Care at Home After Adult Circumcision

How You Might Feel After Your Operation

• You may feel slightly nauseated after surgery.
• The anaesthetic may cause you to feel dizzy or sleepy for 24 hours.
• You may have a slight temperature for 2 days.
• Your penis may be red and swollen for about 1 week.

Incision Care

• You may take a bath or shower after 2 days.
• Stitches are self-dissolving so they do not need to be removed.
• For 2 days keep your penis covered with Vaseline and a gauze square. This will reduce discomfort when you urinate and prevent gauze from sticking to your penis.
• If the gauze falls off you will need to apply more Vaseline and a fresh gauze square.
• After 2 days remove the gauze dressing but continue to apply Vaseline to your penis for 7 days.
• An ice pack may be used on your penis to relieve pain-apply the ice pack for 15 minutes and take it off for 15 minutes throughout the day. Do not leave the ice pack on continuously.

Pain and Medication

• Take only the medication for pain that your surgeon prescribes
• Follow your surgeon’s order about when to start taking your usual medications
• Apply ice pack if necessary (see above)

Follow-Up Care

• Call your surgeons office and make an appointment within 2 weeks.
  

Nutrition

• Eat light foods for the first day, such as tea, toast, soup and Jell-O®-drink extra fluids.
• By drinking extra fluids you will dilute your urine and decrease pain when you urinate.
• If diabetic, follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding diet and medication.

Activity and Exercise

• For the first 24 hours after your anaesthetic, do not drive, operate heavy equipment, drink alcohol, smoke or make important decisions.
• Arrange for someone to be with you the first night at home.
• You will need to rest for 2 days following your surgery.
• Return to work as soon as you feel comfortable.
• Refrain from sexual activity until discussed with your surgeon at your follow-up appointment.

You need to contact your doctor if you have:

• A fever that persists after 2 days;
• Bright red bleeding from your incisions;
• Swelling, pain or a foul smelling discharge at your incisions;
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that persists after 24 hours;
• Severe pain unrelieved by pain medications;
• Difficulty going to the washroom;