r/circumcision • u/Ok-Syrup-2056 • Jan 28 '24
Post Op Final: my experience of circumcision NSFW Spoiler
Hello!
I've been reading this subreddit for a long time and have appreciated the information shared by others. It helped make my decision to get circumcised so I thought I'd do my bit and share!
Further information below, but I've included as images:
A graph of my daily personal ratings /10 for hypersensitivity, swelling and bruising from Day 1-40;
Photos/collage of my penis to show pre- and post-op plus recovery through to Day 40; and,
Photos comparing my erection before & after circumcision
Background: I'm in my late 20's living in London. Job is WFH/office-based and I'd consider myself healthy (i.e. exercise 4 days/week).
Reasoning: I visited the Urologist in September 2023 after having tight foreskin which could retract when flaccid. I was clean and able to have sex/masturbate, but sometimes during sex it could get stuck behind the head so thought I'd see what a medical professional would suggest.
I was prescribed a potent steroid cream for 4 weeks which didn't work so I proceeded with the circumcision.
Cost: I'm lucky to have private medical insurance. My deductible (i.e. what I actually paid) was £100/$125. The total amount paid by my insurer was £4,000/$5,000 which covers the cost of the procedure, anaesthetist, initial, pre- and post-consultations, stay as a day patient etc.
Procedure: I went to a private hospital in London as a day patient. I had the procedure under general anaesthetic which some say is overkill, but I'm glad as it was a very pleasant experience. I was in and out within ~6 hrs. No recollection of anything in the procedure, I was chatting to the anaesthetist and then suddenly I was awake in my room. After proving I could urinate without issue, I got a black cab home.
Aftercare: The hospital provided me with gauzes and Normasol sachets to clean my penis when at home. I kept it wrapped for 3 days as instructed by my doctor. After that, I either wore my normal underwear or tried to keep it out.
Stitches began to fall out for me at Day 16 and then were all gone by Day 19. They were the dissolving stitches that I could just pull at and they'd come out very easily. There would be significant resistance if they weren't ready in which case I left it.
I began to use scar sheets/Vitamin E oil from Day 22 as instructed by others here. Will continue to do so for another month or so.
My final check-up on Day 40 with the Urologist was positive. The doctor commented on there still being some swelling, but said it will go down in the next few months.
Experience:
I was told to take paracetamol if needed (aka Tylenol for Americans) but didn't have to.
Sleeping was difficult for the first few days because I sleep on my front normally and couldn't. After a few days, I started to get erections in the night which were uncomfortable but not enough to keep me up.
Day 1 - 3: Kept it in a gauze and did minimal activity so generally felt 'normal'
Day 4: Removed gauze and peak swelling (see pics), definitely beginning to feel uncomfortable.
Day 4 - 7: Couldn't walk without significant discomfort, very sensitive.
Day 8 - 12: Every day felt better, swelling going down. Still sensitive in clothing but just uncomfortable.
Day 12 - 18: Starting to remember what it was like to be 'normal' and pre-op
Day 19 - 22: Negligible changes and pretty much back to normal, slightly aware of sensitivity
Day 23 - 40+: Feel normal and life back to usual.
Day 22: Exercised for the first time since the procedure.
Day 22: Scar sheets during the day, Vitamin E oil at night.
Day 31: Had sex, felt 1000% better. Zero loss to sensitivity.
Summary: I wish I had done it sooner. Very very happy overall.
Let me know if any questions or information omitted. Overall, I am so grateful to have done the procedure and wished I had done it sooner.
Ps shout out to the fantastic nurses Lucy & Jodie (though they'll never see this!)
