Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

has anyone had their son circumcised?

22 replies

cutekids · 03/07/2006 20:51

took my son to the doctor as he has a lump on his willy.(have done another thread on this).it's been a month since we discovered it and doc told me to bring him back if no change. anyway, did that today and he examined it and he said,"if it's anything sinister, i'll be gobsmacked"....! and "i'd lay big money on it being nothing to worry about"...! think he thought he was putting my mind at rest but , until i know what it is, i'm not going to settle.anyway, he told me today that he thinks my son might need circumcision as his foreskin is very tight and that he can't really tell what the lump is until it's been drawn back. i'm a nervous wreck.how am i going to cope for the next (approx according to the doctor) eight weeks or so?anyone ever had a similar experience?

OP posts:

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:02

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 03/07/2006 21:04

bump

tissy · 03/07/2006 21:05

how old is he?

little boys can get lumps of smegma collecting under the foreskin, if it doesn't retract. That's probably all it is.

Assume the 8 weeks' wait is for a hospital appointment?

saadia · 03/07/2006 21:06

No experience of the lump but both my dss have been circumcised for religious reasons. How old is your ds?

tissy · 03/07/2006 21:07

some foreskin info!

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:09

he's seven years old.
the lump his half way up his penis.
everything i've read about smegma seems to indicate that it's usually nearer the tip.
doctor said it felt quite soft-the lump.
i didn't even know the foreskin was supposed to have retracted by now.
have to wait for a letter to find out when appointment is (doctor told me i could be waiting until about september but i think i'm going to go out of my mind...i keep crying.)

OP posts:

jabberwocky · 03/07/2006 21:10

I thought that "foreskin very tight" thing was considered outdated as a reason for circumcision.

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:14

what i can't figure out is that nobody i know who has a son has ever mentioned retracting their foreskins. i feel a bit thick aswell as upset.i even asked my hubbie and he didn't seem to know what it was all about either! our kids have a shower every night/morning (depending on time!) and i presumed i was keeping him clean down below aswell. just feel frightened at the moment...it's the fear of the unknown.

OP posts:

jabberwocky · 03/07/2006 21:16

How old is he? I've been told that some boys are not "retractable" until around puberty. I've been told that ds has a tight foreskin but it's not something I'm concerned about.

jabberwocky · 03/07/2006 21:17

Sorry. Just saw that he is 7. I still wouldn't be that bothered and would exhaust all options before opting for circumcision. That seems to be quite a drastic measure.

tissy · 03/07/2006 21:22

I think there are two issues here; the tight foreskin- no problem, ignore it for now, and the lump. You are going to worry and worry about it until you get the hospital appointment, whatever anyone on here says.

Suggest you find out who your GP has written to, phone his or her secretary, explain your worries, and say that you would be willing to take a cancellation at short notice, if it will get you a quicker appointment. School holiday time is coming up, and the children's clinics will be pretty quiet. If other parents have bothered to cancel their appointments, rather than just not turning up, you may get lucky. Bear in mind that the surgeon may ahev kids too, and take time off over summer, so don't pin all your hopes on getting in earlier.

monkey · 03/07/2006 21:24

2 of mine have been circumcised, both had very tight foreskins that couldn't be retracted. BUT they were circumcised because they kept getting recurrent infections, not because it was tight iyswim.

puddingz · 03/07/2006 21:31

Big hugz
Please try not to worry, (stupid thing to say I know) wait until your appointment to get all of your answers. My ds was 5 when he has his done. The foreskin wasn't retracting (like yours my dh wasn't a fountain of wisdom) and started to hurt him. At the hospital appointment the consultant gave us steriod cream to soften it and some gently manipulation exercises. That didn't work so eventually we went for the op. It really was a last resort option but one which we haven't regretted for a single moment. Good Luck!

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:43

thanks all for that.
i know i'm going to have my "up" times and my "down"times.
was wondering whether to get a private consultation.or does that mean i have to go private all the way if - god forbid!- there is a problem?

OP posts:

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:50

OP posts:

TooTicky · 03/07/2006 21:53

I'd have a chat with a homoeopath if I was you. Conventional medicine is not the only way, or the best in many cases. Homoeopathy is very non-invasive. Good luck!

Original poster

cutekids · 03/07/2006 21:56

for my son?

OP posts:

TooTicky · 03/07/2006 21:59

Yes, for your son. Seek out a classical homoeopath - if you're in the south or southwest I can recommend some. Homoeopathy is more far-reaching and effective than most people realise when it is used properly.

fistfullofnappies · 03/07/2006 22:33

cutekids - dont worry. It really is nothing. Both my sons were done, as small boys. It was over in a flash, they didnt even go to hospital, and the amount of skin removed was tiny. They were swimming in the sea only a few days later.
if he has to have it done, get some long shirts for him to wear for a few days (no pants) until its healed, and comfort yourself...loads of women think its sexier...

Original poster

cutekids · 04/07/2006 14:11

to be honest, although it worries me a little bit, the circumcision bit isn't my big worry. it's the lump. just so panicky about it.

yes, i've actually "seen"....! a circumcised one and it was actually quite nice looking for a penis!

OP posts:

HappyMumof2 · 04/07/2006 14:33

Message withdrawn

foxinsocks · 04/07/2006 15:30

I wouldn't panic till you've seen the consultant. More than likely that they will explore other options first (for the foreskin). As for the lump, as someone else suggested, phone the secretary and ask for a cancellation appointment - as for private, find out who you have been referred to on the NHS, keep your NHS appointment but find out if the consultant does private clinics and if so, book a private appointment. That way, if he needs to see your ds again, you can keep the NHS appointment.

Flip