Circumcision
Removes the foreskin to treat a tight or repeatedly infected foreskin, or for religious reasons, usually as a day-care procedure.
- Surgery duration
- 20 to 45 minutes
- Anaesthesia
- Local in adults, general in children
- Hospital stay
- Day care
- Recovery
- 3 to 4 weeks to heal fully
On this page
Overview
Men often wait a long time before bringing this up. The foreskin has become tight and won't pull back, it cracks and bleeds during sex, or it keeps getting red, itchy and sore. In men with diabetes, repeated fungal infections under the foreskin are especially common. Parents come in for different reasons: a boy whose foreskin balloons when he passes urine, or one who keeps getting infections.
Circumcision removes the foreskin, the fold of skin covering the head of the penis (glans). The surgeon cuts it away just behind the head and joins the edges with fine dissolvable stitches. Adults usually have it under a local anaesthetic injection at the base of the penis, while children have a short general anaesthetic. You go home the same day.
The penis is swollen and tender for a week or so, and full healing takes about 3 to 4 weeks. After that, most men find hygiene easier, and the pain or infections that brought them in are gone. A tight foreskin in a young boy, though, is often normal and may just need time or a steroid cream, so not every case needs the operation.
Circumcision is one of the procedures our urology department performs, and the department has dedicated paediatric urology services for boys. Many men find this hard to talk about. Our urologists discuss it in a private, unhurried setting and explain every option, including non-surgical ones, before anything is decided.
Why it's done
Doctors recommend circumcision when the foreskin causes medical problems that simpler treatment hasn't solved. Families also choose it for religious or cultural reasons.
- Phimosis, a tight foreskin that can't be pulled back, in adults or in older boys after creams have failed
- Repeated infection and inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis (balanoposthitis), common with diabetes
- Paraphimosis, where a pulled-back foreskin gets stuck and swells behind the head. This is an emergency
- Scarring of the foreskin from lichen sclerosus (also called BXO), which makes it white, hard and tight
- Repeated splitting, bleeding or pain during sex
- Religious or cultural reasons, after a discussion of the risks
Is it right for you?
Usually a good fit
- Adults with phimosis, repeated infections or scarring
- Boys with scarring phimosis or repeated infections, after assessment
- Healthy enough for a short local or general anaesthetic
May not be suitable
- Young boys whose foreskin simply doesn't retract yet, which is normal and usually loosens with age
- Babies with hypospadias (the urine opening on the underside of the penis), since the foreskin may be needed for repair later
- An active infection of the foreskin, until treated with creams or tablets
- Uncontrolled diabetes or a bleeding disorder, until managed
Types and techniques
Conventional surgical circumcision
The standard method uses a scalpel or scissors, with electrocautery (a heated instrument that seals small vessels) and dissolvable stitches. It suits almost everyone and gives a neat, controlled result.
Stapler and device methods
Some centres use disposable stapler devices that cut and seal in one step. They're quick, but not everyone suits them, and the results are broadly similar to a well-done conventional operation.
Keeping the foreskin
For phimosis, a preputioplasty makes small cuts to widen the tight ring while keeping the foreskin. It suits people who want to keep it, but the tightness can come back, and it isn't suitable for lichen sclerosus.
Preparing for surgery
- An examination by the urologist, plus a urine test or blood sugar check if infections keep coming back
- Diabetes brought under control, which lowers the infection risk and helps healing
- Tell us about blood thinners and any bleeding problems in the family
- For a general anaesthetic, no food for 6 hours. Clear fluids may be allowed until 2 hours before, and babies can usually breastfeed until 4 hours before
- Wash the area well on the morning of surgery, and don't shave it yourself
- Bring loose cotton underwear, a lungi or a pyjama for going home
- Plan 2 to 3 days off work or school
The procedure, step by step
- 01
Anaesthesia
Adults get a local anaesthetic injection at the base of the penis (a penile block), which numbs it fully within minutes. Children have a short general anaesthetic, often with a numbing block so they wake up comfortable.
- 02
Marking
The surgeon marks where to cut, so the head ends up uncovered while the shaft skin stays loose enough for erections.
- 03
Removing the foreskin
The foreskin is removed along the marked line, and small bleeding vessels are sealed.
- 04
Stitching
The inner and outer skin edges are joined with fine dissolvable stitches, and a light dressing or antibiotic ointment goes on. It takes about 20 to 45 minutes.
Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Cures phimosis, paraphimosis and repeated foreskin infections
- Easier hygiene, particularly for men with diabetes or limited mobility
- Fewer urine infections in boys prone to them
- A lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, though condoms are still needed
- A short day-care procedure
Possible risks
- Swelling and bruising, common for 1 to 2 weeks
- Bleeding from the wound, usually minor and stopped with pressure, occasionally needing a stitch
- Infection, usually treated with ointment or tablets
- Narrowing of the urine opening (meatal stenosis) in boys, uncommon, causing a thin or deflected stream
- An uneven result, or too much or too little skin removed, occasionally needing a revision
- Changes in sensation at the head of the penis, which men describe differently
Recovery timeline
- 01
Day 0 to 2
The local anaesthetic wears off within a few hours, so take your first painkiller before it does. Rest at home in snug underwear, with the penis pointing up against the belly to reduce swelling.
- 02
Days 3 to 7
Swelling peaks and then settles. Shower from day 2 and pat dry gently. Children can be bathed in plain water. Petroleum jelly on the tip stops it sticking to underwear or nappies.
- 03
Weeks 2 to 4
Stitches dissolve and fall away over 2 to 3 weeks. Most men are back at office work within a few days, but should avoid cycling, two-wheeler rides and heavy lifting for about 2 weeks.
- 04
Weeks 4 to 6
The wound is usually fully healed. Wait about 4 to 6 weeks before sex or masturbation, so the scar doesn't split.
When to call your doctor
- Bleeding that soaks through the dressing or doesn't stop with 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Not passing urine for 8 hours or more after surgery
- Swelling that keeps increasing, or skin turning dark blue or black
- Fever, pus or a foul smell from the wound
Call us on +91-8826000033 or come straight to our 24/7 emergency department.
Alternatives to surgery
Steroid cream
For phimosis in boys, and in some men, a mild steroid cream on the tight ring twice a day for 4 to 8 weeks, with gentle stretching, loosens the foreskin in most cases.
Treating infection and diabetes
Repeated balanitis often clears with antifungal creams, careful hygiene and better blood sugar control. Circumcision is considered when infections keep returning despite this.
Emergency release of paraphimosis
A stuck foreskin can usually be eased back by hand in emergency after numbing and reducing the swelling. If that fails, a small cut (dorsal slit) releases it, and circumcision is planned later.
Talk to our Urology team
Ask about your options, the cost and your insurance before you decide. See the insurance and TPA panels we work with.
This page explains Circumcision in general terms. Your own plan depends on your health, your test results and your doctor's advice. Please read our medical disclaimer.
Your care team
Circumcision is led by our Urology team, with other departments stepping in at each stage of your care.
Urology Department
At Prakash Hospital, our Urology Department specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system, offering expert care with advanced surgical and non-surgical solutions.
What the department treats
Laser Lithotripsy
Laparoscopic Urology
Prostate Care
Male Infertility Treatment
Urinary Incontinence Management
Endourology
Other departments involved
Pediatric
Checks boys before surgery and advises parents on fasting, anaesthesia and pain relief at home.
Visit departmentGeneral Medicine
Brings blood sugar under control when diabetes is behind repeated infections.
Visit departmentSkin and Hair
Treats skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus or fungal infection that can cause or mimic phimosis.
Visit departmentMeet the specialists
Related procedures
Procedures often considered alongside Circumcision, or that treat related conditions.
Vasectomy
Permanent male contraception: the sperm tubes are cut and sealed under local anaesthetic in about 30 minutes.
Learn moreCystoscopy
A camera test that looks inside the bladder and urethra to find the cause of bleeding, infections or blockage.
Learn moreGeneral & Laparoscopic SurgeryHernia Repair (Laparoscopic)
Pushes the bulge back and reinforces the weak abdominal wall with mesh, by keyhole or open surgery.
Learn moreMore in Urology
Other procedures our Urology team performs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Circumcision at Prakash Hospital, Noida.
At what age should a boy be circumcised?
Does it hurt afterwards?
Will circumcision affect my sex life?
I have diabetes and keep getting infections under the foreskin. Will circumcision help?
Is circumcision covered by insurance?
How should I clean the area while it heals?
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