Circumcision

[imtheonlyone]

My 5yo has a very small hole at the end of his penis and this means that his willy balloons when he wees etc.

Talked about it initially with the health visitor as I thought it would be something he grew out of. She had not really heard anything and said best to see the doctor. So I saw the doctor and he referred me to the hospital. Well, we went this week and the consultant says that the best course of action is for him to be circumsized.

I have read on sites since that not being able to retract the foreskin is not reason alone to justify circumcision - but I can see what the consultant was saying in that there is greater risk of infection and that it puts greater pressure on his bladder each time he wees etc.

Just wondered whether anyone else has had a similar experience .... or if anyone has chosen for their ds to be circumsized ... will he be in a lot of pain post op??

Thanks!

DS1 also 5, has the same thing.Very tight foreskin.I have asked our GP who said it is no problem what so ever.She said if it hasnt stretched by puberty it will do then.
DH had the same 'problem' and he remembers it being that way till he was about 9 and his works fine now .
We were told unless he started having lots of urine infections or pain then we should leave it alone.
I also have a friend who son had the same and he was circumsized due top pain and infections.Was very sore for a wekk or so but fine after that.
HTH.

I thought that ballooning was normal and not a problem unless it is sore - just something they grow out of. If it can be retracted then teach him to gently pull the skin back when he does a wee - but not to force it (it might still be attached, it detaches at some point during childhood)

His foreskin is not just tight really .... you cannot retract it at all. There is only a tiny tiny hole!! I have seen other boys' bits balloon slightly (not that I go round checking BTW but have asked friends out of curiosity!!!) but his balloons so much more! I have another ds (2) as well and his doesn't do anything like it!
Doc at hosp said he would be far better having the op now rather than when he's older ... that way he'll never remember having a foreskin! Just don't really want him to have an operation for no reason! He's already had 10!!!

DS2 had this problem. Led to balanistis eventually with repeated infections. Bacteria grow in the urine trapped under the foreskin.

He was circumcised at age 7. We really had no choice as the infections got worse and more frequent. Very sore for 1 week after te operation, uncomfortable in week 2, fine by week 3.

Better done as a child than as a teenager or adult.

DS1 had the same thing, my doctor wouldn't really consider circumcision till he was 8.

I really didn't want him to go through havinga full circumcision, so he had something called Preputial Plasty which is basically a small slit in the side of the foreskin.

It was obviously sore when the penile block wore off, but he could pull it back completely by 3 days. It wasn't sore after about 2 days. He's delighted with it and I'm very glad we did it when he is so young.

CAT me if you want more info

Sorry, I'm not a MN expert ... how do I CAT you? Am very interested in your Preputial Plasty thing ..... was wondering whether they could do something like that rather than the full circumcision. Am really not keen on the idea ... although if he needs it then he needs it, no question. But he's not had any infections ... the only thing the doc says was that the foreskin could well be attached to the tip of the penis .... ow!!!

Well I have to admit that I've never had a cat before, but I think you can click on Contact Poster and I'll get the message somehow! Or you can email me at [email protected] and I know I'll get it!

The surgeon was specialised in this procedure and you can't even tell he's had it done honest.

imtheonlyone - at such a young age the foreskin will be attached and it is the detachment prcess rather then the cutting off of the piece of foreskin that causes the real pain.

The preputioplasty (you can Google Wikipedia and other sites but it is a bt graphic) is an alternative but our DSs consultant said it is not applicable in all cases and he told us it really impossible to tell until the patient is under anesthetic and a proper examination can be made. We had to give him permission to do either a full circumcision or preputioplasty as he saw fit once the operation began.

DS is absolutely fine now and it is not a pleasant operation but repeatedly seeing him in pain with puss dripping out of the end of penis and a roaring kidney infection was pretty bad too.

read this page

'Ballooning of the Foreskin
Ballooning of the foreskin while urinating can be a normal phase of development during childhood. It is not an indication for circumcision. Ballooning is a temporary phenomenon that arises when the foreskin begins to separate from the glans. It speeds the process of separation and disappears when the process is complete.
Phimosis'

also on that website

'[CIRP note: Ballooning of the foreskin now (2006) is considered to be a sign that separation of the foreskin from the underlying glans penis is proceeding normally. It is not a cause for concern. Ballooning is a normal stage of development. Ballooning will stop when the opening of the foreskin enlarges with normal growth and development over a period of time.] Will nurses and doctors take note?'

and this

If you do a google search - loads of info saying it is a normal thing and is just the foreskin starting to separate from the glans and will stop once that process is complete

Thank you for all your replies ... I am no expert on this ... but is the foreskin litterally the end bit that covers the tip of the penis??? His whole penis balloons when he wees .... it is literally like a water bomb before the pressure build up is so much that it pretty much 'explodes' out of him and in any random direction!!! Makes for messy times on the toilet and he gets quite upset about it too!

the foreskin is the whole skin covering the penis. This is adhered to the glans (head) of the penis at birth and gradually loosens over time - maybe not until early teens.