Healthy Living

What Should You Expect After a Circumcision?

Circumcision is the process of removing the foreskin of a male penis. Circumcision is done to both newborn males and older boys, or even adults. In all cases, it is the same procedure. Circumcision can be performed both at home and in the hospital. At home, it usually happens few days or weeks after a baby is born. This can also be done in the hospital. In most cases, both operations require anesthesia to keep pain at bay. It is an operation that is done within a matter of few minutes. A pair of scissors or a scalpel is used to gently remove the foreskin right behind the head of the penis.

General Things to Expect After Circumcision

After a circumcision it is normal to expect some changes in the look and feeling of either the penis or other organs of the body. These changes are normal for anyone undergoing the procedure, whether adult or a child. However, there are certain side effects experienced by newborns only. These changes may include:

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The penis, groin and scrotum turn reddish brown

This is a normal thing that happens to all people immediately after circumcision. These changes occur as a result of the medicine or liquid used in the cleansing of the skin around the penis before surgery. This liquid contains medicinal chemicals that cause changes in color. There is no need to worry, since the color will disappear with time.

A yellow crust on the penis tip

This is also normal condition that is brought about by reaction of body enzymes and chemicals used during the circumcision procedure.

A swollen shaft

As a result of the anesthesia used during the circumcision procedure, the shaft may appear swollen and raw. This is a change that can happen due to removal of the foreskin. It is facilitated by reduction of tension between the skin surfaces.

Trouble sleeping

This is an effect that is felt immediately after the procedure for newborns.

Things to Expect During the Healing Period

As the penis undergoes the healing process, there are a number of changes that takes place, where some of them may seem strange especially for a child. However, if the right care is taken, such abnormalities disappear within a short time. They may include:

Bleeding

This happens immediately after the procedure as the penis tries to heal itself. Depending on the precautions taken and the health of the person involved, it may last for hours or even a whole day before the bleeding stops completely.

Change in Size

Before circumcision, the skin of the penis is held tightly together. After the procedure, the penis may appear smaller as a result of relaxation of the skin as compared to its state before circumcision.

Swelling

It may seem like a cause for concern, but it’s not. It is one of the signs of healing. It happens mostly on the lower part of the penis head. However, this goes away within few weeks as the penis continues to heal.

These changes may appear to worsen, especially when the penis is about to heal completely. You should not react to these changes unless they worsen.

The Bottom Line

Things that people expect to experience after circumcision are entirely normal. However, there are cases where these changes might persist and require a doctor's attention. Contact a doctor if the following happens: