© COPYRIGHT 2021. DR MICHAEL READ
A man does not need a medical reason to have a circumcision. Personal preference or social reasons are perfectly valid. Circumcision can be performed simply because you and/or your partner want one.
This blog aims to provide a quick overview of some of the medical considerations that may lead you to consider being circumcised, along with some information about what to expect before and after the procedure. For more in-depth information, please visit our Adult Circumcision page and download our Adult Circumcision Guide.
Some key facts about adult circumcision.
Some important information:
Adult circumcision surgery does not require referral. You can simply ring, make an appointment and come in and talk to Dr Read. He will discuss the circumcision operation with you. You are under no pressure to proceed with circumcision if you decide it is not for you.
Circumcision does not require hospital admission. The procedure is performed in our practice-based operating rooms. This allows you to avoid costly hospital and anaesthetist fees.
Pain during the circumcision and afterwards is absent or minor. A topical anaesthetic cream provides most of the numbing effect, but it is supplemented by local anaesthetic injections if necessary and by some medication to sedate and relax patients. Many patients simply sleep throughout the circumcision.
There is always anxiety about pain during and after the procedure but Dr Read will take great care to ensure this is not a significant issue.
Circumcision is often performed for medical reasons. Many stoical men persevere with foreskin complaints that can be readily fixed.
The most frequent medical reason is phimosis where a tight foreskin prevents or restricts retraction of the foreskin. It is a condition which affects 1 in 10 teenage boys and men. Sometimes this can be subtle and only evident with an erection. Dr Read has seen men in their 40’s and 50’s that have had this complaint all their adult lives. Often GP’s discourage surgery because they are unfamiliar with the significant inconvenience even minor restriction can cause. Phimosis also greatly increases the risk of penile cancer and is a cause of foreskin and catheter problems in nursing homes.
Paraphimosis follows phimosis as the most frequent reason men present for circumcision. With this condition the foreskin retracts and causes a restriction behind the glans causing it to swell and not allowing a return of the foreskin or blood flow. This can be dangerous and require an urgent operation to correct.
Recurrent tearing of the frenulum can be better treated by circumcision.
Infection and inflammation are three times more common in uncircumcised men, and many times greater in diabetics.
Penile cancer risk increases 20 times with an intact foreskin. This can require penile amputation or disfiguring surgery causing impaired penile function.
During an initial consultation, Dr Read will discuss the procedure and advise the patient about what to expect post-procedure.
The surgery itself will usually take an hour. Shaving of the scrotum and pubic hair is performed pre-operatively. On completion of the procedure a fine, skin-coloured, absorbable stitch is used. Every endeavour is taken to ensure a good cosmetic outcome.
Dr Read often performs circumcision revisions, where men who have had the procedure elsewhere in the past have been unhappy with their cosmetic outcome.
After the procedure the patient is bandaged firmly to reduce any possibility of bleeding. This can result in some minor inconvenience with a slow urine stream and some dribbling. The bandage is removed 1-2 days later at the post-operative review. It is not unusual to see bruising and swelling, but this will not influence the outcome. Usually a further bandage is applied, and the patient is asked to remove it themselves after a further 1-2 days.
Most patients do not require post-operative pain relief but Panadol or Panadeine are most appropriate.
Adults undergoing the circumcision procedure are advised to abstain from intercourse for six weeks to ensure adequate skin healing.
If you would like to book a consultation or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call 07 5531 3205 or complete the contact form on this page.
Please submit an enquiry and we will endeavour to get in contact with you as soon as possible.
Dr Michael Read has thirty years’ experience performing vasectomy and circumcision procedures and an established reputation on the Gold Coast.
Please fill in the online enquiry form to ask a question or book your consultation with Dr Michael Read at Gold Coast Circumcision Centre or Gold Coast Vasectomy Centre.