Aftercare Advice for Procedures
Aftercare advice for circumcision, preputioplasty, or frenuloplasty indicates that your penis will be swollen and appear quite bruised. This is a normal effect of the injected anaesthetic and the handling it undergoes during the procedure. These symptoms will gradually diminish over a period of 1 to 4 weeks.
Underwear
If you usually wear boxers, you may find that they give insufficient support immediately post-operative. You may wish to consider some briefs that will hold your penis in position and thus reduce the frictional stimulation it would otherwise receive if allowed to swing freely.
The Bandage
The doctor will bandage only the immediate area of the circumcision cut. This bandage is typically wound tightly around the penis. It serves two purposes: to protect the wound and to contain and reduce swelling.
Removal of the initial bandage is a compromise between maintaining the compression for as long as possible to minimise swelling as fast as possible and changing the dressing on the wound before it sticks too much to the healing skin. 2 to 3 days after the operation is generally regarded as the most suitable time to change the dressing.
The bandage will most likely be well-caked in the blood (particularly the inner layers) and must be soaked off in the shower to avoid tearing the healing wound.
A thin coating of an ointment, e.g. Vaseline or Fucidin, before applying the bandage will reduce the possibility of blood, making it stick to the skin. Use Fucidin cream according to the doctor’s advice. If you choose not to use a bandage, a gauze pad may be helpful to prevent the stitches from catching in your underwear.
Promoting Healing
Do not apply any antiseptic cream to your penis, and do not add any antiseptic to your bathwater. While they can kill germs, most antiseptics are corrosive to new skin and slow down healing. In rare instances where an infection develops, consult our surgeons promptly. You may take Vitamin C and E regularly for ten days to promote healing. After two weeks, you can apply bio-oil to the wound for a few weeks.
Pain Killers
Everyone reacts differently concerning pain. For most people, circumcision will not be truly painful, but discomfort is expected during the first few days. If you choose to take painkilling tablets, then follow the instructions precisely.
Do not take more than the recommended maximum dose. If you have a favourite painkiller brand and the doctor has prescribed something else, ask about the effects of ‘mixing and matching. Do not take Aspirin or any blood-thinning medicine after your doctor’s advice since these thin the blood and have an anti-clotting action, which can increase bleeding from a wound after the circumcision.
The Stitches, Glue and Staplers
Circumcision with stitches (sutures in medical terminology) must remain long enough for the cut edges to knit together, but not so long that the surrounding skin heals completely. Stitches or staples generally fall off within 2-6 weeks. These soluble (or self-dissolving) stitches will detach spontaneously. Circumcision with glue typically comes away within ten days. If there is any loose glue, you may trim this loose portion, but do not peel off the remainder of the wound.
Travelling
You can travel home safely within 1-2 hours after circumcision or other foreskin procedure. Avoid long journeys for 24 hours. Do not fly for 24-48 hours. Take a flight after 48 hours if your flight is more than 4 hours.
Erections
To reduce the effect of nocturnal erections pulling on the stitches or Glue during the first few days after the circumcision, empty your bladder before retiring and a few times during the night. Do not lie on your back but on your side. It may be helpful to draw your knees up a bit into a more foetal position.
Sex
Do not be overeager to have sex until your circumcision has healed, usually taking up to 4-6 weeks. If you need relief during the healing process, try techniques that stimulate places other than the glans and scar line. These can include squeezing the shaft alone, massaging the nipples or prostate massage. To avoid excessive friction on the healing scar line, you may consider using a condom.
A condom should always be used for penetrative sex (even with a regular partner) until the scar line is completely healed and settled down, which may take two to three months to achieve.
Time off Work
There is no absolute need to take time off school or work after circumcision, but you may find it very hard to concentrate on work for the first few days, so a week off may be helpful. A week (or even two) off work is desirable if you do heavy lifting or if your job keeps you seated and unable to move freely for long periods.
Do not schedule a circumcision immediately before major examinations if you wish to pass them. You cannot get up and walk around to relieve any pressure on your penis. You should naturally avoid fast-moving or contact sports, cycling and swimming until your circumcision has fully healed for at least 2-3 weeks.
Please read further on adult circumcision, frenuloplasty and preputioplasty on our partner websites. Please see phimosis and its treatment.
Please be aware that the content on our information page is neither intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult our surgeon regarding any medical questions or conditions that may arise before or after circumcision and other procedures.