Are you contemplating taking your newborn to a circumcision clinic for the cut? Or, do you think now is the time for you to get circumcised as an adult? Whichever the case, it is always ideal to equip yourself with the right information about circumcision so that you have reasonable expectations before, during, and after the procedure. In this piece, we will go into detail about what you can expect from a circumcision procedure. The expectations vary slightly but are mostly the same for both infants and adults. Keep reading to find out more!
What is circumcision?
Circumcision simply refers to the surgical removal of the skin that usually covers the tip of the penis. It is an ancient practice that dates back to biblical times, and though it has always been done for religious purposes, new science and research have given it a lot of credence and most parents now opt for it for its supposed health benefits.
Usually, it is performed just after a few days or months after birth, though you could also have it performed during your adult years. In some cases, there are certain medical conditions that may require male circumcision as a remedy.
How to prepare for circumcision
If you want the best results from a circumcision procedure, then you need to adequately prepare for it. Normally, it is a simple procedure that can be completed within a few hours, but this doesn’t mean that you should be casual about it. As part of the preparation, you need to talk with your doctor about it.
If it is for your baby, then you can do this with a pediatrician, a family doctor, or a neonatologist. The goal of such a consultation is so that the doctor can explain the risks and the benefits of the procedure. Furthermore, it offers a chance to have all your concerns and queries addressed before you commit to the procedure. After the consultation, if you choose to proceed with the circumcision, you will schedule an appointment for the procedure.
What happens during circumcision?
When performed by a qualified surgeon, such as in a circumcision clinic in Montreal, the actual procedure may often only take a few minutes after all the initial preparations are done. If the procedure is being done on newborns, they will mostly be awake during the entire process.
The doctor will place them on their backs and use some form of restraints such as Velcro bands to keep their legs and arms still during the procedure.
The doctor will then use an antiseptic to clean the penis area. They will then apply topical anesthesia or simply inject an anesthetic to the base of the penis to numb the area and ease the pain. In some instances, the doctor may choose to use a pain reliever cream instead.
After the penile area is cleaned and numbed, the surgeon has a choice of three different clamps or plastic rings that they can use for the actual procedure – the Mogen clamp, the Plastibell device, and the Gomco clamp.
The surgeon will attach the ring or the clamp to the penis and then use it to clip off the excess foreskin that is due for removal. After the excess foreskin is clipped off, the ring will remain in position and will normally fall off later. The doctor will then apply an ointment like petroleum jelly to the penile area before wrapping it in gauze.
This procedure may sometimes be over in less than half an hour. If it is done the proper way, then you and your baby should be ready to go home after just a few hours following the procedure.
What to expect after the circumcision
Following the procedure, the baby may appear irritable and fuzzy. It is recommended that while you carry them, you should be extra careful so that you don’t exert excess pressure on the penile region.
The tip of the penis may also appear sore and swollen, but this will most likely reduce within the coming days. For complete healing, it may take between seven and ten days after the procedure.
Baby circumcision care
For faster and proper healing, here are some of the things you should do after coming from the circumcision clinic:
Keep the penile area clean
Proper hygiene is one of the most important care routines for baby circumcision. Be sure to change diapers every day, gently cleaning the area to get rid of any bits of fecal matter that may be present in the area.
For cleaning, use a soft gauze and warm water to gently dab the area, and allow it time to completely dry before covering it lightly with a soft material.
Keep it protected
After the surgery, you are likely to go home with the penile area covered with a bandage with petroleum jelly. This may, however, fall off the next time the baby pees. Based on the recommendation of your doctor, you may have to keep some sort of dressing on the penile region until healing is achieved.
Keep an eye out for proper healing
Normally, you will see the tip of the circumcised penis turn a little red. It is also normal to see yellowish oozing coming from the affected region – this is an indication that the body is sending healing fluids to the area. You may also see tiny drops of blood on the baby’s diaper.
However, if the bleeding persists, or the redness gets worse three to five days after the procedure, then you may have to see a doctor for a follow-up.
Also, if the yellow discharge lasts for more than one week, and you notice what appears to be excessive swelling in the penile region, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.
