[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 12 Jul 2002 00:01:15: Post-Preputioplasty
As an answer to: Preputioplasty written by Mick at 11 Jul 2002 03:11:31:
> 2 weeks ago to the day I had a preputioplasty operation to try and cure my phimosis. The doctor told me there was about 85% chance it would work.
Two weeks is a little early to assess - it has only just healed, and will be tender and the scar tight. Given that it has healed however, it is an excellent time to seriously start a stretching program, and I suggest you seriously consider finding yourself some sort of dilator to wear in the opening much of the time. Unfortunately, such things are not (yet?) marketed for the specific purpose. Perhaps people would be reluctant to pay for them.
> Basically, the hole isn't big enough. The surgeon has mis-calculated the size of my penis when erect.
Perhaps, but if what you have had is indeed a preputioplasty, and no skin was removed, then you have still achieved something - a significantly bigger opening than before. It is however critical that you act right now on the stretching, with the intention of making the scar line stretch rather than contract as it "sets".
> Now I'm wondering what I should do. The doctor told me initially that the first line of treatment would usually be cream, like bethmethsone.
If you go get the "Betnovate" (betamethasone), ask for the full-strength ointment, 0,1%. Cream is second choice, as is half-strength (0.05%). Research my instructions on how to apply it to the right place.
> I told him I'd prefer a surgical option that would fix it once and for all.
Impatience. Sorry, it will require some work (that four-letter "swear" word again). However, it should be pleasant work and your active involvement should be satisfying.
> Well it hasn't worked in my case. Before the operation I wasn't able to retract my foreskin at all. Now I can retract it I'd say, half way down my glans. I still have phimosis, just not as severe.
Then it did work to that extent. Your turn now to build on it. Be positive.
> Also I'm not sure how long swelling and bruising is supposed to last, but I seem to have a swolen area right where my frenulum is. It pokes out of the top of the foreskin when flaccid and It hasn't really decteased that much in size.
If you stretch your foreskin, this will probably become less prominent.
> Could it be a clot of some sort? I'm going to see what my GP has to say about this.
It won't be a clot. People are paranoid about clots. You are not going to die from a clot in your penis (skin) going to your brain, even if there was one in there.
> I have my reasons, and no-one here need question them.
But it is a huge temptation not to. {:-)}
> My doctor told me that with the cream, you don't need to stretch. He said stretching can damage your skin. What do you think of this?
Complete bullshit, as explained by the other posters. Indicates the doctor is ignorant of the whole process and surgery in general. But I can't imagine why.
> I'm kinda pissed off with the surgery though. I think I "grow" quite a lot when I get an erection.
Most guys think that. {:-)}
> Each man is different and the surgeon has made a mistake in my case.
Perhaps.
> He might not be far off though, but since I've never, ever retracted my foreskin,
Exactly. Look on the positive side. Whereas you could have stretched it to start with and saved the money, it now stretches more than it did, so right now, get going and complete the job.
> I don't actually know how tight it should be when it moves across the glans.
Not too tight.
> Should the foreskin automatically retract on erection?
It's optional. Best said, it should easily move from covered to retracted and back again.
> At the moment, on erection my foreskin doesn't retract.
Then you have some work to do. Go back, read it all up on this forum.
> I think it's going to be either cream, or yet another bloody operation,
If you stretch, you don't need either. But the ointment may certainly help.
> though this time I'll have to do a full circ, which I didn't really want to.
Never necessary - always the counsel of impatience.