhisky profile image
Islaywhisky in reply to Joeissy1

Just one other thing Joe. If there is any question about frenulum removal, I earnestly recommend that you refuse because it's a highly sensitive part of a penis which you will want to keep.

However, one of the nurses who attended my circumcision insisted it should also be severed [and I quote her words verbatim] "Or you won't be properly circumcised." I declined of course, but it seems she was something of a control freak - like you!

Christopher

Joeissy1 profile image
Joeissy1 in reply to Islaywhisky

Many thanks for the heads up on that. I wasn't sure about that as my consultant (who will be doing the op) didn't mention that at our last meeting (and I didn't ask) - I will bring that up at the pre op discussion then - so you still have your frenulum and it isn't a prerequisite to take it away in order to do a circ?

Daz81 profile image
Daz81 in reply to Joeissy1

I kept my frenulum and the results are fantastic. See some of the pics in my previous posts if you like.

Islaywhisky profile image
Islaywhisky in reply to Joeissy1

NO. it is attached to the foreskin to aid its retraction during sexual intercourse with a female, giving the male added pleasure. If the frenulum still remains after his circumcision it will continue to be very sensitive and pleasurable.

Quite frankly, my circumcised penis is a crippled penis.

If it wasn't for my intact frenulum, what pleasure would I have left?

Christopher

Cromwellian profile image
Cromwellian in reply to Islaywhisky

My personal experience of a general anaesthetic was no pain afterwards, only a slight tingle. They also gave a local anaesthetic that lasted 4-6 hours post op. I only took painkillers for the swelling on the first two days. There was discomfort on the next few days but that was more from pulling on the stitches with nocturnal erections. Hope Joeissy's local goes well.

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