Circumcision Post-operative information for adults : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

What to expect following surgery

Your foreskin has been removed and this is called a ‘circumcision’. You will have a stitched wound around the top of the penis just under the head (glans). Circumcision is usually performed as a day case meaning that you have your operation and are discharged home on the same day.

You may feel tired and dizzy when you go home after the surgery if you have had a general anaesthetic. It may take 24-48hrs to wear off completely but it is not necessary to remain in bed for this whole period. Gently moving around will help your blood circulation and help prevent blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT).

Dressings: The operative dressing will either be removed before you leave the hospital, or you will be asked to remove it yourself at home. If you do still have the dressing on once you get home, please remove this within 24 hours. Soak it off using warm (not hot) water. Do not pull the dressing off as this may cause the wound to start bleeding. It shouldn’t be necessary to apply another dressing. If you notice some small spots of blood, place a dry pad against the wound for up to a few minutes to stop it. For comfort you may wish to wear loose comfortable clothing for the first week.

Washing: Please try and keep your wound as clean and dry as possible. A quick shower daily will keep the wound clean, but you must avoid soaking in a bath for long periods (less than 5 minutes) for 14 days. Do not use soap directly on the wound until it is fully healed although it is fine for soap to run over the wound. Do not rub the wound when drying instead gently pat the area dry. Do not use cotton wool or tissues on the wound as this may cause them to stick instead use something clean and absorbent such as a soft towel.

Please do not touch your wound unless you have washed your hands thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection  

Stitches: Your stitches are dissolvable and do not need to be removed. It is normal for them to take several weeks to dissolve.

Returning to work: Every patient reacts differently to anaesthetic and there is no definite rule as to when you should return to work. Most people take a week off work But if you have a very active job then you may need to take a little longer. You can discuss this with your GP or hospital team.

You may experience

Swelling: You can expect a little swelling at the wound site. We would expect this to resolve over the next few weeks. Wearing the penis against the abdomen in supportive underwear will also help to reduce swelling.

Bleeding: It is normal for there to be a slight ooze of blood or yellow coloured fluid onto the pad which is nothing to be worried about. Although not usual it is possible to have some bleeding from the wound. If bleeding does occur, use a clean cloth or gauze and press firmly on the bleeding area for 15minutes. If it doesn’t stop after 15minutes attend your local A&E department.

Glans sensitivity: The glans (head of your penis) will feel very sensitive for a few weeks following the circumcision. This is nothing to worry about and you will find it becomes less sensitive with time.

Erections: It is perfectly safe to have erections after this surgery. However, if you do experience erections, they may be uncomfortable for the first few weeks following the operation.

Follow up appointment: You will be reviewed in clinic by the surgeon within six weeks after surgery.

Aftercare: You must not have sex for four weeks following surgery.

If you experience:

Persistent bleeding
Pain which is not controlled by the prescribed pain killers
A fever of 100 (38 C) or higher
You have redness and or discharge from the wound

Contact the Clinical Nurse Practitioner or your medical team via the numbers on the next page. Out of hours, please contact your GP or nearest A&E Department.