Need some help here!

So, I’ve got this one issue that’s been weighing on me for years now, and honestly, I think it’s the elephant in the room when it comes to my low self-esteem and those depressive slumps. It’s phimosis. A few years back, I actually went to see a private urologist, but let’s just say the exam was a total disaster—I just couldn't handle it. No matter how hard I tried to keep my cool (I even tried gripping my hands tight to distract myself!), I just couldn't stay calm. But the real kicker? The part that totally floored me? I was told the procedure—I think that's the right word for it—is done strictly under local anesthesia. I really need to get this sorted out once and for all because I've been putting it off for way too long. If anyone has any advice, or maybe a recommendation for a doctor who has nerves of steel and can handle someone a bit high-strung like me... anything would be so appreciated!

Are we talking about a standard circumcision or one of those newer preputioplasty techniques?
Was this something you were born with, or did it develop because of frequent infections?
I assume you’ve already tried stretching the area using steroid creams?

There’s a specialist—I think his name is Dr. Kaplan or something similar—who is quite well-known for handling these kinds of "urological issues." He runs a private practice, and if I recall correctly, he performs minor procedures right there in an outpatient setting. The only thing is that a standard consultation with him usually runs about $150

@ dolcevita

Keywords: phimosis, circumcision, foreskin.

Basically, it’s a narrowing of the foreskin that makes it impossible to retract over the head of the penis.

If a guy wasn't circumcised at birth, he usually learns as he grows up to pull the skin back to clean underneath. That's where the issues start.

Even though my son was taught how to handle it properly, by the time he hit 12 or 13, he just couldn't pull the skin back over the head anymore.

He eventually had a circumcision, which was a bit rough—not the surgery itself, but the sensitivity of the newly exposed skin. It took some getting used to. I know for a fact he never went back to see that surgeon/GP again.

I don't really get what people mean by needing a "specialist with nerves of steel." Are you saying you're just unnecessarily terrified?

Speaking as a man, I know it's sensitive, but it isn't some massive deal. We aren't talking about spinal or brain surgery here.

You just have to tell yourself that it's not a major operation. It's a little sensitive, sure, but you'll recover without any lasting issues.

The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can move past the fear, the anxiety, and the depression.

Amanda Lee42 said:Are we talking about a standard circumcision or that newer type of preputioplasty procedure?
Did you deal with this from birth, or did it start happening because of constant infections?
I'm guessing you might have already tried stretching things out with steroid creams?

To be honest, I’ve never even heard of preputioplasty before!
It feels like I’ve had this since I was born, anyway.
And no, definitely haven't tried the cream route—honestly, the mere thought of that makes me a little nervous!

There’s a specialist, I think his name is Kapun or something similar, who is pretty well-known for handling these kinds of "urological issues." He runs a private practice and I believe he does smaller outpatient procedures there; just a standard consultation with him usually runs about $150

What about seeing doctors through the public healthcare system?

Jamie Clark74 said:@ dolcevita

Keywords: phimosis, circumcision, foreskin.

Basically, it’s just when the foreskin tightens up so much that you can't pull it back over the head.

Unless someone was circumcised right at birth... if they weren't, and then as they grow up, they learn to pull the skin back to clean underneath, things can start getting tricky.

Even though my son was taught how to handle it properly, by the time he hit 12 or 13, he just couldn't pull the skin back over the tip anymore.

He ended up having a circumcision, which wasn't exactly easy at first... not because of the surgery itself, but because of how sensitive the new skin felt once it was exposed... it took some time to adjust. Honestly, we never went back to see that surgeon/GP again.

I don't really get why you're looking for a "specialist nerve doctor"—are you saying you're just incredibly overwhelmed by the whole thing?

Look, speaking as a guy, I know it's sensitive, but it’s truly not that big of a deal. It's not like undergoing spinal surgery or brain surgery!

You just have to tell yourself that it isn't a massive, scary operation; it’s a little sensitive, sure, but you'll bounce back without any issues.

The sooner you just get it over with, the sooner you'll move past all that fear, anxiety, and the blues.

Oh man, that is exactly what I'm terrified of! My tip gets pretty sensitive whenever the skin isn't covering it (well, as much as I can manage to pull it back).

I think I’m eventually going to have to go through with a circumcision. How long does it usually take after the procedure before everything feels (finally!) okay? And how am I supposed to deal with erections during recovery? I've heard stories about stitches popping open...

I honestly can’t quite wrap my head around the current state of the public healthcare system here,

My husband was dealing with some issues recently—and you know how men get about groin problems—it's just one of those sensitive topics, right? ;-) I mean, imagine having to visit a gynecologist every six months! ;-))) Anyway, he originally went to see a specialist at the Mayo Clinic, who provided a clear diagnosis, but then the doctors at the local hospital were just... well, they seemed completely intimidated by him.

It makes me wonder, why wouldn't parents just have a child circumcised if the diagnosis was already there from the start?

If I recall correctly from reading an American parenting magazine, the standard recommendation for treating phimosis is to go through with the procedure
as early as possible.

Amanda Lee42 said:Why didn't your parents just have you circumcised when you were a baby since you already had the diagnosis?

I think I read in one of those parenting magazines that if there's phimosis, the recommendation is to get it handled
as early as possible.

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure—I guess they just assumed things would resolve themselves through "stretching exercises." But, uh, I definitely didn't follow those instructions. To be totally honest, I still vividly remember the single most intense pain I've ever experienced in my life; it happened back at the local County Hospital, if I recall correctly. Some doctor there forced the foreskin all the way back while my dad was literally holding me down on the exam table. So, yeah, naturally, the thought of ever being back on that table absolutely terrifies me. Even the idea of a standard checkup makes me break out in a sweat. Just thinking about fingers... well, any fingers... is enough to make me shudder. But I know deep down I really need to get this sorted out.

Does anyone here happen to know much about how things work with doctors at public clinics or state-run hospitals?

Nothing at all?

Maybe try editing the title? You could add something in parentheses like "phimosis" or "urologist" just to be clear. It might be that people are scrolling right past because the current heading isn't catching their eye. I honestly can't believe nobody is weighing in; you'd think someone would just go see a specialist at a clinic. 😕

I’d love to help you out if I knew anything about this, but unfortunately, I'm clueless.

dolčevita said:I don't know, I think they were just expecting it to sort itself out during the "exercises." But nope, I didn't follow that advice at all. Honestly, I can still feel the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life; if I remember correctly, it happened over at the local community clinic in Seattle. Some doctor there basically forced the foreskin back all the way while my dad had to hold me down on the exam table. So, naturally, the idea of ever being back on that table absolutely terrifies me. I dread the actual exam, too. And the fingers... any kind of fingers... ugh. But I know deep down I really need to get this taken care of.

Does anyone here have any inside info on doctors working for the public health system?

Correction: actually, that happened at the hospital downtown...

My parents were just too naive, you know? They put way too much trust in the medical establishment. If they’d been a bit sharper—maybe more experienced with how things work—they would have just sent me for the procedure right away.

And... honestly, I'm starting to think it isn't even worth the gamble with the government-run clinics, because they're going to come looking for money eventually anyway (you know how the American healthcare system works).

I’m seriously debating whether I should register a new nickname... maybe something like topless... 🙂

So, day nine is officially winding down. Honestly, the pain hasn't been too bad (and I really want to emphasize *too* bad!), though I still get hit with these random waves of anxiety and paranoia every now and then.

By the way, Dr. Miller is absolutely fantastic. He isn't even that pricey ($83 just $150 for the consultation, and $1,200 for the actual procedure).

I haven't quite summoned the courage to hop in the shower yet, so I've been doing this nightly ritual of cleaning everything with lukewarm chamomile tea. I actually think those middle-of-the-night erections are helping in more ways than one (even if they do keep me up all night!)—mostly because they help things detach from the hair down there and just get my skin used to the feel of fabric again...

The stitches are finally starting to come loose...

Oh, we’re just thrilled for you.🙂

Thanks! 🙂

I honestly feel like a whole new person today. I finally managed to get myself through a shower! I kept the water pressure low and avoided hitting anything directly, instead just working up a nice lather with my body wash and gently massaging it into my scalp. I was actually being pretty strategic about it too—trying to stay "excited" enough to make sure I could properly clean everything down there—and once I was done, I finished things off by slowly rinsing everything with some lukewarm chamomile tea... very gentle... very gradual...

Does anyone happen to know when these stitches are supposed to just fall out on their own?