Circumcision

[Jaybart]

After a number of trips to the doctors about my 3.5 year old having a tight foreskin, it was confirmed by the paed yesterday that he would have to be circumcised. Having scoured the internet as to what this operation actually entails, I am now feeling pretty upset that this awful procedure will have to be inflicted upon my son. I would love to hear from any other parents who have gone through this with their children, and what your experiences are and how it affected your child? Also are there any less radical alternatives?

[Chil1234]

I think if the paediatrician is recommending this procedure as a cure for your son's specific medical problem you have to address your concerns to them specifically rather than scour the internet. It could be that there is more than one type of this operation depending on the nature of the problem and, again, the person to ask is the doctor responsible for your son's health. Whatever the downsides to the procedure potentially are presumably they are less risky and less distressing (in the judgement of your paediatrician) than leaving your son untreated.

[justaphase]

Can I join your thread ....

DS is 4 and the doctor has recommended the same. I have been stalling .. and waiting ... in the hope that the problem resolves itself but this does not appear to be the case.

So we will probably go ahead with the op, either in the Easter holidays or during the summer.

By the way, our doctor told us that they will normally not do the op before the age of 4 as there is a good chance that the problem self resolves before that.

[shouldbeironing]

Have you been referred to a consultant urologist for the circ. if so, he should give you a final opinion and you can confirm there are no realistic alternatives.

My DS had it done. I cant say it was pleasant but recovery physically took a couple of weeks with a further few months for everything to really settle down (there was some bruising/swelling). However if it needs to be done then doing it earlier before they can get really traumatised about it is better. My DS was older (8) and it was upsetting for him to be different from his mates and he took about 6 months to come to terms with this (he is fine now). Age 4 I dont think he would have been bothered.

Having spoken to a man who had to have it done much later in life, his only regret was that it hadnt been done sooner (it was medically needed).

[Jaybart]

Thanks for your comments...

I don't think we have been refered to a urologist, unless we see one at hospital before the op? I think having this op done sooner rather than later is definitely better, my friend's 7 year old had it done for medical reasons and it took ages for him to come to terms with it both physically and mentally.

Justaphase - it sounds like our sonsmay be going through this at roughly the same time. I hope it goes well - keep in touch?

[justaphase]

Yes Jaybart, lets do this.

[Furball]

3.5 years is not that uncommon to have a non retractable foreskin. In some cases it can be upto age 10 before it retracts.

It doesn't mean you need a circumcision. see questions asked here

also this page is helpful