[ ARC forum 2 ]

Re: Full Circ in less than 2 weeks now......

Written by James at 29 Mar 2005 21:55:59:

As an answer to: Full Circ in less than 2 weeks now...... written by Andy at 29 Mar 2005 17:25:29:

>OK guys, My Circ is just 11 days away now, and I am getting very nervous. In the last few months, I have read and learned so much. Many things are conflicting. Most are constant. One thing is for sure, the advice that has been the most valuable has been from Damian – Damian your words of support and advice are really helpful, and I am very grateful. Unlike so many people who use this forum, my Circ is necessary for genuine medical reasons – not vanity. The Op will change my life forever, and I have no idea how I will feel about that until it’s done. I will certainly not miss the pain and discomfort, and so whilst I am nervous as hell, am trying to look forward.
>I think I have read every bit of advice going – here is my summary – please do let me know if I am incorrect, have missed anything, or if you have any better advice. I have also a few unanswered questions, so here goes;
>1. Post Circ - would I be doing the right thing if I washed daily (but not for the first few days) as best I could, pat dry, apply some Vaseline, and then apply a fresh Melolin non stick dressing?

I'd recommend once every two days or three for the first couple of weeks. Until you're just about two weeks in, the sensitivity factor combined with the incision line will likely make showering at 'full force' a bit uncomfortable at first. I had three smaller showers before I could do it comfortably.

After showering, apply vaseline around the wound and wherever there is discharge. For the first four days, I think you'll find gauze will work very conveniently. But you may find yourself wanting to switch to tissue/toilet paper. Four sheets of this folded width-wise and wrapped around the penis has been working very conveniently for me.

>2. I am obsessed with cleanliness - should I change the dressing whenever it is soiled?, daily?, every other day? - What in your experience is best? I personally would prefer to replace it whenever soiled.

Don't be so concerned about this. I would recommend changing the dressing once every day or so, sometimes twice pending the condition of the dressing. It will definetely pick up a little bit of blood for the first few days, but then settle and become not as bad. You should definetely be careful not to spill urine on the gauze, that can be a little inconvenient.

>3. Many people recommend wrapping the penis in Tissue - seems it is easier to remove - what do you think of this idea? If I did, again, would the Vaseline help?

I would recommend switching to tissue after the first few days. Doing the same -- applying a little bit of vaseline. I would recommend applying vaseline less frequently when you're not showering.

>4. What can I use to reduce swelling? When I had my Frenuloplasty a year ago -it was the swelling that was the most harmful, especially the effect it had on the stitches.

If swelling becomes a major issue, it would be intelligent to lay back for at least the first three days. Do not do much moving around or standing, this will not aide the situation. The best thing to do is to lay back and apply ice on-and-off on a 15 minute cycle (ie 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off). You may find, like I did, that the swelling becomes a little extreme. Don't worry about the swelling much unless you are bleeding significantly or experiencing an unusual amount of pain. Just keep applying ice and it will be less irritating in a few days. A fair bit of swelling will last for up to a few weeks, but it shouldn't be of any concern after the first.

>6. I am told bathing with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil helps - does it?

Don't bath. Shower. If your urologist is on top of his stuff, he should advise not to bathe until your followup appointment.

>7. Lets move on a few weeks - the bruising and swelling has gone - at what point is it wise to start using Vitamin E oil or Polysporin cream? I want to keep the scar/wound as soft and supple as possible.

I'm not quite there yet. You will have to apply dressings for probably four weeks. You could use Vitamin E enhanced polysporin cream, which is probably better than the oil.

>8. I have read that after a short time, my glans will start to “dry out” and become flaky – in my case, one of the several reasons for the Circ is to treat aggressive BXO – assuming the BXO will eventually go (?!) How best to “moisturise” the exposed glans and scar? The thought of a dry flaky end bothers me a bit.

Your BXO will be gone with the circumcision.

>10. Sleep on my side or in foetal position post Op

It doesn't matter. You'll twist and turn, it won't effect you much.

>11. Loose boxers offer comfort for some - as do firm fitting pants for others -I will have to try both and see what is more comfortable.

With a dressing on, it won't matter.

>12. Pain relief is largely unneccessary.

If you're not a partial, you'll feel mild to no pain. You should feel much less sensitive after the first week.

>13. Nocturnal erections are largely avoided by restricting fluid intake before bed, and then passing water perhaps every 3 hours in the middle of the night - trial and error I guess.

I don't know that you'll be worrying about evening erections much. I didn't wake up to one.

>17. Keep those stitches supple with Vaseline - stiff, scratchy stitches are a nightmare - and dont mess with them - always get anurse to remove any that me need to be - DONT try and do it yourself.

Your stitches will start falling out after a week. They shouldn't be deep enough not to dissolve and fall out.


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