Adult circumcision

[OffWithHisEnd]

DH finds sex very painful because of a very tight foreskin. He is considering circumcision.
Is it awful as an adult?
Anyone have any guidance or recommendations?
Many thanks

My son had it done a couple of years ago. He is 21 now. It wasn't awful. he had a few problems following the procedure with not being ok with how it looked/ scar tissue etc, but I think maybe some of that was just to do with his age and being worried about relationships etc. He hasn't mentioned any more for a while now so I assume things have settled down/

I really don't know OP. All I know is that it's going to be painful! He should look on the Reddit boards as a few men have commented about the procedure as adults.

An ex of mine had it done as a young adult, I wasn't with him at the time but I don't think it was hugely traumatic or anything and sex was no problem for him after. Get him to speak to his doctor, it's got to be better than painful sex for the rest of his life.

He can get anesthesia.
Apparently it hurts for a second but heals very quickly

My son had done it just after Christmas aged 16, it was done under local anaesthetic and was quite a difficult procedure due to how tight the skin was, it was fused the whole way around so needed to be separated by the surgeon.
The following week it was v painful, taking salty baths and trying to soak the gauze off which had got stuck into the scabbing over skin.
The next week was less painful and he managed to get the gauze off and go without bandages with the use of a lot of Vaseline. Then this week he has been much more comfortable, he’s stopped taking pain killers and been able to run etc
The NHS have a 2 year waiting list in normal times so it’s longer at the moment- we paid privately at a clinic (Manchester Circumcision Clinic) for £550. They were fantastic and I would wholeheartedly recommend them.
Overall it’s been a pretty awful experience but my son is a lot more comfortable now and on balance it was the right thing for him.
Hope this helps!

Brilliant thank you all. @GVmama to go private do you first need a GP referral?

No I don’t think they did see a GP referral, a lot of people (rightly or wrongly) have it done for reasons other than medical necessity (cultural/preference) so I think most people they see don’t have a GP referral.
We spoke to the Doctor on the phone and got booked in to a clinic but had very little contact from the clinic in advance otherwise, but on the day they were fantastic - professional and caring. The after care was good too, we spoke several times to the Dr on the phone including late on New Years Eve.

They did write a letter to our GP afterwards to let them know that the procedure had been done.

My DP had his done as an adult. He went to the GP and was referred for surgery. It was done within a few months as a day patient under GA, within a few months of referral. This was on through the NHS, in Scotland.
Healing was okay, he had a minor issue with infection but got antibiotics and it cleared up well. It was challenging for the first few days due to pain, adhesion of the wound to the dressings, etc. but worth it. He had no ability to retract the foreskin so it made a huge difference. Short term pain for long term improvement. He had around 2 weeks signed off work.

OH had it done a few years ago with no issues really.

A very good friend of ours got it done when he converted to Judaism. He's always said it was fairy pain free and straightforward. He had to talk to his GP who then referred him to a urologist.

If there is no adhesion it seems it is 'easier' than if there is.
My ds had almost exactly the same experience as GV mama - same age, just a few months ahead.
It was pretty difficult for ds for a few weeks if I am honest but again, like GVmama his was very stuck and the op was not as straightforward as normal. The gauze got stuck and had to literally be ripped off by a nurse while they held ds down and I held his hand. It was pretty grim but it will have been very much worthwhile in the long term I am sure. OP it is not a great experience but nor is having a sexual issue forever - short term pain for long term gain and we did keep telling ourselves there are far worse ops and medical conditions to keep perspective.

GVmama, did your son's doctor say if there would be scarring on there longer term?

Is that your usual username OffWithHisEnd ?

DH had it does as an adult for the same reasons, he was referred by his gp. From what I remember it was painful at the time but not unbearable and healed fairly quickly.

@Thedogisdrivingmemad no the Dr didn’t make any promises either way- it was clearly a difficult one and he said he did his best which wasn’t particularly reassuring it was his honest opinion so we are prepared for the fact that it might not be the most aesthetically pleasing result. He is nearly 4 weeks post op now and still unclear how much scarring there will be long term- how long since your son had his done? How is it healing now?

Sorry to hear about the gauze being ripped off by a nurse, how awful for him (and you I’m sure!). We were told to leave the small bit of gauze that was attached and hopefully it would come off with the scab tissue, which thankfully it did. Very traumatic for them, but as you say probably the right thing overall.

A guy in my house share at uni had it done. As I recall, it was fairly painful and he had to spend a lot of time with it uncovered.

Apparently it's fine though to do it to baby boys with no anaesthetic though for religious purposes! 😟

@GVmama and @Thedogisdrivingmemad, at what age did you know your DS would need such a procedure? I think my 5yo may well need a circumcision because his doesn’t retract at all (though he’s young enough that it might still, it’s not looking promising). So if it does become necessary I’m wondering about what age we opt for.

It was a couple of months before your ds's op. Took 4 or 5 weeks I think for him to really heal but it is all okay now. I think there is some minor scarring from what he said but the adhesion was really bad so maybe that is why or maybe it is normal and will fade. Nothing too bad though.

OP have you had a further chat with your dh about it all? It just doesn't sound like he has a choice really and it needs sorting out.

@Policyschmolicy We knew he needed it doing but were told it could loosen off during puberty (which he didn’t hit until 14 in the first lockdown- hence why he’s just had it done at 16. We waited a year for the hospital appointment).
It was clear from 5 or 6 that it was not moving at all, he just has a tiny pin hole to wee through. I now wish we’d done something earlier, either been more insistent with the GP or just gone privately.

Thanks GVmama. I think our child will need surgery too. It doesn’t retract at all, has a very small pee hole and balloons when he urinates. I’ll put it on the list of things to address

I know a couple of older guys who had it done when they converted to Judaism. They said it wasn't pleasant, but bearable.

Policy, if it balloons please seek advice from the GP asap as there is another poster on here whose son ended up in a and e with this eventually. I can't remember the details I'm afraid.
I don't want to worry you and it's been fine for a while obviously but best get it sorted out asap.

With adult circumcision for religious conversion, chances are that would be simpler and with quicker recovery versus a situation like my ds and GVmama's where the foreskin is significantly attached and adhered.

Thanks - the GP is aware as we first sought advice about 18 months ago. But obviously was the middle of the pandemic. Perhaps it’s worth another conversation.