What is a Circumcision?
A baby is typically awake for circumcision. He is usually positioned in a molded plastic seat that helps hold him safely in place. The penis and surrounding skin are cleansed with antiseptic before the procedure begins.
- Pain-Control Measures: several safe and effective pain-control methods can lessen a baby’s pain during circumcision. Ask your doctor about the type of pain control your baby will have ahead of time.
- Anesthetic: a local anesthetic is used to numb the area of the penis where the incision will be made. This includes a numbing medicine that is injected in the penis using a tiny needle. Your baby will feel very little as the needle goes through the skin.
Reason for circumcising your baby?
Your choice of whether to circumcise your son may be a religious, indigenous decision or could be influenced by your heritage. In other cases, parents may simply want their son to look like his father or other male family members. Many parents choose circumcision as it is said to be easier to keep the penis clean as dirt can become trapped in the extra skin.
The Ideal candidate
Circumcision at the age of 7 or 8 days is held as the ideal time for circumcision. However, it’s still possible to circumcise your child after 3 months old.
Ideal candidates are aware of the risks and complications and have realistic expectations.
In the case of infants, an ideal candidate should be:
- General good health
- No adverse reaction to the anesthetic
How Much Does Circumcision Surgery Cost?
Before any surgery can be scheduled a consultation must take place, where the surgeon will assess the patient’s needs and suggest the best procedure to achieve the required results.
Surgical costs are subject to:
- Duration of procedure
- Duration of your hospitalization recovery
- Additional procedures required
Consultation Fee: R1000
Circumcision Surgery Before & After?
Circumcision Surgery recovery
There is very little bleeding after circumcision, no matter which technique is used. Though you may see a little bit of blood oozing from the edge of the incision or on the diaper, this will generally stop on its own.
Your baby’s penis may be sore for a few days after the procedure, so be gentle when bathing him. Never use astringent and special bath products. Most doctors recommend keeping the area clean with warm water. If poop gets on the penis, soapy water can be used to gently wipe it away.
It usually takes between 7 to 10 days for a circumcised penis to heal from the procedure. Until it does, the tip might be raw or yellowish.
Circumcision | Risk | Side Effects | Scars
The risk of bad side effects from circumcision is low. A circumcision is considered a safe procedure with minimal risks. The most common side effect is bleeding or infection. When circumcision is not done the right way, the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) or penis may be hurt.
Side Effects:
- Infection: Infection is rare because doctors use sterile techniques to perform the procedure. Most circumcision-related infections are mild and easily treatable with antibiotics. Signs of infection include worsening redness, pus, pain, and swelling around the incision, or fever.
- Bleeding at the site: This is more likely when the child has a bleeding disorder, which is why it’s important to let the doctor know about any family history of bleeding or clotting problems. Very rarely, a small blood vessel may be nicked during the procedure. In most cases, this bleeding will stop on its own, but occasionally stitches are required.
- Risks associated with anesthesia: Local anesthesia is very safe, but it can sometimes cause bruising, bleeding, or skin irritation. Rarely, it can cause irregular heart rhythms, breathing problems, an allergic reaction, and, very seldom, death. These complications are not common, and usually involve patients who have other medical problems.
- Incomplete removal of the foreskin: Sometimes too much skin is left behind. This becomes less apparent as the child ages. Occasionally, if the excess skin is uneven, a corrective procedure may be required at a later date.
- Damage to the penis: In rare cases, the head of the penis can be injured during a circumcision. However, precautions doctors take almost always prevent this from happening.
These risks will be fully disclosed and explained by the surgeon.
If at any point post surgery a patient suffers from any of the followings – please consult your surgeon immediately:
- Excessive Bleeding
- Redness or Swelling around the tip of the penis that does not go down.
- Fever
- Not urinating within 12 hours after the circumcision
