Foreskin problems/BXO/circumcision

[PinkCrystal]

Hi all, I have a son, 7, he has had severe balantitis and ended up with scarring (BXO). This has caused an already tight foreskin to be even tighter. He has ballooning and sometimes has to go back for a wee. But on the whole he is fine.

We tried steroids after visiting a GP. 2 GPs thought he would end up with circumcision. The steroids didn't help.

Have now been to urology and been told to carry on with steroids and scar massage/stretching etc and if this fails (4 months) will need circumcision.

I guess am just after speaking to others whatever the outcome was. I am nervous about surgery and of him being different. Have read so much anti circ stuff. I also worry he will be teased and what I will say to the other mums. I know it's silly when his health is all that matters but as I have older children too I know what can happen and kids be teased for.

A circumcision obviously isn't a pleasant procedure but if it's medically required then it's required. I'd be more concerned about him being different in his current condition with, to be frank, an unusable penis. He's having urination problems, just wait until puberty and erections. Sex is not going to be possible for him.

The older you let him get, the worse the operation and the longer the recovery.

I'm concerned about you being worried about what to tell other mums why would you tell them anything?! And about him looking different what does that even mean? Who will know? And many children require medical circumcisions now, not to mention the cruel non medical. It's a circumcision, not some dirty, horrible, shameful, unnecessary thing

You don't need to say anything to other mums.
Men don't seem to worry about who is circumcised and who isn't. Not that unusual.
For what it's worth my DH was circumcised when he was 10 for similar reasons as your son. Said he remembers the painful Uti's .

My son had it done at 7 for the same reasons, he was so much happier afterwards. 17 now and glad he had it done while young.
I once casually mentioned it to a mum whose son was also having it done and it turned out that about 5 boys in my son's class had also had it done for similar reasons.

Hi and thanks for all replies. My 'concern' with the other mums was purely if they asked why DS was off school for a week or so. I am just worried (yes, probably ridiculously) if it gets around DS may be teased with it being a 'private area' thing. Like I said, my older kids were bullied for all kinds of reasons and DS is so very sensitive. It's nobody's business though so I don't need to explain at all.

The urologist wanted to 'give it a really good try' with the steroid and massage although he didn't look totally sure it would work. So I went with his advice.

Any other experiences welcome.

My son had this and the medic we saw was of the opinion that the creams, stretching etc would be unlikely to work and would only prolong ds' agony - and he really was suffering. So he was circumcised age 6 and it was all fine. He has one Jewish and one Muslim uncle so got
some reassurance from them, and no bother from other kids (he's now 10)

Thanks Lemon, that is very reassuring.