Adult Circumcision What to Expect Before, During and After the Procedure
For decades, circumcising infant males has been something of a norm in the United States. However, in more recent years, many parents have elected not to have this procedure performed on their newborns. In most cases, there is no medical advantage to being circumcised; rather, it has been typically carried out as a matter of tradition. However, in certain cases, men may decide as adults that circumcision is necessary; this is often done as a solution for phimosis (a foreskin that will not retract normally) or as a matter of cosmetic preference. For men who decide to undergo this procedure, it is important to know what to expect before, during and after surgery, as well as how to guidelines for penis care may not only help to reduce loss of sensitivity, but even put the zing back in a man’s step.
Before the procedure
Men are generally admitted to the hospital on the same day as the procedure; they will typically meet with their doctor for consultation and testing. In general, men will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to surgery.
In terms of anesthesia, there are several options available, including general anesthesia (where the patient will be fully unconscious during the procedure), a spinal anesthesia (which eliminates sensation from the waist downward) or a local anesthetic injected into the penis. A local anesthetic like this may also be used to control pain after the surgery.
During surgery
The procedure itself is fairly simple. The surgeon will make an incision directly behind the head of the penis and remove the foreskin, leaving the glans completely exposed. The incision will then be closed with stitches, which will slowly be absorbed by the body; in other words, no second visit will be required to remove them.
After the procedure
Once the surgery is complete, the patient will be observed for a short time; in most cases, he should be able to go home on the same day. Urologists will usually instruct their patients to apply Vaseline or another prescribed ointment to the area. This will prevent clothing from sticking to the incisions, potentially re-opening the healing tissue. Non-binding clothing should be worn if possible.
Pain in the following days may be managed with painkillers - whether prescription or over-the-counter. Urination should not pose a problem, as the tissue surrounding the urinary opening (urethra) will not be affected. Men may need to wait several weeks before engaging in masturbation or any other sexual activity to avoid disrupting the healing process.
Ongoing concerns and appropriate penis care
One of the greatest concerns men may have about circumcision is the potential for loss of penile sensation. It is easy to find anecdotes online about men who have had the procedure, either in infancy or later in life, and who complain about loss of sensitivity. On the other hand, there has been a considerable body of scientific research reporting little to no difference in sensation in circumcised and uncircumcised men.
What is for certain is that adequate penis care going forward after the procedure can improve the outcome, as well as protecting and preserving overall penile health. It is important that men follow the instructions given by their surgeon in the days and weeks following surgery. Once the incision has healed and the stitches have been absorbed, daily treatment with a top-drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is advised. A quality product that is fortified with targeted nutrients, emollients and antioxidants can protect the penis from environmental damage, improve the look and feel of the skin, and even boost sensation in men who have experienced some degree of sensitivity loss.
