The Art of Adult Circumcision
Recently, I was interviewed about my experience with circumcision. No, not my own circumcision, but my surgical ability at performing this procedure. While there is ongoing debate about whether circumcision should be performed in the first place, the main concern that my patients who are considering circumcision as adults express is: “Doc, is this going to affect the feelings in my penis?”
The Hood
When performing circumcision, the doctor removes a circumferential “sleeve” of tissue located behind the head of the penis and then reconnects the remaining tissue edges. Admittedly, this surgery is performed remarkably close to the “G-Spot.” You heard that correctly, men have a G-Spot just like women do. For men, it is generally located along the V-shaped indentation on the underside of the head. With that in mind, men have reason to be concerned about losing sexual sensation after circumcision since this surgery occurs right next to ground zero.
Get the Sensation
My mentor and dear friend Dr. Joel Marmar developed a “nerve sparing” approach that deliberately preserves the maximum amount of sensory nerves possible during circumcision. As a professional who constantly strives to improve my skills as a surgeon, I have adopted this innovative technique to ensure that my patients don’t have to sacrifice much sensation.
Traditional circumcision tackles the complete thickness of the foreskin, which removes both the skin and the underlying tissue full of nerves and blood vessels. When I perform this technique, I am able to get rid of just the outer skin layer called the epidermis, leaving behind the sensory nerve tissue (or what I like to call “the good stuff”) below. Logically, the sensation of the penis is better protected with this method.
Dr. Marmar’s technique is a much more precise and demanding procedure than traditional circumcision, but is not too big a task for a professional like me who has extensive training in complex penile hypospadias repair. It’s basically right in my wheelhouse.
Recovering as an Adult
When circumcision is performed on newborns and infants healing occurs rapidly and the risk of complications is very low. However, circumcision is really a safe procedure for men of any age, so if for health or religious reasons you desire to get the snip, don’t worry, you have not aged out.
As far as recovery goes, one can expect some swelling and maybe some bruising of the penis in the first couple days after the procedure; this subsides over one to two weeks. Discomfort is typically very manageable with prescription or over-the-counter medication for a day or so. Most patients return to work off of pain pills in 2-3 days. Wearing loose clothing helps men “adjust” to the new sensations that the exposed penis now feels. Unfortunately, sex is off the table for 1-2 weeks after circumcision. Erections might also be painful while healing, but thank goodness this doesn’t persist for very long. The penis has great power to get back to its old working self.
To Answer the Question
To finally answer the popular question about circumcision, I am pleased to report that the vast majority of patients do not notice a difference in their erections or orgasms after having the procedure. Of course the penis may be more sensitive at first, but that is the natural consequence of exposing it to the world for the first time without its covering. After about one month, the penis should be fully and normally back in action. As urologist who focuses on sexual health and performance, I understand the men would like to avoid anything that may sacrifice the feeling and well-being of their penis, and I can assure you that circumcision does not pose such a threat.
