Anyones DS had circumcision, for medical reasons? Pros and cons please

[cheekychopsmum]

My 13 month old is dus to have a circumcision at the doctors request, but I am having doubts and don't know whether to wait and see. Have an appointment to go back and speak to doc about my concerns, so want to be armed. But also want to hear from anyone who was happy with the procedure and has not had any complications since?

I'm very grateful, thanks

what are the medical reasons for the op, if you dont mind me asking?

What are the reasons?

I know of someone who had serious complications due to such an operation not being done when he was young (it was eventually done when he was in his 20s). It would have been much better (recovery-wise) if it had been done when he was younger.

I first noticed his willy ballooning when he was 5 months (and it has continued to do so) and saw paed sortly after and then refered to Urologist, who first advised us to stretch the foreskin back (even though this meant it spliting and bleeding). He did it there and then and told us to keep it up couple of times a day for a couple of months. When I came to try doing it, I just couldn't. The skin was so tight and it was painful. So made appointment to go back and he said it would need circumcision then.

My little brother had one when he was 4 or 5. He is 21 now!! His was an infection problem I think?

It's caused him no problems and the op was very quick and easy. In fact, him and his girlfriend have just had a baby!

If you are worried, speak to the doctor further.

I am not going to get into the pro/con argument of circumcision but my son had to have this done at age 7, not for any other reason apart from medical. I sought a second opinion but, again, it was recommended. He had balinitis (I think it was called) - scarring on the foreskin from repeated infections. It was treated as fungal (when it was bacterial) and as bacterial (when it was fungal). The operation was very quick and his recovery was very fast. He has had no further infections and now age 12 (13 next week) he is absolutely fine about his penis, its functions and its capability as a working organ

Sounds like he needs it. Good luck.

from what I have read ballooning is not a problem unless he is having infections from it. It is part of the process of the forekin seperating from the penis.

ballooning of the foreskin

From here

Ballooning of the Foreskin

Ballooning of the foreskin while urinating is normal in young boys. 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.

Why I'm confused about what to do is because he hasn't had any infections and it doesn't cause him any discomfort (as far as I can tell). Last week MNetters provided me with some reading material, very much against circumcision for ballooning/tight foreskin, saying this is normal and will sort its self out naturally. Therefore I am left worried about what to do because I don't want to put my son through a GA if it isn't nessasary.

I am going back to the doctor to dicuss further, but have a feeling he will either get defensive or say leaveit and wait and see. But I agree with Chaotica and think if it needs sorting out, I'd rather get it don't whilst he is young and won't remember it, plus any other complications. Hence why I want a balance of views before I see doc.

Cheers

Anyone else out there with advice, I have to make decision soon?