Healing is usually rapid and can be viewed in several stages. It should be remembered that this is like any other cut and that there are many factors that influence healing; but most importantly every child heals differently.

The First Day

The cut edge seals and bleeding ceases within minutes. Within hours, maybe a day, the area just behind the glans (especially the underside) will become swollen. This inflammation subsides within a week or two.

After the First Day

One to two days following the circumcision there may be an off white or yellowish, patchy appearance of the glans. These patches are a type of scab and are associated with normal healing.

You will also notice that the glans is red and glossy. This is because the skin covering the glans of an uncircumcised penis is mucous membrane (like the inside of your cheek). Once exposed, the mucous membrane will change and become skin like the rest of the penis. The penis should take on a "normal" appearance within about one month's time.

Complications

Circumcision is associated with few and infrequent complications, though as with any surgical procedure there are occasional problems.

The most common complication is bleeding. In most cases bleeding is controlled by direct pressure. Take a gauze with some Vaseline on it and gently press against the bleeding area. Hold gentle pressure for ten minutes. Then release the pressure and watch the gauze for any sign that there is continued bleeding. Check the gauze every five to ten minutes for at least one hour. If you are not sure that the bleeding has stopped call me.

(In the extremely unlikely situation that you find a diaper that is not stained but soaked with blood go immediately to the closest emergency room, or call 911.)

There are reported cases of infection, although these are rare. Common signs of infection include a pus discharge (not the dry yellowish patches mentioned above), a foul smell, excessive swelling or redness, local warmth, fever or rash in the penile area. With development of any of these signs please call me immediately and I will give you further instructions.

Some infections, which do not cause a fever but only mild symptoms, can usually be treated with a topical antibiotic ointment.

After the First Week

Final appearance of the penis is dictated by many factors and is the greatest cause for concern amongst parents. It should be remembered that everyone's anatomy is different and penises come in all shapes and sizes. The result of one circumcision cannot be identical to the next. Remember that there is wide variation in the appearance of penises. Your baby’s penis may not look like his father’s or his brother’s. Even twins can have very different anatomy.

While most penises begin to look healed within days of the procedure, some will continue to change until after the penis begins to grow. Furthermore, the penis may look smaller after the circumcision, since the foreskin (which is now gone) usually extends beyond the tip of the penis. Also, in chubby babies, the fat pad surrounding the penis may hide much of the shaft until the baby fat disappears.

After three weeks, if the edge of the skin has attached itself onto or above the ridge that divides the glans from the shaft of the penis, gently pull it down with each diaper change until it separates easily from the ridge. If it won’t separate, your pediatrician can pull it down. You can also call me about this.

Feel free to call me at any time with concerns. If your concern is not urgent you may also communicate via e-mail.