Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Circumcision?Risks of CircumcisionHow to PrepareDay of SurgeryRecovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Circumcision?
Risks of Circumcision
How to Prepare
Day of Surgery
Recovery
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of thepenis. The foreskin is the layer of skin that covers the glans (head of the penis).
This procedure can be performed in newborns, older children, or adults. Circumcision is one of the most common surgeries among males.
This article explains why the surgery is performed, its risks and benefits, and expectations during and after surgery.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
Why Are Circumcisions Performed?
The purpose of circumcision is to surgically remove the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the layer of skin that covers the head of the penis.
Generally, circumcisions are performed during the newborn period. But they can also be performed at any time during a person’s life.
Circumcisions may be performed for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. Currently, the world’s highest circumcision rates are in:
Religious
Medical
Medical reasons for circumcisioninclude the following:
The health benefits of circumcision include:
Factors to Consider in Deciding on a Circumcision
As with any surgical procedure, there are several potential risks associated with undergoing circumcision. In addition, some people are not good candidates for circumcision.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks for those who choose it.However, they do not recommend routine circumcision because scientific evidence for routinely performing this surgery is not sufficient.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks for those who choose it.
However, they do not recommend routine circumcision because scientific evidence for routinely performing this surgery is not sufficient.
Contraindications
Contraindications for a circumcision procedure can be grouped into four areas.
Risks
While most risks are relatively minor and treatable, early complications may include:
Late post-operative risks include:
While a circumcision procedure is relatively minor, serious complications can occur. Serious but rare complications include excessive bleeding and possible amputation of the glans.
Preparing for surgery can be a scary and uncertain time. After the initial appointments, the surgeon will give you a list of instructions that you should follow before the procedure.
If this is an outpatient adult circumcision, you can expect apreoperativecall or appointment with a member of your surgeon’s staff. They will go over your scheduled arrival time and any other instructions.
These instructions will include what medications your should take or pause before the procedure. They will also tell you what time to stop consuming food and liquids.
Location
For infants, circumcisions are often done while a newborn is still in the hospital or later at your pediatrician’s office.
Adult circumcisions are performed in a hospital as anoutpatientprocedure. They may also be done at a same-day surgery center.
What to Wear
Newborns wear a hospital gown and diaper before the procedure. These will be removed once the patient is placed on the surgical table.
Adult circumcision patients should dress in loose-fitting clothing. You will change into a hospital gown when you arrive.
Food and Drink
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about when to stop eating and drinking at a pre-operative appointment. They may also call to remind you the day before the procedure.
Why You Can’t Eat or Drink Before Surgery
Medications
Your surgeon will discuss all medications with you before the surgery. Be sure to bring a list of your medications to pre-operative appointments. You should know:
Don’t forget to include all vitamins and supplements in your list of medications. These may have side effects when combined with anesthesia and the medications used during and after the procedure.
On the morning of your surgery, take only the medications your doctor tells you to take and how.
What to Bring
Here is a list of important items you may want to bring with you on the day of your scheduled adult circumcision:
You should not bring:
An Overview of Surgery
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
The surgical team will bring your newborn to a separate room for the procedure.
Adults who undergo the procedure will report to the outpatient surgery department. You will be discharged several hours after the procedure.
Report to the hospital at the prescheduled arrival time. Once there, you will change into a hospital gown. It is helpful to have someone at the hospital for support and to drive you home.
Before the Surgery
Before the procedure, your child’s physician will speak to you and obtain consent. They will go over the risks and benefits of the surgery.
The following health professionals may perform circumcision:
You will meet with a member of the anesthesia team and the surgical team. They will go over the procedure with you and ask you to sign consent forms.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBlueshot / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Blueshot / Getty Images
During the Procedure
The doctor will place your newborn on a special table before the procedure. The surgical technique varies depending on the healthcare provider. However, all follow the same basic steps:
The most common surgical techniques include:
Adult circumcisions are less common and are generally done undergeneralorlocalanesthesia. A urologist performs them. Most adult circumcisions are performed using one of two techniques:
After the Procedure
After a newborn circumcision, you’ll either see a visible incision or an attached Plastibell device. In addition, your child’s doctor will instruct you to continue to place petroleum jelly on the tip of the penis after every diaper change. This will prevent the diaper from sticking to the healing area.
Immediately after an adult circumcision, your doctor will clean the area with sterile water. They will then wrap it with petroleum jelly and sterile gauze.
You can remove the initial dressing per your doctor’s instruction. Wear loose-fitting briefs and gently wash the surgical area daily with non-perfumed soap.
Recovery after circumcision is relatively easy. Most patients suffer minor, if any, complications.
Your doctor may adviseTylenol(acetaminophen) or ibuprofen for pain relief. In addition, you should take it easy for several days following the procedure.
Healing
It’s important to be able to identify complications from the procedure. Call the doctor right away if you or your child experience:
Coping With Recovery
Most newborns often do not have any major problems coping after surgery. Adults, on the other hand, should avoid intercourse and masturbation for four to six weeks after the procedure to avoid infection and skin breakdown.
Possible Future Surgeries
The need for future surgeries is rare. If there is an additional need, it is often cosmetic. Urologists usually perform circumcision revisions.
Summary
Circumcision removes the loose skin, called “foreskin,” from the glans (head) of the penis. The surgery is a common newborn procedure in the U.S., but adults can undergo the procedure, too.
Circumcision is an outpatient procedure. Your doctor will send you or your child home on the same day. The procedure is very quick, often lasting only a few minutes. Afterward, you should apply petroleum jelly to the wound as it heals and watch for signs of infection.
A Word From Verywell
Circumcisions are often performed for religious or cultural reasons. But they may also be performed for medical reasons. If you are considering circumcision for yourself or your child, be sure to discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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