DS' Circumcision- please advise.

[Forever48]

DS (6) had a circumcision Friday, I took him to the GP on Tuesday as it was inflamed and had white bits underneath his penis. She said that it looked fine, there are more white bits and underneath where the majority of his stitches are is very swollen, red and pushing the end of his penis to face towards to ceiling due to how swollen it is.

He's had all this week off school because I know that he wouldn't cope with it, he is extremely sore and still on pain medication. He's also refusing to wear pants due to the pain.

From my description does anyone have any knowledge of the healing process and if he is still in pain on Monday should I keep him off school for longer? The teachers knew about the operation but say that the time he has had off is excessive and they expect to see him next week but I'm not sure if he will cope if nothing changes by then.

I'm just looking for advice, I'm a single Mum so on my own and hoping there are people who can reassure/advise me of the best way to go forward.

Seriously either go back to the GP or take him to A&E - this sounds dreadful. What medical reason was there for him to have a circumcision at the age of 6?

DS also had a circumcision at 6, it healed cleanly within a few days. I’d take him back to another GP if I were you.

He had a circumcision due to reoccurring infections, problems and pain when doing a wee and a non retractable foreskin. I got advice from 2 GP's and a consultant who told me that it was for the best. I would have avoided it if possible.

Oh for goodness sake Sunshinesupermum what a nasty tone. Sometimes the procedure is entirely necessary. OP don’t worry but get it looked at to check it’s healing ok. My son had the op at 3 so I understand what worries you’ve had to deal with. My son had been in a lot of pain before the op but has never had any trouble since.

Sounds infected to me. I'd be going to A and E.

Definitely sounds like it may be infected. Go to the gp tomorrow, or out of hours GP service on Saturday if you still have no joy.

sunshine's post could have been read more neutrally rather than a side dig. I am giving her the benefit of the doubt.

In terms of his penis, if they did not say to expect this, I'd think it best to get a medical opinion asap - not 999 but perhaps at least talk to someone on 111 today.

It was definitely not a 'side dig' at the OP. It is unusual to have a circumcision other than shortly after birth 73 and G&T which is why I asked the question. I'm Jewish therefore circumcision is the norm to me so no 'nasty tone' intended. Some people make too much of a comment.

Forever48 I do hope you have taken him back to GP or gone to A & E. Hope he's okay.

That's no excuse, Sunshine. There is CLEARLY a reason for the OP having her son circumcised. Who would do that to a six-year-old for shits and giggles? Come on.

Doesn't sound like it's healing quite right. Best to get another opinion I reckon. GP first call rather than A&E though (unless he becomes febrile or seems more poorly all of a sudden). Does he have a follow up appointment?

Deffo take him to GP as sounds infected or out of hours? Or contact 111 to speak to them.
Ignore what school say, he’s had an operation! It takes as long as it takes to recover, don’t send him back too soon as he will be in agony

Sorry.

Why are you discussing your sons circumcision with his teachers?

And unless they're medically qualified and have examined him themselves, I fail to see how they are in any position to state any opinion on his length of absence.

A&E soon as OP, an infection could have serious consequences if it's given a chance to develop.

Poor lad :( hope he's feeling better soon.

I'd ring for another appointment today at GP - it's been a few days since he was last seen - say you are cocncerned as see if they can fit him in - if you can't get that try 111 - or see if your area has an out of hours service -I'd do A& E as last resort - but I would get him seen and assessed.

I wouldn't worry about the school - many are under pressure with attendance figures - he has a medical problem and is in pain - I'd deal with them when he goes back.

My son went through this when he was 12. He was off school for almost two weeks.

Gp again if worried or can you ring the hospital ward he was on to ask advice?

As for school, ask them when they received their medical degree because unless they have one you and you sons doctors will decide when he is fit to return to school after surgery that hasn’t been straightforward.

Does it smell bad? Is it leaking any fluid/discharge?

My son has had two surgery's down there (not solely circumcision but it was part of the op). The first one had a wound infection and it was the smell and discharge that made me keep taking him back as well as a problem with the skin graft. It stunk of rotten fish. It took us two weeks until he got swabbed and given antibiotics as most of the hcp's that saw him didn't know what it should look like so they didn't want to do anything. Once we saw the urologist who did the surgery he identified the problems straight away. To see him it meant a lot of waiting around in a&e whilst we saw other doctors but I kept asking for the urologist as they didn't seem very knowledgable about this kind of thing.

Have you tried looking for photos of what it should look like? Stitching is where most of the swelling was for my son and it looked very sore and red after both surgeries, the stitching looked a mess and I wondered how on earth it would look once it had healed! I took photos every day and it helped me see the improvements and healing over a few days. The second surgery I used Chloramphenicol ointment which the urologist recommended, it is used for eye infections so it is very gentle and doesn't sting. It helped put my mind at ease incase any infections were brewing. I hope your son is doing better today