GP not being very helpful regarding Circumcision

[Debster7808]

I went to see the GP recently at the first check-up after DS2 was born, and I said that because DS1 was circumcised (-he was born in US, where it kind of gets done as a routine just after boys are born-), we wanted to get DS2 done as well, while he's still a newborn. I was really surprised when the GP tried to talk me out of getting it done, which means that I'm a bit lost as to where next to turn to get this done. I can understand that circumcision isn't available on the NHS, which is fine, but if I want to go private, don't I need a GP referral? Should I just seek a second GP's opinion?
Anyone have any experience of getting their boys circumcised in a culture that generally doesn't do it?

I know it is different because I didn't 'choose' to have him circumcised but nevertheless he is circumcised and so are many, many men for medical reasons. I know three other boys who have the same procedure for medical reasons. You would not find a thread about mastectomy saying breast removal leaves a disgusting, unpleasant to look at result and yet those of us whose sons/husbands have been circumcised do have to endure these comments.

Oh but it's ok because people only mean the end result is repellant (which is going to look the same - whichever reason you have it done for) when you choose to have it done

I don't think I ever said the end result is barbaric....only the action.

And only when done without medical reason.

Giganticus - you're being ridiculous. People are reacting to posts where the OP and supporters are saying that circumcised penises are more attractive than uncircumcised and using that as a valid argument to have the operation.

There are so many men who are circumcised that it's not going to cause your DS any problems. The only problem will be is if he decides to circumcise his sons in future because he thinks it's more attractive.

I've had surgery on my ear and no, it's not actually as attractive as normal ears but you know, I just live with it. It's that or not being able to hear properly. Get over yourself.

I'm being ridiculous and need to get over myself because some people are describing my son's anatomy as mutilated and disgusting (and yes, I mean the look of his circumcised penis not the process of circumcision) - and I politely express my upset and opinions on the matter. Oh yes, I reeeahhlly need to get over myself

Anyway I can see there is only room for those holding pitchforks and torches here so I shall leave to tuck my perfectly gorgeous DS into bed.

GB - yes, you are, you're looking for offence when there are very few posts on the thread that have derided CP. I agree that some people have been a little OTT in trying to explain why they find an unmutilated penis more attractive but yes you are. Trust me, my mutilated ear is tuned into this type of argument. And you know what? I couldn't give a stuff. My ear works.

There is nothing wrong with circumcised penises AT ALL.
Only the process of doing it without reason.
I think GB makes a good point - it won't help men who do need to be circumcised if the backlash against circumcision makes the penis itself be seen as a bad thing in a cut state. These are real men and boys, and shouldn't feel second best with or without a foreskin.
As I say I have done my field research. A foreskin leaves more options, but in the huge imaginative world of good sex it is hardly the biggest deal, and a foreskin wouldn't be worth prioritising over health problems such as recurrent balinitis etc. Not at all.
I say as the test pilot, not the owner

I think GB does have a bit of a point - the vehemence of anti-circ comments can make for extremely uncomfortable reading when you have a child who has to be circumcised for medical reasons.

That said, having a circumcised (for medical reasons) son and a non-circ DH I do have absolutely no truck with the 'he will look different from his dad' type arguments thrown out in favour of circumcision. Do people really believe that? Because if so that is just as vile as some of the comments which have upset GB. My son looks different from his dad and there's absolutely sod all we can do about it!

I can't say I noticed any comments deriding the look of a cut penis.

The mutilation comments were in respect of the act; I suppose you could extrapolate to say that the penis then looks mutilated but no one did, that I remember. My DH is circumcised as well - it doesn't look any better or worse than any other penis (they're all pretty much like turkey giblets anyway, cut or not), just different.

Why would anyone deride a boy or man for having a cut penis anyway? It's hardly their fault, this is exactly the argument many have used against circumcision at birth - they had no choice. And similarly if it's done for medical reasons - no choice. So it's stupid to deride any man for it - as much as it would be to deride them for having an appendectomy scar, for example.

Doesn't stop the procedure being pretty horrific and regarded as unnecessary; but it's not as mutilating as female circumcision.

Did anyone actually say that they think circumcised penises are more attractive? I certainly don't have an opinion on that either way. BUT as another fellow test-pilot (now retired), I can say that I have encountered ZERO problems (appearance or performance wise) with the circumcised penis and have heard no issues of regret or sorrow from their adult owners. When DH and I were considering how to proceed with regards to our sons, we took many factors into account. Some of those factors included our children's peer group, health factors (witnessing the health experiences of close family members), ease of care and our GPs advice on the subject. Appearance was certainly not at the top of that list. We did what we thought was best for our sons with all the tools and resources we had at our disposal at that time.

The hatred, vitriol and accusations displayed on this thread are reminiscent of those pro-life campaigns that cherry-pick the worst statistics and anecdotal evidence that actually end up doing a tragic disservice to women. I think some of you are forgetting that OP has an older son that is circumcised and many of the comments on this thread are deeply spiteful and cruel. As much as I believe in your right to express your opinions, I'm not going to engage with any of the torch-bearers any further... I've made myself extremely vulnerable by sharing my family's experience but I really hope some of you tone down the disdain in future as you are, after all, opining to real people.

Popsbiscuit - I didn't earlier discuss relative attractiveness, no; but noticeable reduction in performance, definitely. Not just me either.

The OP said that she thought a circumcised penis looks ncer and tidier

....or NINJA even.

GiganticusBottomus

If someone posted that were going to get their girls breast cut off, with little to no pain relief, for no reason, then yes, I would say that is barbaric.

As is circumcising a baby/child for no medical reason

Comparing a medically needed procedure to that of a non is missing the point. No one has criticized the end result, just the action