Please contact a member of nursing staff at the appropriate day unit if you wish to discuss your operation before your admission to hospital. (Contact numbers can be found at the end of this leaflet).
The Procedure
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the penis.
At birth the foreskin is stuck to the tip of the penis but, by the age of five years, it usually becomes separated allowing it to be pulled back over the end of the penis. If the foreskin cannot be retracted for cleaning, infection can occur.
Circumcision may be indicated if:
- the foreskin is tight or diseased
- there is pain on intercourse
- there are repeated infections.
Circumcision can be performed under local or general anaesthetic. Even if a general anaesthetic is given, some local anaesthetic will also be injected into the operation site to provide pain relief after the operation.
Before Your Operation
If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will have a pre-screening appointment to assess your suitability for day surgery, before you are given a date for your operation.
At this appointment the nurse will take details of your:
- medical history
- current medication
- home care arrangements after you have been discharged from hospital.
Please use this opportunity to ask any questions about your surgery and after-care. Where possible, the nurse will arrange a mutually convenient date for your surgery. S/he will also give you instructions about preparing for your operation, which will include advice about:
- having a bath or shower before you come to the hospital
- eating and drinking
- taking your normal medication, if appropriate
Note: Unless advised otherwise, if you normally take aspirin daily you should continue to take it. If you take clopidogrel, this should be stopped 1 week prior to your operation.
- returning to work after surgery
On the day of surgery
You should have a bath or shower before you come to hospital.
If you normally wear contact lenses, you will need to remove these before your operation. Please bring your spectacles or an extra pair of contact lenses with you.
On admission to the unit you will be greeted by a nurse who will check that your details are correct. The surgeon and the anaesthetist (if you are having a general anaesthetic) will talk to you and you will be invited to ask any questions you may have. A member of staff will escort you, as you walk to the operating theatre.
Following your operation
You will be transferred to the ward area where nurses will continue to monitor your condition. If you feel any discomfort, please inform the nurse looking after you, so that pain relief can be given.
You will need to have something to eat or drink, before you can go home. After about 1-2 hours, if the nurse feels you are sufficiently recovered, you may be discharged home.
Care at home
You may have some tingling or numbness around the stitch line. This will soon disappear, but if you develop excessive bruising or swelling contact your general practitioner. Do not pull at any scabs, they will fall away naturally.
The stitches in your wounds may be dissolvable and the nurse will inform you about this before you leave the unit. If they do not dissolve, or become uncomfortable, you may need to see your Practice Nurse to have them removed. Should the need arise, the day unit staff will give you a letter for the Practice Nurse. After your operation you will have a dressing on the operation site, but this does not have to be replaced if it falls off.
A daily shower and daily change of underwear is required. A small amount of petroleum jelly inside the underpants can prevent the wound sticking to the clothing. You may be off work for about 1 week and you should not do any heavy lifting for 7-10 days. Please do not have a bath or submerge in water for 2 weeks.
It is sensible to avoid sport for at least one week and sexual intercourse for two weeks, following your operation.
Possible complications
Please contact your GP, if you develop:
- a temperature
- fresh bleeding or bruising
- redness or swelling at the operation site
- pus or drainage from the operation site
- prolonged or severe pain
- an inability to pass urine
If you have any problems or cause for concern please contact:
Your General Practitioner or the relevant Day Unit:
David Beevers Day Unit, St James’s Hospital
(Monday 8am to Saturday 12noon inclusive)
