Circumcision
Schubert Atiga, MD, FACOG offers a full range of obstetric services at Lifetime Women’s Healthcare to women in the San Diego area, whether it’s managing high-risk pregnancies or performing infant circumcisions. To learn more about the OB/GYN services provided by Dr. Atiga and his experienced team, call Lifetime Women’s Healthcare in Chula Vista, California or schedule an appointment online today.
Circumcision Q & A
What is male circumcision?
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the protective layer of skin covering the tip of the penis. While circumcisions can be performed on adult men, they’re typically done shortly after birth, either before or after leaving the hospital.
Dr. Atiga determines when to perform your infant’s circumcisions based on their health after delivery and postpones the procedure if any medical conditions or issues are present.
Why are circumcisions performed?
Circumcisions are done for various reasons, including religious beliefs or family traditions. Other reasons behind circumcision might include:
- Easier personal hygiene
- Decreased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Preventing penile problems like inflammation of the foreskin
Circumcision may also reduce your risk of penile cancer, a rare condition that’s more common in men who aren’t circumcised. Also, women with circumcised sexual partners have fewer occurrences of cervical cancer.
While there are risks that come with not circumcising your baby, they’re rare and avoidable. Dr. Atiga works closely with you to decide if circumcision is right for you.
How is a circumcision performed?
Your baby’s circumcision takes less than 15 minutes.
To perform the procedure, Dr. Atiga administers analgesia to the area to minimize their discomfort. After cleaning the penis and foreskin, Dr. Atiga applies a special clamp or ring to the penis. He then cuts and removes the foreskin.
Following the circumcision, Dr. Atiga applies an ointment to the penis and wraps it in gauze.
What can I expect after my baby’s circumcision?
Healing after a circumcision generally takes around 10 days. Your baby might experience inflammation, bruising, or swelling on the tip of his penis, and it might be sore. In some cases, small amounts of yellow fluid may be present.
You should clean the penis as it heals and replace the bandages each time you change your baby’s diaper. In some cases, Dr. Atiga might use a plastic ring instead of a dressing. The plastic ring falls off on its own within a week.
To prevent irritation, you can apply a dab of ointment to your baby’s penis.
Call Lifetime Women’s Healthcare or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about infant circumcision.