Does an appt with a surgeon = surgery??

[Sanchar]

DS, 8yrs, has phimosis (type 1, the most severe) and has been having problems with it for nearly 8 years now.

After an incident where the foreskin ripped in several places after rough playing the GP referred him to the paediatric dept at the hospital.

He had an appointment to see a normal consultant to have another look at it. but today I was contacted and told that that appointment was cancelled as they wanted him to see the surgeon instead.
To me that suggests that surgery is now likely the only option left. As they phoned when I was rushing to get the kids ready for school I didn't ask the woman on the phone.

Does seeing the surgeon always = surgery? If so I want to prepare myself for requesting dorsal slit over full circumcision.✂🍆

Tia!

[CraftyMissus]

It doesn't always mean surgery - if a consultant isn't available then seeing a surgeon is a step that stops you becoming a waiting list statistic. The surgeon can decide if a case requires surgery or if other methods are best tried first.

It does have advantages too - if they do decide surgery is better they can explain the full procedure and possibilities without any flannel, so you end up with a clearer picture.

[Sanchar]

This will be the 3rd time he has seen consultants at the hospital now, tried all the creams, stretching etc and nothing has worked.

The lady on the phone said that they wanted him to see the surgeon rather than the consultant which surprised/worried me a bit so I'm not sure it's due to unavailability.

[IsitBrieyourelookingfor]

It's better to think of it in terms of who is the best person to deal with that part of the body. Urological problems are usually seen by surgeons (who may be Consultant Surgeons or members of their team) rather than paediatricians (who may be Consulant Paediatricians or members of their team.) It doesn't mean that surgery is the only option - or that it's a waiting list issue! - more that they are more experienced in managing problems in this area.