Circumcision surgery is a procedure that removes the foreskin of the penis.
When I mentioned that I wanted to have my son undergo circumcision surgery, many people were shocked and questioned my decision. This choice was not made lightly; it had been on my mind since my nursing attachment in the male ward. Moreover, my husband also underwent the procedure when he was young, and together, we agreed that it was necessary.
Initially, I wanted to have it done when he was a newborn, as that is the best age for the procedure. However, I was overwhelmed with my eldest child’s medical condition and managing the kids without a helper, so the procedure was delayed until now.
What’s the best age for circumcision surgery?
Actually, there is no definite answer regarding the best age to perform the surgery.
The most commonly given advice is to do the surgery during the newborn stage. This is because newborns are less active, making it easier to clean and apply medication. Additionally, complications are reduced, and the recovery period is faster when they are younger.
Regardless of the age, the most important factors are that they can follow instructions, allow you to clean and apply medication, and maintain good hygiene.
You can read more on the research studies here.
Referal Letter For Circumcision Surgery
After discussions and my husband’s research, we decided to go through the subsidized route.
We made an appointment with the polyclinic and received a referral letter. The whole process was actually quite fast. I simply told the doctor that I wanted a referral letter to NUH for circumcision surgery. The doctor did a brief health check, and we received the referral letter along with an appointment 1 week later to see a NUH doctor.
Our hospitals are divided into different clusters, and we chose NUH for this procedure. We selected Toa Payoh as the clinic to get our referral letter, as both are under the National University Health System. It’s important to decide which hospital you want to go to and obtain the referral letter from the respective polyclinic under that cluster.
First Circumcision Surgery Appointment at NUH
Our first NUH appointment was three weeks after our initial visit to the Toa Payoh polyclinic.
First, the doctor conducted a health check on Didi. He also noticed that Didi’s foreskin was a bit tight for his age, which we all agreed on, as we’ve had difficulty teaching him how to clean properly, and he often expresses discomfort when we try to pull down his foreskin.
The doctor then proceeded to explain the alternatives, how the procedure would be done, and the aftercare involved if we chose to go ahead with the surgery.
When I shared this on my IG stories, I had followers asking how to tell if the foreskin is tight. Honestly, it’s a bit hard to explain, but if you notice difficulty pulling back the foreskin around the age of 5-7, along with constant infections or redness on the penis, it may be a good idea to consult a professional for an evaluation
After all the discussion with the doctor, we decided to go ahead for the procedure and we manage to fix a surgery date on the spot.
Because Didi is still young, even though it’s a straightforward surgery, the Professor reassured us that he will be the one performing it.
After the consultation, we proceeded with the financial counseling, a mandatory process for those undergoing surgery.
Circumcision Surgery Day
It’s a day surgery procedure. There isn’t much to prepare for the surgery except avoiding food and drinks after midnight since the surgery is scheduled for the morning. The only thing you need to prepare is helping your child understand the procedure. Try your best to explain it in a way your little one can understand.
One parent is allowed to accompany the child into the operating theatre. After the child is sedated, the parent will need to wait outside in the waiting area.
The whole surgery without any complication is about 30mins to 45mins. When my husband sent me updates both before and after the surgery, I felt so emotional. In hindsight, I’m glad my husband was the one to accompany him for the procedure.
About half an hour later, he was able to eat and drink well. My husband said his appetite was so good that he not only finished the hospital food but also ate the bread my husband had bought.
After 3–4 hours of monitoring, Didi was discharged with a follow-up appointment scheduled in one month for a review.
Post Circumcision Operation
After the operation, Didi has been coping well. There was no pain on the day of the operation as the anesthesia was still effective. A protective cover was placed over the surgical site, so there were no issues with bathing. We just need to use normal saline to clean the surgical area and apply medication, frequency based on the doctor’s instructions.
From the second day onward, due to swelling and sensitivity at the surgical site, he became much more cautious and walked slowly. We only gave him Panadol and didn’t use the Ibuprofen at all.
By the third day after the operation, he was able to run around and play at an indoor playground with proper care. And we removed the protective cover after that.
Cost Of Circumcision Surgery
Because we went through the subsidy route, our total cost for the surgery was about SGD $500–$600. The actual cost of the surgery depends greatly on its complexity and the medication provided.
As for whether it is covered by insurance, it depends on whether the surgery is required due to a medical condition and the terms of your insurance plan. Do check with your insurance provider for clarification.
The amount I provided is just a rough guideline for a Singaporean child undergoing surgery in a government hospital through the subsidy route. Actual bills may vary.
Tips
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially pants, to avoid rubbing against the skin and increasing discomfort.
- No need to wear underwear, just pants. This helps to air the surgical site and prevent the dry edges of the incision from sticking.
- If your child refuses to bathe or be cleaned, you can use lukewarm water in a bathtub or pail, without soap or anything and let your child sit inside. Keeping the surgical site clean is very important for hygiene.
Conclusion
If you have any question, feel free to comment below or drop me a DM on my social media.
This post is for educational purposes only. I realized that many people think circumcision is only done for religious reasons. In fact, it can also be for hygiene or medical reasons, which, in Didi’s case, applies to both. If you have any doubts or concerns regarding circumcision surgery for your child, be sure to discuss your questions and concerns with your doctor.