[ ARC forum 2 ]

Re: Phimosis since childhood, my story

Written by EBT at 09 May 2004 04:16:19:

As an answer to: Re: Phimosis since childhood, my story written by Greg at 08 May 2004 21:47:56:

>I'd be interested to hear details of the surgery, before and after. What
>actually happens, do they put you to sleep?
Yes, I was put to sleep. I was examined by a surgeon, some time before the actual operation, so that he could determine what should be done. He told me that such operations was usually done with local anaesthetics, refer to David_R's reply on how this is carried out. The surgeon said that I could also be put to sleep, and I preferred it that way.
I guess that may differ from country to country, and perhaps also from hospital to hospital.
My general health was also checked. Heart rate, blood pressure etc. Much of this was probably done because I was going to be put to sleep.
I arrived at the hospital at the day of the surgery. I hadn't been eating or drinking since the day before. That's not allowed when you are going to be put to sleep.
I thought that they would shave my pubic hairs, but they didn't. They gave me some pills that would make waking up easier. I was assigned a bed and some clothes. A porter pushed my bed (and me) to the room where the surgery was going to take place, and a nurse put a needle in the back of my hand. This needle is connected through a hose to a bag with some kind of fluid nutricion or whatever it is. It also contains something that calms you down, they told me that. Then I was placed on the operating table, and covered with some nice warm blankets. They also connected me to a machine that would monitor my heartbeat, temperature etc. Then they turned on the anaesthetic, it's injected through the needle in the hand. I don't know what kind of drug it is, but it is almost like a switch. I was sleeping in less than 2 seconds. Waking up takes much more time.
I had a lot to drink and something to eat. A nurse helped me the first time that I had to take a pee. My oh my! I thought that I was going to faint! My penis was covered in bloody bandages, and when they were removed I saw something that certainly didn't looked as its usual self. What was left of my foreskin was retracted, and I saw my glans for the first time ever. It was a pretty shaky experience, but despite the blood and the bandages it was also a great feeling. This was the new me, and I was going to be OK!
Then I was sent home. The first couple of days was horrible. I changed the bandages and used 2 pairs of tights to keep everything in place. The last thing that was on my mind was sex, but I woke up several times each night because I had erections, and the pain would wake me up. I used some local anaesthetic creme that they had given me at the hospital. It helped a bit, but that creme was so sticky that I decided to shave my pubic hairs, simply because I was so irritated about the hairs sticking to my penis.
My glans was hyper-sensitive. Just a very gentle touch would hurt. This is usual, and sensitivity should be normal after approx 4 weeks. The first week was bad. I had some days off, so I could stay at home and didn't have to walk around. Sensitivity had decreased so much after 10 days that I could wear my usual jeans without having to waddle as a duck :)
My foreskin had stitches all the way around my penis. Such stitches are made of some special thread that will dissolve itself after approx 2 weeks.
The foreskin is still a bit swollen, but this should be gone in a couple of weeks from now.

>I also have other problems with my penis apart from phimosis (veins, short
>frenulum, weird bumps at the base of the penis).
I'm no medical expert, but I guess that you need some kind of surgery.
You are likely to get some of those "DO/DONT get a circ!" replies. When you decide see a doc, then he/she will tell you what your options are (if any). If I were you, then I would only chose a circ if there is no other options, or if you are sure that a circ is what you want. My point is very simple: You can always get a circ later if that's what you want, but it is a bit more tough to undo a circ if you regret later.
I had a circ myself because of phimosis. I didn't know of any options, and I wasn't told about any options, maybe there simply wasn't any options in my case. Right now I don't mind that I'm circ'ed, but I wish that I had known about other options if there was any. Then at least I would have had the possibility to make my own choice.
You don't have to decide anything today. Read about others experiences, advantages/disadvantages about different surgeries etc etc. Then you'll also know what the doc is talking abount.
I'll respect your choice and support you 100% no matter what you choose!

>People have no clue about my condition, I really don't know what to do.
Yes, you know what to do! You can do one of two things, either see a doc or wait! Waiting is not really an option. It's allright to wait a bit, while you are checking info on cures, different kinds of surgery and so on, but waiting and waiting and waiting will get you nowhere, I know what I'm talking about here :)
I certainly know that seeing the doc about such a thing is not amusing at all.
Now that you have found this forum, you'll know that you are certainly not alone. I'll bet that your doc has seen cases like yours before.
What about your relationship, can you get some support there?

Best wishes

EBT, Denmark


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