I was born in 1940 into a family where circumcision was not discussed, much less practiced. My intact father dismissed my lone adolescent inquiry into the subject with the statement, "That's something for Jews and certain other religious groups or men with problems of the penis." End of discussion. What I learned about circumcision came from friends and medical textbooks. As a teenager, I began to experience occasional rashes beneath my redundant foreskin, which were quite painful. Again, my father's advice was terse, to the point and not very helpful: "Wash and dry youself better." End of second discussion.
Later, my wife who came from a family of circumcised males, graciously accepted my uncut status and abided my occasional bouts with what was later diagnosed as balanitis. Our sons were routinely circumcised soon after birth; however, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would go through life with an intact penis until I mentioned my recurring sub-foreskin infections during an annual executive physical offered by the company where I worked. The doctor examined my penis and asked if I'd ever considered an adult circumcision. I told him no and he suggested I talk with a urologist he recommended examine me and explain the option of circumcision. I quickly made an appointment.
After examining my penis with its inflamed head, he said that he would recommend circumcising me to end my periodic discomfort. He explained the procedure and various types of circumcision. I promptly scheduled my outpatient surgery for the following week, during a period when my wife was away on an extended vacation. I was in my mid-30s at the time.
The next week that same urologist/surgeon removed my troublesome foreskin in less than 30 minutes as I watched the procedure. He simply administered a local anesthetic and after my penis grew numb used surgical scissors and a scalpel to circumcise me using a freehand method, starting with a dorsal cut and clamping off the incised tissue. He then cut entirely around the circumference of my penis just below its glans, clamping and suturing the bleeding tissue. It was completely painless with only a sensation of pressure where the incisions were made. Within a matter of minutes he held up my newly circumcised penis for me to examine.
I had elected for a circumcision that left the head fully exposed when my penis was flaccid with only enough foreskin remaining to allow a full erection without causing any bending or curving my erect shaft. The suture line girding my penis was perhaps a quarter-inch or so below the corona. To say I was quite pleased with the results of the surgeon's handiwork would be an understatement.
My healing period was between three and four weeks. The only discomfort I ever felt was during nightly erections when I would awaken to a sensation of acute pressure along the suture line. This was not really painful, only briefly uncomfortable, fading immediately when my erection faded. And upon my wife's return, I immediately presented her with the news of my recent circumcision and showed her my newly circumcised penis -- which she examined with a smile and then thanked me for what she called a "pleasant surprise." We then began several weeks of what could be called a second honeymoon with intense lovemaking and exploration. More than once my wife told me how much better she liked the look, feel and taste of my circumcised penis. Her encouraging words were the perfect compliment for my overdue decision to end my discomfort and undergo an adult circumcision.
Now 60, I am completely satisfied with my circumcised penis -- as is my wife of 40 years. We still enjoy an active sex life and not a week goes by that she doesn't make a complimentary reference to my belated circumcision. I still have ample sensation in my exposed glans to be immediately aroused by her oral or manual stimulation. Orgasms are as intense as ever. Best of all, I have had absolutely no physical discomfort since my foreskin was removed -- and I now have the satisfaction and peace of mind that only circumcised men can know.
Circumcision made a big difference in my life -- a very positive difference. I'm thankful I finally mustered the personal courage to join the ranks of the circumcised. And I would encourage any uncircumcised man considering the surgery to talk to a qualified urologist/surgeon. It's never too late. I know!
James
Email: mrjames@cyberport.net