3yr old DS might need to be circumcised ? Am really worried about it. Any advice welcome..

[Singstar]

Just got back from second trip to drs in 3months with my DS who has been having trouble with weeing cos his foreskin is too tight. He's a very proud little man and has stopped us from coming to the toilet with him as he gets so embarrassed when his wee sprays all over the place (sorry about all the details !!) and now he's calling himself disgusting
The dr is referring him and has suggested an operation is the best thing. I don't want him to be in pain or embarrassed obviously but I'm worried about him having an operation. Has anyone else been through this - advice please !!

My sister's son had this. It was a v. minor procedure. Back at home he called my sis into the bathroom, she went running in thinking something awful was happening and he's standing there saying 'Mum, look, it's fantastic - it's like a fountain!' So definitely worth doing I think.

Phew ! Thank you Been looking on internet and doesn't seem that bad,think I was just being a panicky mum !

Hi

My ds (nearly 4) has the same problem only his foreskin swells up like balloon before he urinates

we were seen by a specialist who said that they wouldn't operate till he was at least 6 as this often resolves itself and the foreskin loosens on its own

we were told we would be seen again when he's 5 to check that it was getting better and to leave it alone basically

sorry to hear this upsets your ds, mines doesn't realise yet that this is anything unusual but we do have a few accidents with spraying everywhere at times

My nephew had the same problem as nicsnigsnags DS and was operated on when he was 5 after my sister explained how it was very difficult for him at school. It was quite the non-event in the end though...my sister was panicking for weeks beforehand and he just sailed through without a peep.

Definately worse for the parents I think!

Singstar - DS2 is having it done for exactly the same reason in a few months time. DW and I are thinking there is really no alternative and his entire life will be imeasurably better for it as he will no longer get infections.

Always a bit worrying to have a child go through an operation but we are trying to be brave but still worrying - just like you are. DS2 is very proud of the fact he is having an operation though and goes round school telling everyone including the teachers that he is having it done soon. He spares no one any of the details .

When DS1 had grommits fitted my DW refused to go to the hospital as she found it to upsetting but I felt fine until I saw DS1 laying on the operating table after he had the anaesthetic injection. He had just gone to sleep and the surgeon said " you can kiss him if you want to before you go". I had so many tears in my eyes I could barely find the door out of the operating theatre.

igivein - good to hear of a reassuring experience.

My Ds was done at 7 and he still thanks me for getting it done today at almost 11. Best thing that he could've had done IMO/E. It doesn't take that long in theatre, but every mum(apparently)gets upset as they leave their child under anaesthetic ~ I think it was worse for me than for Ds and yes, it is a little sore for them afterwards, but soon heals and their relief when they wee straight is very rewarding.

This is a problem that often resolves itself. Their foreskin should be quite tight at that age,and this is relatively common.

I'd discuss trying a steroid cream before resorting to surgery for a condition that may not be an issue for much longer.

A second opinion may also be an idea as circumcision is very rarely truly necessary.

Now I will say that this is a biased site but there is some good information about the condition and alternatives to circumcision.

www.norm-uk.org/phimosis_clinical_guidelines.html