What is a Circumcision Revision?
A circumcision revision is a surgery performed to improve cosmetic appearance and function of a circumcised penis. While many men undergo circumcision as infants, some are left with unsatisfactory results that may not be apparent until adulthood. A circumcision revision modifies the skin covering the penis to fix problems created by the initial circumcision.
Why might I need a Circumcision Revision?
Common issues that might cause you to seek a circumcision revision include:
- Excess skin – appearance of extra or loose skin, even when erection, around the head of the penis. Can cause irritation to you or your partner.
- Skin bridges – skin of the penile shaft that fused to the head of the penis during healing and creates a tunnel underneath it
- Partial circumcision – insufficient skin was initially removed, causing you to appear uncircumcised
Circumcision revisions can be done for purely cosmetic reasons or to treat discomfort during sex or masturbation.
Preparing for your Circumcision Revision:
In general, preparation for a circumcision revision will involve the following steps:
- You may have bloodwork and other testing done at the hospital, although this is a low risk procedure and many patients require no specific evaluation
- The hospital will call you to confirm arrival time and instructions
- You will be asked if you have allergies to medications, anesthesia, or latex.
- You should inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you are taking.
- You should refrain from taking anti-inflammatories or blood-thinning medications a week prior to the procedure. Any blood thinning medications will be discussed with you and your doctors
- It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or might be pregnant, diabetic, asthmatic, or have any other medical conditions.
- You may be asked to refrain from eating 8 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time and drinking 2 hours prior to your arrival time.
- You should remove all metal objects and accessories such as eyeglasses, jewelry, watch, etc. as they can interfere with the imaging technique used.
- You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
What happens during a Circumcision Revision?
The exact steps of the procedure depend on the issue that it is being performed for. In general, an anesthesiologist will induce either sedation or general anesthesia, followed by a local nerve block given by your urologist. After the penis is cleaned thoroughly, excess skin is trimmed and any open areas closed. A dressing is placed after the surgery.
What can I expect after my Circumcision Revision?
Bandages placed after the surgery can usually be removed in two days. After removal of the bandage, place bacitracin ointment on the stitches twice per day until they dissolve. All stitches will dissolve, you do not need to have them removed.
You should not have sex or masturbate for 4 weeks after a circumcision.
What are the risk of a Circumcision Revision?
All surgical procedures have risk, but circumcision revisions are considered low risk procedures. There is a very low chance of infection, bleeding from the area, or formation of a localized blood clot called a hematoma.
Cosmetic improvement is expected but not guaranteed after the procedure. The majority of men who have a circumcision revision are happy with their results.
Circumcision revision does not cause shortening of the penis or erectile dysfunction.