what should I do with my son?

Question

My son was born early and had a lot of health problems so I couldn't have him circumcised when he was first born nor could I have it done a few months after again because of health reasons. He is now in the clear to have it done but will have to have it done at the hospital because after three months (he is almost 4 now) it's actually considered a surgery. Since we have to do it this way he can't even get in till some time in Nov. or Dec. which means he will be 5 or 6 months by then. So should I even have it done seeing that he would be so old. I'm scared for h im going through pain because I know the older they get the more it hurts and also the complications that could come up........

Answer 1

Don't put it off unless you have to, he'll be just fine. My neighbor's son is 20 months and had it done Tuesday! He's just fine, just kinda out of it.

We had our boys' done at birth, but if you have to wait you have to wait....but I would do it soon if you can. They won't remember it, but it's better to do it when they are little.

It's not as bad as it seems.

Answer 2

You are right, the older they are..... If it were my son I think I would go ahead and schedule it now because he's only going to get older. As to whether you should do it at all is a personal choice. As the mother of 3 boys (all circumcised right after birth, but had complications with one) I would opt again for circumcision. There is the issue of cleanliness. While I know you would keep him clean, after he potty trains he may not always clean as well as you did and then when he starts school you won't be there to check. This can cause odors and even infections. Later in life, many men are very self conscious if they are uncircumcised and at that point it truly is a serious surgery. In the long run this has to be yours and his father's (if he is in the picture) decision and there is no wrong or right unless there are religious reasons to consider. I do wish you the very best with whatever you choose. I am so very happy your son is over his health problems! I will say a prayer of thanksgiving and for continued health.

God bless
fishergirl

Answer 3

On the plus side, studies indicate that circumcised infants are less likely to contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the first year of life. About one out of every 1,000 circumcised boys has a UTI in the first year, whereas the rate is one in 100 (at most) for uncircumcised infants.

Circumcised men may also be at lower risk for penile cancer, although the disease is rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised males. Although some studies indicate that the procedure might offer an additional line of defense against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly HIV, the results of studies in this area are conflicting and difficult to interpret.

It's also easier to keep a circumcised penis clean, although uncircumcised boys can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin once the foreskin becomes retractable (usually some time before age 5). However, some uncircumcised boys can end up with infected foreskins as the result of poor hygiene.

Some people also claim that circumcision either lessens or heightens the sensitivity of the tip of the penis, decreasing or increasing sexual pleasure later in life. But neither of these subjective findings has been proven to be true.

Although circumcision appears to have some medical benefits, it also carries potential risks - as does any surgical procedure. These risks are small, but you should be aware of both the possible advantages and the problems that can be associated with the procedure before you make your decision. Complications of newborn circumcision are uncommon, occurring in between 0.2% to 3% of cases. Of these, the most frequent are minor bleeding and local infection, both of which can be easily treated by your child's doctor.

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of the decision to circumcise is accepting that the procedure can be painful. In the past, it wasn't commonplace to provide pain relief for babies being circumcised, but because studies have indicated that it benefits the infant to receive anesthesia, most doctors will now provide it. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the use of pain relief measures for circumcision. Even up until recently, though, anesthesia hasn't been universally used, so it's important to ask your doctor ahead of time what, if any, pain relief will be utilized with your son.

Two primary forms of local anesthetic are used to make the operation less painful for your baby:

a topical cream (a cream put on the penis) that requires at least 20 to 40 minutes to take its full effect
an injectable anesthetic that requires less time to take effect and may provide a slightly longer period of anesthesia
Besides anesthesia, giving a pacifier dipped in sugar water can help reduce your baby's level of stress (and yours). Used together, these methods can decrease your baby's discomfort by more than 50%.

Answer 4

yes he will be in more pain at this age. there is no reason to have your son circumcised at any age much less at 6 months. I'm sure you have heard all the stories about other kids will make fun of him in the locker room, that he will have infection all his life, that a uncircumcised penis is a dirty penis. none of those things are true. if you do not have him circumcised i promise you when hes grown up he will THANK YOU so will his wife.sex is 100 times better for uncircumcised men and i can tell you for us wife's have no complaints. please think long and hard about this. I'm sure you will do the right thing for your son.

Answer 5

My friend had to take her 6 year old son to do that. It was hard on him, but the pain only lasts for a week or so. You can help him with Tylenol, or maybe the doctor can prescribe him some pain pills that are safe for him, seeing how he is so young. Personally, if it was me, I would go ahead and do it. It could save him a lot of infections later in life. Good Luck.

Answer 6

My son was born with medical problems and he couldn't have his surgery until he was a year old. His doctor explained to me that he would be give a general anesthesia and would not feel a thing. And when he returned from surgery he was fine. He ran around and played like nothing had happened. I would suggest that you get it done when you feel comfortable with the procedure. And most importantly talk to you pediatrician and see how they will actually perform the surgery, will he be awake or sleep?

Answer 7

Some people get circumcised later on in life, like 20-30 or so. But like you said, it will hurt more the older he gets. I'd say, just have him circumcised soon and get it over with. He'l hardly remember a thing when he gets older. I was circumcised when I was 1 (according to my Dad) and I dont remember a darn thing.

Answer 8

don't do it! here in UK it is almost unheard of, i have never known anyone who has been circumcised and opposite to what some of answers say, you would probably get teased here if you were circumcised! i have also never known anyone with a genital infection, thats just crazy thinking?? our cultures are so different, i cant even bare thinking of putting my son through such unnecessary pain

Answer 9

I would get him circumcised. I had the same problem with my oldest son he is now 36 years old and he tells me that in school kids often made fun him because he was not circumcised. It is cleaner and easier on them if you get it done and the longer you wait the harder it will be on him. Good luck

Answer 10

I understand your concern. My son IS NOT circumcised because my husband IS NOT either. If you keep it clean and do as the doc says you should no problems with out it being done. My husband has never had any problems because of it and it does not effect him sexually in any way.