Circumcision: my experience

[peterparker36]

great post brother....

[fantastic8]

Just wonder usually took n
How long for recover and back to normal sex life? I mean after ring removal, what is the fastest healing time, what can I do for recover faster

[stealdefender]

great. but sounds scary to me

[DoctorTan]

Originally Posted by fantastic8

Just wonder usually took n
How long for recover and back to normal sex life? I mean after ring removal, what is the fastest healing time, what can I do for recover faster

Regardless of the method used, full healing from circumcision takes 4 to 6 weeks on average. Yes some people do heal faster (3 weeks) and some slower (2 months).

The management of the wound from a conventional circumcision is usually easier than the wound of a ShangRing. In my experience, ultimately both heal with the same results. For conventional, early on the foreskin may look very swollen. For ShangRing the wound goes through a period of looking very wet and yellow. i.e. both wound would likely go through a "scary looking" period.

For both, a good dressing to control the morning erections is important. Cos a strong erection can cause the wound to open up.

As for all wounds, keeping it dry and clean (uninfected) will lead to good healing. There is some data on taking Vitamin C supplements to help with wound healing.

Ultimately you need patience. Time will heal all wounds.

[fantastic8]

Originally Posted by DoctorTan

Regardless of the method used, full healing from circumcision takes 4 to 6 weeks on average. Yes some people do heal faster (3 weeks) and some slower (2 months).

The management of the wound from a conventional circumcision is usually easier than the wound of a ShangRing. In my experience, ultimately both heal with the same results. For conventional, early on the foreskin may look very swollen. For ShangRing the wound goes through a period of looking very wet and yellow. i.e. both wound would likely go through a "scary looking" period.

For both, a good dressing to control the morning erections is important. Cos a strong erection can cause the wound to open up.

As for all wounds, keeping it dry and clean (uninfected) will lead to good healing. There is some data on taking Vitamin C supplements to help with wound healing.

Ultimately you need patience. Time will heal all wounds.

DR TAN,

I Heard lasik type will be better than ring is it? Which one recover faster?

[DoctorTan]

Originally Posted by fantastic8

DR TAN,

I Heard lasik type will be better than ring is it? Which one recover faster?

You mean the laser type?
These are 2 separate variables
First - how to remove the skin. Can be with a blade, scissors, laser or electrosurgical device
Second - how to keep the skin edges together while it heals.

One way is to stitch it close. This is called conventional circumcision (CC).
The other way is to use a device like the ShangRing (SR) to keep the skin edges together while it heals.

Most studies comparing healing times for CC and SR conclude that the healing time for CC is shorter than SR. In one Chinese review it was reported as 3 days faster. In an African study it was reported as 5 days faster.

My advice to patients is to give yourself 6 weeks for full healing either way. In fact, there was a report that said patients should avoid sex for 6 to 7 weeks after circumcision regardless of the method. Because although the overlying skin may look healed, the underlying support may not be fully healed. And the wound may re-open if placed under undue stress.

I have done both CC and SR many times before. Honestly the CC wound is a lot easier to manage and is better for Doctors. However, the SR is a much shorter surgery, much less blood loss and the patient can shower immediately after the surgery. Also, most patients prefer the end cosmetic result from the SR.

[fantastic8]

Originally Posted by DoctorTan

You mean the laser type?
These are 2 separate variables
First - how to remove the skin. Can be with a blade, scissors, laser or electrosurgical device
Second - how to keep the skin edges together while it heals.

One way is to stitch it close. This is called conventional circumcision (CC).
The other way is to use a device like the ShangRing (SR) to keep the skin edges together while it heals.

Most studies comparing healing times for CC and SR conclude that the healing time for CC is shorter than SR. In one Chinese review it was reported as 3 days faster. In an African study it was reported as 5 days faster.

My advice to patients is to give yourself 6 weeks for full healing either way. In fact, there was a report that said patients should avoid sex for 6 to 7 weeks after circumcision regardless of the method. Because although the overlying skin may look healed, the underlying support may not be fully healed. And the wound may re-open if placed under undue stress.

I have done both CC and SR many times before. Honestly the CC wound is a lot easier to manage and is better for Doctors. However, the SR is a much shorter surgery, much less blood loss and the patient can shower immediately after the surgery. Also, most patients prefer the end cosmetic result from the SR.

Thanks Dr Tan. Very clear explanation.

One of my buddy perform shangring few weeks ago, going to 5th week now. He mentioned his wound is not yelowwish color and keep wet on it. He quite often个go toilet to dry it with tissue paper, he told me that if not do that then it will stock to the underwear and later will be very pain when I slightly dry
Is that normal the wound keep wet and let him dry it by tissue every few hours? That is the process?

[DoctorTan]

Originally Posted by fantastic8

Thanks Dr Tan. Very clear explanation.

One of my buddy perform shangring few weeks ago, going to 5th week now. He mentioned his wound is not yelowwish color and keep wet on it. He quite often个go toilet to dry it with tissue paper, he told me that if not do that then it will stock to the underwear and later will be very pain when I slightly dry
Is that normal the wound keep wet and let him dry it by tissue every few hours? That is the process?

The wound really should not be so wet at 5 weeks.

This is not normal and can be due to a few reasons:
1. Factors delaying wound healing - example Diabetes, skin issues like eczema or dry skin, nutritional deficiencies etc
2. Wound infection
3. Wound dehiscence - this is when the wound re-opens again after the SR has been removed. This is most commonly caused by a strong erection

Your friend should go back to his Doctor for a check up

If he does not wish to, tell him to do this:
Go to a pharmacy and buy gauze, iodine and Tegaderm
Use the gauze to gently pat on iodine to the wound. Allow the iodine to dry. Then apply the Tegaderm (looks like sticky Glad Wrap) directly onto the wound. Leave the Tegaderm on for 2 days then repeat the process.
He should see new skin growing over the wound within 2 weeks.

[zappyman]

Originally Posted by simonq69

Raffles hospital urologist is good for this

Yeah, agreed they're one of the best in the business.

[Qoo789789]

Hi, anyone heard of or been to Eden Family Clinic @ Jurong before?

[pipipupupi]

if my penis size varies alot under different scenario i.e. flaccid, erected. can still go for shang ring method? wont the ring loosen or drop off/

[ctan100]

i had mine when i was in army... can tell you the morning wood will make u wanna cry hahahah

[Darknite]

Hi Dr Tan

i used to suffer from very very bad phimosis without realising it. I only realised it after my days in poly, which then i started to do my own stretching exercise (the amount of pain, tears, blood and almost paraphimosis is so scary), but i ultimately managed to pull back my foreskin.

however i noted that my foreskin would form a ring around the head, and it is tight, preventing much "expansion".. i also noted that i have a very short frenulum, which is also quite a issue.

I do know that i had phimosis, but if i go to a doctor now, would i be able to claim from my insurer since i "theoretically" can pull back the fore skin?

also should i go for circumcision?

[DoctorTan]

Originally Posted by Darknite

Hi Dr Tan

i used to suffer from very very bad phimosis without realising it. I only realised it after my days in poly, which then i started to do my own stretching exercise (the amount of pain, tears, blood and almost paraphimosis is so scary), but i ultimately managed to pull back my foreskin.

however i noted that my foreskin would form a ring around the head, and it is tight, preventing much "expansion".. i also noted that i have a very short frenulum, which is also quite a issue.

I do know that i had phimosis, but if i go to a doctor now, would i be able to claim from my insurer since i "theoretically" can pull back the fore skin?

also should i go for circumcision?

Hi. Technically you still have phimosis even though you can now expose the head. The tight ring and short frenulum could both negatively affect your erections. Also, this actually puts you at higher risk of paraphimosis. And you are right, this is quite scary. In fact, it is a medical emergency.

I have done many circumcisions covered by insurance. They honestly do not care if you are able to pull your skin back or not. They just need your Doctor to certify that it is medically necessary.

Yes. You should absolutely go for a circumcision. It will solve all your problems. As you can see from the experience of many here, the circumcision process is not as scary as you think it is.

[sigueroa]

Hi Dr Tan, Signed up a new account to get your advice. I've benefited a lot from all your sharing!

I've been having these small foreskin cuts, not on the frenulum. These cuts came up more frequently over the past 2 months, sometimes at the same area, sometimes at different area. I am getting a little concerned as this affects my sex life. This cut appears mainly after erection when I pull my foreskin back - like an overstretched of the foreskin.

I am still able to retract my foreskin back, though it seems "tighter" than last time.

I've been to my GP about 2 weeks back who gave me antifungal and antibiotics cream - I applied for one week, seems in control until when I was planning to have sex and tried to stretch my foreskin, and the cuts appeared again. These 2 cuts healed after 2-3days, now every time I shower I also try to stretch the skin. And sometimes 1-2 small cuts appear at other areas too. My foreskin gets itchy sometimes too.

Today, I went to visit a urologist - he shared the skin looks a bit "white" and since I've tried so many creams and it comes back, he recommended me circumcision.

For now, the routine I'm adopting is:

1. Ensure my penis/foreskin is always dry.
2. Apply Vaseline whenever I can throughout the day.
3. Before bed, apply the antifungal + antibiotic cream, then with Vaseline.

Can I get your advice if this is okay? Or should I just go for circumcision?

Thank you so much Dr.