Considering Circumcision - Advice?

[Gummshoo]

As the title suggests, I'm on the fence about getting circumcised, and wondered if you guys here had any advice on this topic.

Some context:

• I'm 25 years old.
• I've always had a somewhat tight foreskin; I can retract fully when soft, but when hard, it is more difficult.
• I cannot pull my foreskin back behind my head, as the skin tends to bunch up in a big band at the ridge.
• These problems have gotten worse in recent years, with recurring irritation around the end of my foreskin.
• These bouts usually resolve themselves in time.
• Ironically, this sometimes starts after I've tried stretching.

I've been given a topical steroid cream by my GP to start stretching, but a mixture of struggling to establish the habit and occasional irritation mean I haven't seen much progress.

I'm not set on circumcision by any means, but I'm a bit concerned that stretching won't resolve my issue:

• If my foreskin bunches up around my head when I peel it back, will any amount of stretching really fix this?
• I've heard stories of guys who could originally retract their foreskin easily, but recurring irritation and micro-tears cause them to develop phimosis later in life.

As for circumcision itself, I guess the main thing that's putting me off is the recovery. The operation itself I've heard is pretty routine as things go, but I don't like the idea of rushing to a busy, understaffed hospital in the weeks after the operation if something goes wrong when I'm healing. Also, I wouldn't know what style to pick, and there seems to be a wide range of results for guys.

I can share pics privately if I trust ya.

So that's it. Hope this post isn't too much of a ramble, and intrigued to see what you guys think.

Obviously, I'll seek proper medical advice when the time is right, but I hoped some guys here might be able to give me their two cents.

Thanks!

 

[cub2007]

Have you ever tried aloe vera gel for the irritation? (it must be organic though, ideally straight from the plant's leaf); it works pretty fast and without any secondary effect like the other ointments (due to the corticosteroids in them), and would heal any trace of scar tissue on your foreskin... after that you can decide better what you really want to do, without pressure. Besides, are you used to apply soap while washing your glans? if so, that makes things worse, since it's ph is too harsh, like applying soap to the eyelids as an analogy, so in case you use soap, stop it and rinse with plain (lukewarm if possible) water only... try that and the gel and I'm sure you'll notice an steady improvement in a matter of few days, specially in comfort terms..

As a circumcised guy myself I would definitely avoid going the surgical route to keep the full sensations, moisture and lubrication provided by the foreskin (like the way how it holds the precum, etc).. some others may differ but the thing is there's no way to guarantee a result for everyone, because no foreskin is identical to another and some may have more nerve endings and veins than others, etc, and while some may be okay with getting cut, some may not and end regretting it... so if there are options, better to try them all beforehand...

 

[Galderis]

I have the same problem and thinking of having partial circumcision because I still enjoyed my beautiful red head

 

[Gummshoo]

Have you ever tried aloe vera gel for the irritation? (it must be organic though, ideally straight from the plant's leaf); it works pretty fast and without any secondary effect like the other ointments (due to the corticosteroids in them), and would heal any trace of scar tissue on your foreskin... after that you can decide better what you really want to do, without pressure. Besides, are you used to apply soap while washing your glans? if so, that makes things worse, since it's ph is too harsh, like applying soap to the eyelids as an analogy, so in case you use soap, stop it and rinse with plain (lukewarm if possible) water only... try that and the gel and I'm sure you'll notice an steady improvement in a matter of few days, specially in comfort terms..

As a circumcised guy myself I would definitely avoid going the surgical route to keep the full sensations, moisture and lubrication provided by the foreskin (like the way how it holds the precum, etc).. some others may differ but the thing is there's no way to guarantee a result for everyone, because no foreskin is identical to another and some may have more nerve endings and veins than others, etc, and while some may be okay with getting cut, some may not and end regretting it... so if there are options, better to try them all beforehand...

I haven't tried aloe vera gel on it no, but could be worth a try? I did try it once on my face, but it caused some serious irritation and it got quite red, so I didn't try it again.

As for the soap - this is something that has helped. I changed to a shower gel without soap, and avoided my dick when showering with it, and started wearing cotton underwear, and it helped reduce the frequency of these breakouts.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gummshoo]

I have the same problem and thinking of having partial circumcision because I still enjoyed my beautiful red head

This would be interesting. Do you know whether this is a common practice?

 

[Galderis]

This would be interesting. Do you know whether this is a common practice?

Partial circumcision is a common practice, yes. You should do some research about this before make the decision too just so that when you circumcise, it won't surprise you of what you got. Some people like high and tight so they don't have room of skin to move when they jerk off, some like the skin to still be loosely

 

[PermanetlyBareKnob]

This would be interesting. Do you know whether this is a common practice?

A minimal circumcision will remove just the very tip of the foreskin where the phimosis constriction is, and a partial circumcision removes just a bit more than that. Either of these styles will still leave at least partial coverage. But you should be aware that the tip of the foreskin is an important part of the system that keeps the foreskin forward, so if you get a minimal or partial circumcision, your skin will have a much great tendency to spontaneously slide back or forward on its own, like when sitting or standing, getting slightly chubbed, or shifting in your clothes. That may not be a big deal, but it could be something to be aware of.

 

[Gummshoo]

A minimal circumcision will remove just the very tip of the foreskin where the phimosis constriction is, and a partial circumcision removes just a bit more than that. Either of these styles will still leave at least partial coverage. But you should be aware that the tip of the foreskin is an important part of the system that keeps the foreskin forward, so if you get a minimal or partial circumcision, your skin will have a much great tendency to spontaneously slide back or forward on its own, like when sitting or standing, getting slightly chubbed, or shifting in your clothes. That may not be a big deal, but it could be something to be aware of.

I'd be happy with having it slide back by itself. It'd feel like a better version of being uncut.

 

[happycut]

As you followed the doctor's instructions and it didn't work, here remains the solution of circumcision. Discuss with the doctor how he sees the operation, the best is H&T but it is not always possible.
Partial circumcision is not necessarily the solution and from an aesthetic point of view it is not always a success.
But only a doctor can really help you and don't worry, it's a very small operation that can be done under local anesthesia, the next day I was back at work.

 

[Uncutsouthernboy]

How about a dorsal slit? The Dr. just cuts a vertical line on the backside of the foreskin. It loosens the foreskin but does not remove it. It will still look like most every uncircumcised penis around with a loose hood. I know 2 guys who had it done and they are happy with the results.

 

[trickydicky13]

Keep going with the steroid cream and get some phimosis rings. Once you start going up a ring size it'll give you the encouragement to carry on.

 

[Galderis]

How about a dorsal slit? The Dr. just cuts a vertical line on the backside of the foreskin. It loosens the foreskin but does not remove it. It will still look like most every uncircumcised penis around with a loose hood. I know 2 guys who had it done and they are happy with the results.

That's interesting. Never heard of it until now

 

[Gummshoo]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I hadn't considered a dorsal slit, but if it's an option, that'd be really good. Just not sure how I'd even ask for that or access it.

 

[coolestguy]

My recovery wasn't too bad. Didn't have much pain, but just couldn't have any form of sex for a few months.

 

[Jimrap19]

I did it in my late twenties. The night time is the WORST because as your dick is getting hard it is stretching your stitches and it really hurts. Did it with local anaesthesia, lasted about 45 mins and then literally took the bus home lol Loads of bandages and blood in the beginning, there was hardly any pain when I was just lying down or sitting down resting but when I walked it was obvz uncomfortable and transitioning from bandages to nothing, just my bare head touching my pants was pretty difficult but now it has lost its sensitivity so it aint a problem no more. Good luck and DON'T fuck it UP!

 

[Galderis]

My recovery wasn't too bad. Didn't have much pain, but just couldn't have any form of sex for a few months.

How about masturbation?

 

[coolestguy]

How about masturbation?

No, don't do that. You want to minimize the number of erections during recovery.

 

[mmmniple]

As the title suggests, I'm on the fence about getting circumcised, and wondered if you guys here had any advice on this topic.

Some context:

• I'm 25 years old.
• I've always had a somewhat tight foreskin; I can retract fully when soft, but when hard, it is more difficult.
• I cannot pull my foreskin back behind my head, as the skin tends to bunch up in a big band at the ridge.
• These problems have gotten worse in recent years, with recurring irritation around the end of my foreskin.
• These bouts usually resolve themselves in time.
• Ironically, this sometimes starts after I've tried stretching.

I've been given a topical steroid cream by my GP to start stretching, but a mixture of struggling to establish the habit and occasional irritation mean I haven't seen much progress.

I'm not set on circumcision by any means, but I'm a bit concerned that stretching won't resolve my issue:

• If my foreskin bunches up around my head when I peel it back, will any amount of stretching really fix this?
• I've heard stories of guys who could originally retract their foreskin easily, but recurring irritation and micro-tears cause them to develop phimosis later in life.

As for circumcision itself, I guess the main thing that's putting me off is the recovery. The operation itself I've heard is pretty routine as things go, but I don't like the idea of rushing to a busy, understaffed hospital in the weeks after the operation if something goes wrong when I'm healing. Also, I wouldn't know what style to pick, and there seems to be a wide range of results for guys.

I can share pics privately if I trust ya.

So that's it. Hope this post isn't too much of a ramble, and intrigued to see what you guys think.

Obviously, I'll seek proper medical advice when the time is right, but I hoped some guys here might be able to give me their two cents.

Thanks!

Hello, I'm uncut although anyone could believe I'm uncut as I can retract it fully without issues.
My advice is get used to retract it constantly : both on erection and soft.
I believe circuncisión should be used on severe cases of phimosis.

They are toon of people who were cut who are into a process called "foreskin restoration" to have more skin which can cover the head. (they are several subreddits about it).
Being cut the underwear contact makes it less sensitive and dry.
"

• I've heard stories of guys who could originally retract their foreskin easily, but recurring irritation and micro-tears cause them to develop phimosis later in life.

"

This is the first time I read it.
If you want to talk, feel free to pm me.

 

[insfca]

Circumcision does not cure phimosis. Rather it's more like trading in the penis you have for a very different one. There are cures as you've apparently tried (steroidal creams and stretching devices). I don't really think of phimosis as a condition that requires a cure though. If the occasional irritation you experience clears up fairly quickly as you indicate, I wouldn't consider it much of problem that needs an intervention. And the recovery wouldn't be my main concern. You'll get over that eventually. The fact that it can't be undone is the bigger worry if you find, as many do, that your new penis doesn't work like the old one and you start to wish you had it back.

 

[Jimrap19]

Circumcision does not cure phimosis. Rather it's more like trading in the penis you have for a very different one. There are cures as you've apparently tried (steroidal creams and stretching devices). I don't really think of phimosis as a condition that requires a cure though. If the occasional irritation you experience clears up fairly quickly as you indicate, I wouldn't consider it much of problem that needs an intervention. And the recovery wouldn't be my main concern. You'll get over that eventually. The fact that it can't be undone is the bigger worry if you find, as many do, that your new penis doesn't work like the old one and you start to wish you had it back.

Dude wtf are u talking about? It 100% cures phimosis! I am living proof! If anything it's probably the ONLY cure for certain cases! I tried stretching exercises in the shower etc for YEARS before going ahead with it!