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Parenting

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Original poster

Circumcision 'high school age son'

19 replies

CarpetDiem · 22/05/2016 15:22

Does anyone have experience of their DS being circumcised for medical reasons (adhered foreskin/ ballooning when urinating)? My DS is due to go in to hospital this wk for an op. The consultant has offered to do a 'foreskin reconstruction' at the same time "it's up to you". I have been trying to research it online etc & guide my DS to make an informed decision but there is not much information on it. DS has said 'what ever looks the most normal!' Obs lots of boys have a circumcised penis & lots don't, he's getting a bit stressed about it. Has anyone's Partner or DS had a foreskin reconstruction & have there been any problems with it?

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petmyunicorn · 22/05/2016 15:25

Ballooning is normal and happens when the foreskin starts to separate from the glans. Adhesions shouldn't be an issue unless the foreskin was repeatedly forced back from the glans before it was ready. Have you gotten a second opinion?

If you feel the doctor is correct, definitely opt for a foreskin reconstruction. It will help with future sexual function and pleasure for your son and his partners.

Original poster

CarpetDiem · 22/05/2016 15:38

Thanks for replying, unfortunately his penis is completely irritractable and practically sealed at the end. It has a scar where DS attempted to pull it back unsuccessfully & tore the skin- this over healed.

Do you know if a foreskin reconstruction will look unusual? As that seems to be what DS is most concerned about.

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Fourormore · 22/05/2016 15:54

Sorry to hijack - pet - you sound like you know what you're talking about here. My son has been repeatedly treated for phimosis and balanitis and the GP says it should be left alone but the consultants advice has been to stretch and retract the foreskin. My instinct is more to trust the GP than the consultant. Do I just ask the GP for a second consultant opinion? I don't want to inadvertently cause more damage.

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Original poster

CarpetDiem · 22/05/2016 16:44

How old is your DS four? We waited til DS was 12 before seeing a Urologist, I have another DS so thought initially it would sort it's self out but it didn't. Google your Consultant & read their experience. Mine is very experience and an expert in his field so I trust him fully, but the foreskin reconstruction thing is "personal" choice. I do not know anyone who has had this done & that is my DS and I's dilemma.

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Daisyandbabies · 23/05/2016 02:22

I wouldn't have it reconstructed. No foreskin is pretty normal and in countries like US and Canada, so normal that my friend was made fun of in the shower in school for still having a foreskin. Cleaner, too

Original poster

CarpetDiem · 23/05/2016 09:03

Thanks for replying Daisy. I got on to a Men's Health board on circumcision last night & the majority of those who had it done as adults were happy with the result. I have been worried about potentially ruining my DSs future sex life & they put my mind as ease over that

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suitsyousir79 · 23/05/2016 09:08

Having a foreskin is not necessarily cleaner than not. Ive had a foreskin since birth, and never had any issues with cleanliness!

suitsyousir79 · 23/05/2016 09:36

*uncleaner

MrSnow · 23/05/2016 09:38

I had it happen to me when I was 13.

Can I just say, what ever you do, keep it under your hat. When I got home from hospital, the neighbour from 3 doors up had made me a cage from some old coathangers, I almost died with embarassment.

Reconstruction? Really? It's good to be a roundhead.

willconcern · 23/05/2016 09:43

My ex was circumcised. It definitely made no difference whatsoever to sexual function. It looked fine. I wouldn't go for reconstruction - why undergo more surgery than actually necessary?

Original poster

CarpetDiem · 23/05/2016 10:36

Thanks for your input Guys! I'll let him read this thread after school tonight. A coat hanger cage you say? I might try that...

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FreedomMummy · 23/05/2016 16:04

My DH was circumcised just over 2 years ago for medical reasons and he didn't have a reconstruction. In fact he wasn't even offered it. Our sex life has not suffered at all. There have been no adverse effects.

Original poster

CarpetDiem · 23/05/2016 16:20

Thank you freedom

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SecretSpy · 23/05/2016 16:24

My DH had it done as an adult for medical reasons. We were together before it was done, it's been fine. Better than the issues he was having, certainly.

sianihedgehog · 23/05/2016 16:28

An old friend of mine had it done as an adult and was perfectly content with his circumcised penis but did say that it had significantly reduced the sensitivity of his penis. Personally, I think that not reconstructing it if reconstruction is available would be very odd. It'd be like having your outer ear removed and deciding not to have it rebuilt. It'd be fine if reconstruction was particularly expensive or onerous but if it's free and easy why on earth wouldn't you take it?

isthatpoisontoo · 23/05/2016 16:35

My DH had it done for medical reasons when he was about 18, and wishes he'd been offered circumcision as a teenager when it first became a problem. He wasn't offered reconstruction. He says, even without the medical reasons, he's really happy to be circumcised, and is glad he did it. No loss of sensitivity at all, in case you're worried about that.

Original poster

CarpetDiem · 23/05/2016 21:21

Thank you isthat, sian & secret

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2catsnowaiting · 25/05/2016 17:08

Dh had it done as a kid (circumcision for medical reasons not reconstruction) I wasn't even aware until he actually told me! Definitely makes no difference to sexual function or feeling!

petmyunicorn · 25/05/2016 21:07

The average age when a boy can retract is only around ten or eleven. Many before this, and many after. Some never fully retract, and still no curcumsicion is necessary.

Leave it alone. Don't try to retract, don't coach him to retract. Boys will likely be having a fiddle anyway and discover it! Retracting too soon does cause adhesions and problems.

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