FAQ

When done professionally by a qualified & experienced specialist, complications are very rare, so circumcision poses no significant risk at all.

Most certainly! The circumcision is performed as Sharia Law prescribes. Indeed many Muslims prefer this traditional manner of circumcision in line with the traditions of Islam, as opposed to the modern Plastibell/ring method.

My mother, who had strong views on certain subjects, saw to it that I was immediately circumcised by a doctor. One would think that, even then, this was a fairly simple operation, but for some reason it was not completely or immediately successful. It had to be done again when I was nearly ready for my private school. I was not told that it was going to be done; no anaesthetic was administered; I was just laid across the doctor’s knees and recircumcised (if there is such a word). I still remember the pain, the blood, and my sense of total betrayal by the adult world. My younger brother, Neil, benefited by my misfortune. Deciding in future to trust only specialists in the matter, my mother engaged the services of a Rabbi to do the job on him, and this functionary, whatever his description, was entirely successful. 

Firstly, it is much more convenient to have it done in the comfort & privacy of your own home – no travelling, no waiting around and privacy to nurse your baby before & after the circumcision. Secondly, a clinic is visited by many babies & their families, each bringing with them their own germs & viruses. It is a known fact that many viruses are contracted in hospitals & clinics. The safest place for a healthy baby is in his own home where he is already acclimatized to his surroundings. Thirdly, by and large, the circumcision clinics all use the Plastibell method – which is not recommended; see “Why should I avoid doing a circumcision using the Plastibell/ring method” question.

Although the whole appointment lasts about an hour, the actual procedure is very quick – usually only a minute or two. This is one of the reasons that this method of circumcision is much preferred to the Plastibell/ring method which takes as long as 15 minutes!

Yes – a topical anaesthetic is used to numb the area. No injection is given since an injection is usually more painful than the whole circumcision.

No! With this method of circumcision, no stitching is required – the wound heals beautifully on its own.

Yes. He will have plenty of padding over the penis area so holding him normally should not cause him any pain.

Babies usually go back to normal within minutes after the circumcision. Since the penis is well protected and padded, there is no reason why he should be in any pain provided the aftercare instructions are followed.

Since the dressing is removed after only a few minutes, the healing starts immediately, taking 7-10 days to heal fully – and normally no longer than 2 weeks. During this time your baby should not be in any pain.

The aftercare is very straightforward. It just involves using gauzes & vaseline. It will all be explained to you following the circumcision & you will be given written aftercare instructions to refer to. Additionally, for 24 hours following the circumcision you are able to call AT ANY TIME for any questions or aftercare advice, so you are never on your own!

For the first 24 hours following the circumcision, it is recommended that you DON’T bath him. After 24 hours you can & SHOULD bath him. It is recommended that you give him a bath daily for the 2 weeks following the circumcision.

First the baby is weighed to ensure that he is fit to undergo a circumcision. He is then given a measured dose of paracetamol, orally. A topical anaesthetic is applied to numb the area. Using a special shield, the foreskin is isolated from the glans and in one second the foreskin is removed using a single-use sterile scalpel. A coagulating dressing is applied for only a few minutes, after which it is removed and no further dressings need to be used, leaving the circumcised penis free of any uncomfortable bandages, rings or ligatures.

Most certainly! I am in regular contact with the parents in the hours following the circumcision & I am contactable for any questions or aftercare advice at any time of day or night for 24 hours afterwards.

Provided the baby is healthy, the best age is from 1 week to 1 month old. At this age he feels less, he is less aware & the healing is much faster. Although circumcision can be done at any age, one should try to get it done within the first 3 months.

Once you return from the hospital you should call so that you will be able to get an appointment when the baby is in his second or third week.

You will normally be able to get an appointment within a week. During busier periods you shouldn’t have to wait longer than 2 weeks.

You can call 9:30am-11pm Sunday to Thursday and 9:30am-5pm on Friday. On Saturday you can send a text message or leave a voice message & your call/message will normally be returned in the evening.

Yes, I can do appointments on Sunday – that way you won’t have to take off work for the circumcision.

All the necessary supplies are provided. The only thing you need to get is a large (250ml) tub of vaseline. It is useful to have a bottle of baby oil at home but it is not actually required for the circumcision.