[ ARC forum 2 ]

Re: My Circumcision Situation

Written by Andrew B at 26 Dec 2004 03:27:02:

As an answer to: My Circumcision Situation written by Josh B at 25 Dec 2004 02:50:19:

First of all, what you want to do with your penis is your decision and don't worry about others on this board who will now doubt frown on your wish to be circumcised purely for cosmetic reasons. Cosmetic/self-esteem concerns can be just as valid as medical ones, though you have to understand that you might have deeper problems/issues that can't be solved by just removing a foreskin.

I would say as a word of caution though that don't make this decision hastily. I would recommend that you should have been considering doing this for at least a year before you take action, because you can't take it back. If your reason for doing it is just to invoid embarrasment in front of other guys, then I think that is not enough (bear in mind too that only in the US is circumcision still routinely practiced - you would not feel "strange" in other parts of the world). If you have genuinely grown to hate the cosmetic look of your uncircumcised penis, then I think that carries a bit more weight. Think of some of the advantages also of having a fully-functional foreskin - there is lots of literature out there about this. You have to weigh up the pros and cons of being circumcised. Most of us who have been circumcised as adults had phimosis and wanted a properly functioning penis, with the glans exposed during sex. If you already have this, then many would say you are in a fortunate position. Sorry to ramble but it is an important decision, not to be taken lightly. At the end of the day though, it is your decision and no one else's. As for your questions, I'll do my best:

>1.) Will I be able to go about everyday life (going to class, etc.) without it being obvious that I have had this operation done? I would think so. If you are wearing swimming trunks, it might be obvious that you are circumcised by the prominence of the glans, but isn't this what you want anyway??

>2.) Are the scars afterwards gross looking (after swelling has gone down and it is more in its "permanent" state)? My scar has not healed fully yet (I was circumcised almost a month ago), but I doubt it would be "gross-looking". You will have a scar line and maybe a color difference between you inner foreskin and shaft skin, but this doesn't look bad at all. It may depend also on the skill of your surgeon - make sure you feel confident in his ability to do a good job.

>3.) What kind of circumcision would I ask for if I want it to have the "I've had it circumcized since birth" kind of thing? I'm not sure about this but I think most infant circumcisions are done in the "low and loose" style (scar line close to the glans, a fair amount of loose skin left, which may bunch up behind the glans). If you get it done tighter and higher, then I think it would be obvious that you had it done as an adult. I don't think you should care about this though, no one else will. A lot of guys who get it done as adults prefer to go for a tighter cut, it's up to you.

>4.)After the surgery how long will I have to sit out of sports, because I do participate in a spring Lacrosse team, but I'm willing to take time off for this? I really think at least a month. I am at a month now and I can move freely but I haven't tried to play sport. If you want to play contact sports, I would wait a little longer, maybe up to 2 months. It's up to you to judge when you feel confident and comfortable in the knowledge that it has healed sufficiently. Everyone heals differently and at different rates, it is totally a personal thing.


Answers: