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Circumcision

4 replies

LemonEmmaP · 05/02/2013 12:05

In a little under three weeks, DS (age 9) will be getting circumsized.

I guess I need to put the disclaimer up front as I know how circumcision threads can go. This isn't something we're entering into lightly; we first sought advice three years ago, and advice at the time was to 'wait and see', and get DS to try to pull the skin back gently in the hope things would loosen naturally. However, we felt that there was no significant improvement so sought a further opinion just before Christmas, and the advice is that DS should be circumsized as it is likely he will experience problems when he is older. I accept this is a 'maybe' but would far prefer that he has the op now pre-puberty, rather than risk the likelihood of problems that may occur later.

Right, so on to my questions. Specifically I am hoping for any hints, tips and advice from others whose sons have been circumsized, particularly at around this age (9 years).

I don't even know what to expect at the hospital - I assume the op will be done under GA? If so, do I stay with him until he goes under?

What about afterwards - does anyone have advice to offer on how to help DS deal with the healing? He is terribly dramatic about all things medical, so I anticipate a fair amount of wailing and gnashing, which I will have to look past to see if there are real problems or things we can do to help.

Just to add in to the mix, we're off on holiday for two weeks, so his op is the first day after we return. In many ways I'm glad of that, as it saves time spent agonising (for him and me!). But it does mean that if I need any medical supplies in, I need to get them before we go.

Ok, I'm going to hit post and hope.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
lljkk · 05/02/2013 17:21

Hospital can best answer a lot of those questions.
Good luck :).

shrimponastick · 05/02/2013 17:28

My DS had to have this done at the same age. His foreskin had no chance of retracting, very tight.

All went well.

Day surgery unit. General anaesthetic. Home before teatime.

He had a couple of days watching tv om the sofa, didn't complain of much pain.

He is 15 now, so I can't remember the finer details.

Quite a common op.

Hope he is okay.

Debster7808 · 05/02/2013 20:11

Hi OP, I just wanted to wish you and your son good luck.
I'm afraid I don't know what it's like for a boy to go through circumcision at the age of nine, as both my boys were circumcised while they were still babies. At least I can say with them was that it was not as bad as I had expected.
My husband and my boys are all happy as they are, and they never feel like they are missing anything down there. Although your son might feel a bit uncomfortable for a few weeks while it heals, I hope he develops a positive body image. Just tell him that millions of men are circumcised. In fact, most American males are circumcised. Tell him to pick a favourite American Hollywood star, and then say that he's most likely to be circumcised too! Maybe that might help him look on the positive side? :-)

Suzannesee · 09/02/2013 09:50

Emma - I PMd you - see your in box Icon lit at top of page

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