Hey I know how people can be about this so I'm pretty good at separating out the relevant info and peoples agendas. This is a big decision so if any part doesn't feel right, I'll make the call myself. And I've already made my choice. So don't worry, I'm curious to hear folks opinions on the matter.There are going to be people on here that comment not to help the OP but because they have an agenda on the cut/uncut debate.
I have an agenda so I am keeping my opinion to myself. Hope the OP finds a solution that addresses his issues and gives him a better quality of life.
Considering Circumcision - Advice?
- Thread starter Gummshoo
- Start date
You also said something about irritation. I have two questions. What do you use for cleaning the foreskin especially the inner part. And are you certain that you don't have an allergy against the fabric of your underwear?
WRT the irritation I actually thought it might be the fabric of my underwear for a time, I definitely noticed it happening more when I wore non-cotton / synthetic underwear.
However the best improvement came when I stopped using perfumed shower gel to wash down there (and started using Sanex Zero, which I saw suggested as a gentle body wash) and when I stopped stretching regularly. I think that was what caused a lot of my irritation. At least, that's my theory.
While I did not have the same issues as you, and for all intents and purposes had a normal and fully functional foreskin, I did manage to snap my frenulum in my late teens and it healed with some scar tissue which got me worried it might snap again whenever I had rougher sex.
For this, but also cosmetic reasons, I opted to get circumcised in my early 20s. The procedure was done free hand, I was cut tightly (glans fully exposed when flaccid was my request), with frenulum removal. The doc did keep around a inch or so of skin on the top side and gave me a V-shaped incision on the side where the frenulum used to be. It was done at one of the quite a few circimcision clinics in London that specialise in adult circumcisions and I found the doctor really good at his job.
Overall I am really pleased with the result. The healing was really not that bad - I was out of action for only a month - and the op itself was very straightforward. I literally had worse visits at the dentist for fairly standard dental work.
I am one of those that prefer being cut now, so while I cannot sadly give you an unbiased opinion, all I can say is that in my case I much prefer my penis without foreskin. It does allow for a wider range of sexual acts, especially rougher sex, the change in sensitivity is minimal at best once you are aroused, it does stay cleaner for longer (sponteanous oral is more likely to happen to me now), my orgasm control is somewhat better, and I love the look, as does my wife.
Your mileage can obviously vary, but count me up among those happily cut ones if it helps. Happy to answer any questions you may have.
For this, but also cosmetic reasons, I opted to get circumcised in my early 20s. The procedure was done free hand, I was cut tightly (glans fully exposed when flaccid was my request), with frenulum removal. The doc did keep around a inch or so of skin on the top side and gave me a V-shaped incision on the side where the frenulum used to be. It was done at one of the quite a few circimcision clinics in London that specialise in adult circumcisions and I found the doctor really good at his job.
Overall I am really pleased with the result. The healing was really not that bad - I was out of action for only a month - and the op itself was very straightforward. I literally had worse visits at the dentist for fairly standard dental work.
I am one of those that prefer being cut now, so while I cannot sadly give you an unbiased opinion, all I can say is that in my case I much prefer my penis without foreskin. It does allow for a wider range of sexual acts, especially rougher sex, the change in sensitivity is minimal at best once you are aroused, it does stay cleaner for longer (sponteanous oral is more likely to happen to me now), my orgasm control is somewhat better, and I love the look, as does my wife.
Your mileage can obviously vary, but count me up among those happily cut ones if it helps. Happy to answer any questions you may have.
I think the one benefit that is often overlooked when something needs to be done is that circimcision is often the quickest and most effective way of addressing foreskin-related issues. Sure, there is some psychological value to some in trying more conservative options first and saving the skin, but I'd also think about the mental toll that having foreskin issues can take on one. Circumcision can also mean an end to those issues in a matter of weeks, not years, and is sometimes the more sensible option.
And on NHS vs private - do go private. The NHS does not care much for style or end result as long as the tightness is resolved. However, there is also a wide spectrum of circumcisions and getting the right one can have a far greater positive impact on your sex life than going with the NHS default.
Yeah, I honestly dont get this at all, why would anyone have an agenda on this? I am against circum unless needed, and by all means try all the stretching exercises and steroid creams, etc. before, as circum is a last resort type of thing, but if all that doesnt work and u still cant fully retract the foreskin when fully erect, it's time to get the chop, unless u obvz dont have any sex then I guess it's ok!?There are going to be people on here that comment not to help the OP but because they have an agenda on the cut/uncut debate.
I have an agenda so I am keeping my opinion to myself. Hope the OP finds a solution that addresses his issues and gives him a better quality of life.
Well, do you trust the experts? Cuz that's literally what my doctor told me when I asked for a partial circum, chat gpt just confirmed it! And even then, it's not 100% certain, it just says phimosis MIGHT come back with a partial one, but are u really gonna take any chances and go through a second procedure and two recovery periods? Up to you!
I can still be convinced otherwise but right now I'm not considering partial, or just a frenulectomy. I'm just weighing up the benefits of high vs low and tight vs loose.
I don't know if I've posted already, but here's what I know.
In adult circumcisions, a low and moderate style is the medical norm. The foreskin is shortened/removed to the degree that the head is always exposed (radical cut). The shaft skin stays completely intact and is sewn together with the remaining 2 to 5 mm of inner foreskin. Usually, it is accompanied by a frenuplasty to keep the sensation. The handling of the penis after surgery is the same as before - movable shaft skin but now without foreskin gliding over the head. Depending on if you're a grower or shower, it will be a bit more tighter or looser.
Everything else is a cosmetic procedure. Some doctors perform different styles but adult high styles usually don't lead to good results because the usually get very loose and saggy over time, lead to more problems like swelling and uneven scars and sometimes missensations.
Ultra tight styles (like some American, Jewish or Muslim circumcisions) are usually not performed in adults. Higher styles are also usually only done in childhood because the inner skin is more flexible and can adjust better than the shaft skin when the penis grows.
So while the internet suggests that there are many options (because there is a variety of styles done in childhood), an adult a circumcision is quite the standard procedure. The only things you could discuss is whether you want to have frenuplasty or frenulectomy and whether the doc can remove a little bit more of the shaft skin or keep most of it. You might also ask the doc if they have a photo of an example circumcision so you can see if their stitching technique is aesthetically pleasing (which would be my primary concern).
My suggestion is to not obsess over the style, it doesn't make a big difference in the end for your own perception, and concentrate on finding a good doc.
Hope this helps.
Very helpful actually, thanks! Obviously I'll speak to the doctor when the time comes (and I will go private + do some shopping around) but this sets things out well. I'm not one of these people that wants a super tight circ for the sake of it, so ultimately I'll make my decision based on what's practical (I'm a grower not a shower) and the norm. I'd be comfortable with a low and moderate cut. I'd prefer to keep my fren if possible, but as I think it's one of the big causes of my issues, being too short, I may need to do something about it.
There is another method called proximal circ; IF you can comfortably retract they can retract the doc pulls it back and makes the cut at the base by the pubes. So the foreskin is not actually removed. Skin is removed at the base almost like a calamari ring ha. So any visible scar is by your pubes. There is no scar sensation by the glans. It just looks like a fully retracted foreskin. All the inner foreskin sensation is preserved as well as the frenulum. I would imagine the healing to be better with fewer erection issues of possibly tearing stitches or staples like with ZSR
