Having a Circumcision - What you need to know

Erections will be painful for the first week
after this procedure. Sexual intercourse
should be avoided until there is no pain
with erections when healing can be
considered to be complete. Adult patients
may experience bruising for some days.
Discharge Home
1. If the doctors or nurses in the unit have
told you to be careful about anythingplease
remember what they said. You
will also be given written information/
instructions.
2. If you are worried about anything
to do with your operation, please
telephone the hospital or contact your
General Practitioner.
Most patients have a local anaesthetic only
for this procedure. However if you have
had a general anaesthetic:
For 24 hours after your operation:
1. DO NOT drive a car, ride a bicycle or
operate machinery.
2. DO NOT drink alcohol.
3. DO NOT take sleeping tablets.
4. You should have someone to take you
home in a car or taxi.
5. You should have someone with you
and have access to a telephone for 24
hours.
Having a Circumcision
What you need to know
Online Version
GHPI0962_02_09
Author: Urology
Review due: February 2012

Explanation
A circumcision is the surgical removal
(excision) of the foreskin on the penis.
Diet
You will be asked to eat and drink nothing
for a few hours before the operation. You
will be advised of the exact instructions by
your admission letter.
On arrival
You will be welcomed by the ward clerk or
nurse who will check your details, They will
show you to your bed and introduce you to
a nurse who will be looking after you that
day.
The nurse will then check your pulse,
temperature and blood pressure. It would
be helpful if you would bring a urine
sample with you in a clean container, the
more recent the better.
You will be asked about any medicines or
drugs that you may be taking so that your
drug treatment in hospital will be correct.
Please tell your nurse of any allergies to
drugs or dressings. The nurse will ask you a
few more questions. Please ask if you have
any questions.
Surgical Visit
The house surgeon will examine you and
explain the operation to you. You will be
asked to sign a consent form if you have
not already done so. Please ask if you have
any questions.
Anaesthetic visit
If you are to have a general anaesthetic,
you will be seen by the anaesthetist before
your operation.
Shaving
You do not need to shave any hair for this
operation.
Your operation
You may walk to the operating suite
with a ward nurse. You will be wearing
an operation gown. Wedding rings will
be fastened with tape and removable
dentures will be left on the ward. There
will be several checks of your details on the
way to theatre. If you are having a general
anaesthetic the anaesthetist will give you
a small injection into your arm just prior
to your operation. If you have a local
anaesthetic the surgeon will explain what
he is doing as he does it.
Recovery area
After surgery you will be taken to the
recovery area where a nurse will monitor
your progress. When the recovery nurse is
satisfied with your condition you will return
to the ward area. When you are able to sit
up beverages will be offered.
After the operation
After the operation you will return to the
Ward to recover from the anaesthetic and
when you are ready you will be able to go
home.
Following the procedure your penis may
be swollen and painful for two or three
days. This can be controlled by taking
regular painkillers such as paracetamol.
Vaseline applied to the end of the penis
will prevent the exposed skin sticking to
your underclothes. You may find it more
comfortable to wear boxer shorts. Passing
water should not be a problem.
After the first day you may find a bath
quite soothing but do not stay in for
long and just pat the area dry. Do not use
irritants such as bubble bath, bath oil or
soap and do not use talc powder around
the area. Your stitches are dissolvable so
they do not need to be removed. It will
be at least a week before healing occurs,
however you may resume work as soon as
you feel comfortable.
Online Version