Circumcision reversal?

[pdj]

So, I was circumcised at birth and have hated it ever since. I know others who feel the same way, so I know I am not alone (mothers and fathers-to-be take note!). It's not a physical thing, as mine was ostensibly normal (no skin tags, uneveness, scarring, etc.), but it REALLY hurts me mentally. I can't believe that my parents, who are amazing people, would do something so incredibly callous. Let's be honest, circumcision is about society and the parents' opinions and 9 times out of 10 has nothing to do with the kid's interest. Anyhow, I am curious about two things:
(1) Is there a surgical option to restore my penis to the look of a normal (uncircumcised) penis? I am not talking about manual restoration or creating a faux foreskin that covers the whole penis, but just something that covers enough so I don't look circumcised. I saw a plastic surgeon once (I live in LA; they're a dime a dozen) and he said it might be possible.
(2) Are there any groups or counselors that specialize in people like me who have been traumatized by this? I really feel like I have been raped, in that I feel horrible feelings about doctors, have nightmares and feel naseous when the procedure is mentioned, but no one seems to care (not that I go around sharing this information, but there doesn't seem to the same forums as are available for traditional rape victims). Again, I'm not looking for groups such as NORM that concentrate on "restoration", though I appreciate that they are trying to help. I am looking in LA and NY (where I currently go to school). THANKS!

[RockRose]

Trial,  no they haven't.  Some groups carry this flag,  so they create websites like this.

The reason Africa is riddled with AIDS,  is because the men there aren't circumcized.  Period.  That's the reason.  That's the reason men,  women and children are dying of this horrid disease, is because men are not cicumcized.  

Who would have known to predict that?  Probably no one,  but it's a blessing that came with this kind of odd surgery.

I read the Men's forum all the time,  and MAN there's a lot of men who have trouble with tight foreskins.  And babies who have the same thing.

This seems kind of like wisdom teeth and tonsils.  Who is rolling around on the ground screaming they wish they had their wisdom teeth and tonsils back?  No one.  

Sorry I seem so short tempered.  But enough with this blaming the parents for foreskin removal,  I REALLY REALLY want to hear this original poster explain why he is so angry.

Best wishes.

[Trialanderror]

Can`t really help you but if you need more web links dealing with that subject, here you go -http://www.wankers.com/1/w1/links.htm  I have always been surprised that not too many men seem to be angry about having been mutilated at birth. Wonder if there are any statistics that show men of "circumcizing countries" hate their mothers....

[RockRose]

PDJ -  I have three sons,  and had all three of them circumcized.  It reduces the chances of a myriad of infections,  including HIV and HPV,  and for boys in upper middle class public schools,  there are MANY more circumsized boys.  

Youre parent's probably took this decision very very seriously,  and tried their very best to do the right thing.

How in the world did you know "from birth" that you were circumcized?  I'm kind of puzzling how this could have been "traumatic" like a rape,  and who told you from birth that you were different.

[Trialanderror]

www.nocirc.org  Times have changed dramatically.

[pertykitty]

a child could never know the difference. my son is 8 and he doesnt know that he was cir. he probably just thinks its is how all boys are. it honestly sounds like there is a phyc. issue behind this. id get that figured out. or you can do like on friends, use some double sided tape and sillyputty . lol.

[peekawho]

If circumcision was so beneficial, there would be at least one Association of Pediatrics somewhere in the world that recommends it be done.  There is not.  It is considered "up to the parents".  In my humble opinion, it should be up to the person whose genitals are being altered.  

No other country in the developed world circumcises its infant boys to the extent that the United states does. Most of the men in the world are uncut.  

Infants feel the same pain that older boys or men due during circumsion.  Perhaps more, as urine touches the raw penis head for a week or two.  And infants are not given general anesthesia, as older boys or men are.  Plus infants can only take Tylenol drops, as opposed to the stronger pain meds older children and men are given.

We just feel like infants "forget" the pain.  Perhaps they do.  But they experience it, make no mistake about it.  It is a painful procedure done for no PROVEN medical benefit.  The AAP does not recommend routine infant circumcision, RockRose.  There are many factors at play in the current AIDS epidemic in Africa.  Circumsision plays the LEAST role in it.

[RockRose]

Peek - the AAP is a very political organization.  They've come about as close as they can come to recommending it,  without actually doing so.  Note their statement,  made in 1999 (the last one I could find on the issue),  and note that the website publishing it has opted to highlight the only negative portion of it.  The first phrase says it all,  in my opinion.  It's beneficial,  they know it,  and they don't dare say it more clearly than this for political reasons.

http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/aap1999/

We could go on and on back and forth arguing this.  The bigger picture, in this thread,  in my opinion,  is that the original poster seems to have focused so much energy on this issue,  when he could be doing something positive.

[peekawho]

Rose, it might seem important to him.

And btw, it's not just the AAP.  No Pediatrics Association in the world RECOMMENDS routine infant circumsion.  You can argue it until the cows come home.  

The benefits are theoretical, and not so overwhelming that they outweigh the risks of mortality and morbidity associated with RIC.  
It is a surgical procedure that has risks, like any other.

If it were CLEARLY beneficial, there would be recommendations to do it by the associations of the very doctors who would stand to benefit financially from mass RIC.  Namely, the AAP.  They'd LOVE to recommend RIC.  Big bucks!  

The fact is that most of the worlds men are NOT circumsized.  It is decreasing here in the US, also.

All I'm saying, is that leave it to the person upon whose genitalia will be altered, to make the decision.  Once done, it's done.  It can always be done later, so why the hurry to do it before the person himself can declare he wants it?  Why the objections to letting the man decide for himself when he is capable of understanding?

That's what I don't get.  

[Trialanderror]

I knew this would turn into a heated debate and I promise to stay out of it soon...I do however very well understand that pdj feels "raped" which simply means something had been done against his will. At least for a short while even baby girls who get their ears pierced might feel that way. So many hurtful things are done for no other reason than esthetics, religion or somebody else`s profit. Think of all the hysterectomies, tonsillectomies, extraction of teeth that may not have been necessary. In a few countries dental surgeons are even pulling all of children`s baby teeth if they find one major cavity, as a so-called precaution. It is a money-maker. And think of Africa again where female circumcision is still practiced in some areas, with glass shards...I always thought physical integrity was a human right and parents should help to enforce it.
I can say for myself that I do regret the routine tonsil removal that was done at age 3 as now each cold ends up right in my chest. And I am glad I demanded to keep my wisdom teeth - they may come in handy if I ever need to get a bridge attached. I am glad that I still have all my own crooked teeth even though at age 18 a dentist tried to talk my parents into giving me upper and lower crowns for esthetic reasons.  As a rule I would like that parents rather delay some procedures, if at all possible, until their children can makes their own decisions.

[peekawho]

I'm bowing out, too.  I'm confident in my feelings, as I'm sure RR is, too.  

[Jules_za]

Sorry but what a load of rubbish, really… to say "The reason Africa is riddled with AIDS, is because the men there aren't circumcised. Period. That's the reason. That's the reason men, women and children are dying of this horrid disease, is because men are not circumcised." is absolute krap. In Africa a boy is not considered a man until her goes through initiation at puberty which involves circumcision. Most African men are circumcised. The reason Africa is riddled with aids is because it is mostly considered a White mans disease, and they don't believe in wearing condoms and infidelity is rife. Also some African presidents and ministers of health go around saying HIV does not cause aids, and some traditional healers say having sex with a virgin cures aids, or sex with 10 month old babies cures aids, or garlic and beetroot cures aids.  Circumcision has nothing to do with the problem of aids being rife in Africa.  If you must blame something blame poverty and lack of education.

[babygal19]

alot of people have it done due to religion believes and that is why all my sons are or will be circumcisied

[ctsmom]

after a lot of research and thought, I have not and will not my son's, there are so many different views and pro's and con's, there just isn't enough information to prove that strapping my baby boy down to a table, and letting someone who is sometimes not even a dr cut his foreskin off will benefit him either way, like a previous poster states let them choose, p.s. if you ever have the time please take a look at video of a infants cirumcision, it will break your heart.  and to the poster good luck

[glad2bamom]

wow.
Shock and awe at some of the comments on this thread.  Everyone here has their opinion, vastly different, yes.  But, none are ****.  Or Krap.  Sorry.

Sorry, original poster, that no one answered your question.  

I don't know if there is any procedure to help you restore what you feel needs restoring.  If you've been to a plastic surgeon, then I would guess they would know better than we do.  Perhaps you could post this question on the urology forum, and someone there may have more info.

Honestly, I'm a 34 year old, WASP (not being rude, just trying to help you understand) and I've never, NEVER seen a penis that is UNcirc.  In fact, I only know 3 men who were not, and they opted to have it done later in life.  Health benefits?  I don't know.  I do believe it is cultural, and maybe that is changing.  

Let's post back in about 20 years and see what the cultural "norm" is then.

[jacksynn]

Hi there everyone...I am a mother of two boys..aged 8 and 10.
At birth my husband and myself both opted against it.
However my husband had to get done in his twenties.
While the boys were both really little..they both suffered infection after infection due to their foreskin not retracting.
So sore all the time...both of them.
One's foreskin was so tight it wouldn't retract the slightest...the other...his foreskin was actually fused to the head of his penis.
We didn't want to have to put either of them through it...at birth and especially not at the ages 5 and 7.
It was a horrible experience..but they both had to be done...they suffered for so long...so many prescriptions and so many trips to the gP and the urologist...We finally were recommended to have them both done....so we opted to.
The are completely fine now and we as parents are glad they are not in any discomfort any longer.
I'm not sure that it is the right thing to do at birth....but now after having to go through it with 2 lil men...I now know if I ever have any more lil men...It won't even be an option....we will def get it done.
It's heart breaking to see your children go through anything upsetting.
I'm sure the original posters parents only wanted what they thought was best for him.

[glad2bamom]

Even though this is probably buried by now, this thread prompted great questions for me.  I contacted my pediatrician, who confirmed that there are actually health benefits to having it done.  It does help cut down on infection, because no matter how much you teach young boys, they still don't keep themselves as clean as they should.  I know, I have a 4 year old.

I also did some research, and there are a multitude of other health benefits as well, that go beyond a simple infection.

[peterg123]

I live in Africa. It is totally proved, scientifically, that being uncircumcised give 6 x less risk of contracting male HIV. Go Google it under "HIV Africa Circumcison". The science is done and the WHO is considering adopting mass circumcision programmes  in Africa.

However as to your question, surgical foreskin replacement is very risky and NOT recommended. Things can go very very wrong. Stretching therapy, using a T tape, is better.

I do not mean to be rude, but I think you have a psychological iussue here, with your belief your loving parents "harmed" you. Your post sounds very "Me Generation", looking at everything from an angle of psychobabble "harm".

Seriously, I am a very experienced guy in bed. I would not recommend routine male circ, but neither does it seriously detract from sexual pleasure the way people say. Go talk to a prostitute! She will tell you about men whose "sensitive" "natural" penises were unable to achieve orgasm in an hour, and "desensitized" circumcised men who orgasm in two seconds...and everything in between. Orgasms for men are just like for women.They are partially in the mind. You can have super orgasms and sex uncircumcised or not and vice versa. kindly put, get over it.

[woohoo]

im so afraid now.. my penus is not circumsized....omg!

[Wooly25]

My co-workers son had his done when he was 20 because he was uncomfortable and different he was made fun of by his brother and cousin who were both circumcised.  It may be painful as a baby, but their pain receptors are not as strong as they are when your alot older, plus mentally they will get over it quicker.  Look at all the babies having open heart surgeries and stuff they recover a lot faster then even a child of two or three.  Because they don't let it hold them back.  I guess they are braver also at that age, and do not doddle on it, like older children or adults.

[tlh777]

http://www.srsmiami.com/foreskin-restoration.html
http://www.noharmm.org/referral.htm
http://www.noharmm.org/referral.htm
http://www.noharmm.org/referral.htm

too bad so many men and women are harmed by circumcision.

[tlh777]

and these.

http://www.noharmm.org/referral.htm

[Frank303]

There are other political, social, cultural and medical reasons for HIV disease being prevalent in Sub Saharan Africa.
Lack of Antiretrovitrals
Prostitutes offering unprotected dry sex.
Commonality of some men having mistresses.
Distrust in Doctors and preference to see the witch doctor.
Beliefs that 'The West' send over AIDS in condoms.
A wacko health minister.
Government denial of the problem.

However the main reason for prevalence is repeated sexual risk-taking behaviour..  

[Cute08]

After reading all your comments my summary to Mr pdj the man who started this. I would say circumcision is not bad at all, your parents meant it good for you.  Therefore, i would like to give you my piece of opinion and that is stop focussing on that as the worst part of your body because it my affect your sexual life. Just love yourself as you are and that you have a nice body and that a woman who will be meant for you will not see it like you see it, but she will love it. Love yourself that's when others will love you too. I was operated twice on my lower abd. and this has left a big swollen scare that when i wear something thin it some times shows, but i don't give a dum about it. You may not believe when i say my husband don't mind about it. And also try to forgive your parents about this and move on with the life that God wants you to enjoy.

[blueeyedboy192002]

personally i hate the thought of being cut, i agree its wrong, no one has the right to mess with anyone's body unless there is medical reason behind it,

in regards to africa, i agree circumcision is good, as its for medical reasons and to stop an epidemic, we are not in that situation here.

its a mental thing thats a problem, and i cna't say that if i had a forskin, i may just want to remove it, but, its my decision, not anyone elses, and should be an open thing for 16 year olds to decide for, they should be checked for forskin problems etc and given advice to go ahead with the procedure, however, it should be  the individuals decision full stop,

anything outside of thhat is barbarric...immoral and wrong.....

we don't cut ears or noses off for the sake of it, so why cut a forskin off...

[skinbridgedpeepee]

I would be embarrassed to have an anteater

[ml66uk]

Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/fn/fn96-01.htm
"Recommendation: Circumcision of newborns should not be routinely performed."

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/pregnancy&babies/circumcision.htm
"Circumcision is a 'non-therapeutic' procedure, which means it is not medically necessary."

"After reviewing the scientific evidence for and against circumcision, the CPS does not recommend routine circumcision for newborn boys. Many paediatricians no longer perform circumcisions."

Royal Australasian College of Physicians
http://www.racp.edu.au/download.cfm?DownloadFile=A453CFA1-2A57-5487-DF36DF59A1BAF527
"After extensive review of the literature the Royal Australasian College of Physicians reaffirms that there is no medical indication for routine neonatal circumcision."
(those last nine words are in bold on their website, and almost all the men responsible for this statement will be circumcised themselves, as the male circumcision rate in Australia in 1950 was about 90%.  "Routine" circumcision is now *banned* in public hospitals in Australia in all states except one.)

British Medical Association
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/malecircumcision2006?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,circumcision#Circumcisionformedicalpurposes
"to circumcise for therapeutic reasons where medical research has shown other techniques to be at least as effective and less invasive would be unethical and inappropriate."

National Health Service (UK)
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=649
"Many people have strong views about whether circumcision should be carried out or not. It is not routinely performed in the UK because there is no clear clinical evidence to suggest it has any medical benefit."

[WhiningFemales]

you people are sick, this man was TORCHERED as a baby  watch the videos  medical ones   the baby seems to suddenly calm  this is the body going into SHOCK.  ALL the pysicians telling the stupid mothers to do it is for his wallet ... and after doing alot of reading all over the interenet and MEDICAL books  the only ones that have problems with uncut are the  nasty females  they dont like it its not clean they whine well if you dont like it dont look at it ,,,, I dont like  the nasty rank smell of the female genitala  say  female circumcision will cure the nasty rank smell so lets cut all the female babies for this absurd vial reason...  see the "fake" point was that anyone can come up with a stupid point to justify  the MUTILIATION of the baby boy  this is child abuse no matter what your personal view is  but guess what  the penis you want to cut or dont want to cut IS NOT YOURS   you do not have to deal with the issues either way.. this is NOT your penis since u had this child  you did NOT get a title at birth claiming you own this property ....  I was MUTILATED  at birth and sadly before i could file SUIT in court the ******* AKA doctor   died .....  oh well  Im still searching for any and all people involved including any nurses and hospital staff   to take to court lose or not once the ball is rolling more of your sons will start  to realized they were raped at birth of there genitals   seriously  if this was done to girls you females would be WHINING louder   and just to shut you up they made it a FEDERAL  law not to cut girls  yet you WHINING women allow your sons to be cut  you mutiliate your childs body  and seek  shelter under the false "im doing my son good" arguement  you are all criminals  and you FEMALES wanted equal rights  yet you fail to give them to your sons....   you should all be ashamed  you should all be made sterile !  against your "informed consent"  see how you like it....      also for some of u stupid  mothers  the foreskin is ATTACHED to the glans at birth and is suppose to stay there till mid teens      but boys dont keep clean   well neither do your girls  lets cut them ..   STOP WHINING about uncut penis and you get over it  not the boys having this  mutiliation bestowed on them .....  ignorant females  never stop whining ..... ( dont believe me look at the post all the females whining)