[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by halfclip at 31 Mar 2005 06:04:06: Re: Full Circ in less than 2 weeks now......
As an answer to: Full Circ in less than 2 weeks now...... written by Andy at 29 Mar 2005 17:25:29:
>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?Watch your penis carefully while you take a shower now. It is quite easy to take a shower always facing back so that there isn't much water that falls on your penis. Changing bandage isn't really different if you do it on day 1 or day 3. Same principle. Get it wet with warm water to disolve any dried blood that woudl cause bandage to adhere to scar, and then slowly take bandage out. You can do this in the showe quite easily. Get bandage wet. Then soap up and rinse, and then you can work to remove bandage, once done, get out, dry up and apply new bandage.
Ask your doctor about vaseline versus polysporin cream or even vitamin E oil from day 1. You may also consider applying vitamine E oil for a few days PRIOR to your circumcision to make the skin vitamine E rich.
>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
>personallyDaily while/after you shower is fine. Initially, when the scar is fresh and still ozzing, make sure bandage is wet with warm water for a while before you remove it.Once removed, you can just let a few drops of war water fall on teh scar area to clean any blood stains on skin.
>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?Initially, you want a real bandage, Tissue is really for "comfort" once bandage is not needed and scar has formed. The tisse will isolate your penis and stitches from underwear. Stitches will be really annoying and you'll be glad when they disolve or you remove them. You'll know when your scar no longer needs the stitches to keep it together. (usually some part of the scar heal faster than others).
>4. What can I use to reduce swelling?
Wrap bandage on snugly and don't leave your penis without bandage for very long. And if you do get some major swelling, drop your penis in a glass of iced water for as long as you can. (and then put bandage back on).
Either way, after a few days, you'll find the swelling will slowly subside progressively.
>5. I am taking two weeks off work, and will rest BIG TIME. What else can I do >to improve and speed healing and recovery?Live normally. Noo big time activities/sports, but live normally. Increased blood circulation helps healing faster. If you're done with local anesthetic, you could theoretically go back to office the same afternoon. If you're done with a wasteful general anesthetic, then you need to takle a couple days off since the anesthetic does more harm to your body and mind than the circ itself :-)
>6. I am told bathing with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil helps - does it?
Vitemin E oil applied to the scar area before you put bandage on will have far more effect.
>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.You start with polysporin on day 1 or day 2. Vitamin E probably a few days later once you see the scar has begun to form. Once scar has formed, vitamin E is all you need and polysporin won't be needed (what polysporin adds is the antisceptic property).
>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 toVitamin E oil, vaseline, baby oil. But you should note that doing so will delay your getting used to a bare head against underwear.
>10. Sleep on my side or in foetal position post OpYes. It reduces any skin tension during nocturnal erections.
>15. Do allow at least 2 good weeks off work, and away from sport etc post op - >REST UP, do not try and carry on as normal.
That is quite an exageration. Bill Clinton was out campaigning after heart surgery. Circumcision is a really simple cosmetic operation. Unless you have a very physical job (construction , bike courrier, sports etc), you can go work in an office environment without problem.
But yes, until the stitches are out, you want to refrein from hard contact sports. But with proper bandage, you will find that you can be active enough toi lead a fairly normal life.