CIRCUMCISION: PRE-OP PREPARATION

1 - PRE-OP APPOINTMENT FOR CIRCUMCISION

The appointment at which one decides to schedule the procedure is the time to ask the doctor about the type of circumcision that will be performed: whether it will be "tighter" (when a lot of skin is removed, leaving the remaining skin under tension, specially during erections) or "looser", with a "higher" or "lower" scar circumference, and whether the frenulum will be removed or preserved.
But beware: your doctor may not be familiar with the terms high and low, and these words are somewhat ambiguous because when the penis becomes erect (such as the illustrations above[1]) what used to be high becomes low and vice-versa. So try to be as specific as possible, and show him where you would like the scar to be.
As for the frenulum, even though it's quite common its amputation (frenulectomy) along with that of the foreskin, normally there's no real need for that. So try to find out your doctor's intentions before surgery, because the frenulum (and its surround area, the so called frenular delta) is highly innervated and consequently erogenous[2]. Considering that circumcision will already turn your glans into dry land and deprive you of most of the inner foreskin (and that any inner foreskin left will eventually become relatively desensitized due to continuous exposition), the removal of the frenulum would only add to the impact the intervention will already have on your sex life.
The last visit before surgery is also the ideal moment for your doctor to get to know whether you are allergic to any anesthetic or antibiotic. And make sure to let him know if you are taking any kind of medicine, have recently undergone any medical treatment or suffer from diabetes.
Try to clear up any remaining doubts, this may be your last chance to talk to the doctor before circumcision.

2 - how to prepare for circumcision

  • Pubic hair: while it's not necessary to shave your genitals, it is desirable that you at least trim the pubic hair, shortening its length. This helps the asepsis during the operation e prevents the hair from being attached to the bandage afterwards. Ideally, you should trim your pubic hair a few days before the procedure, thus providing some time for the hair tips to regain their roundness (right after trimming they can be pretty sharp) - but if your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow don't worry about this, go ahead and trim that pubic hair.​
  • Sex: there will be a period of up to 6 weeks after circumcision during which you should not have sexual intercourse. So it's highly recommended that you "roast the broomstick" before the intervention: on the morning of surgery try to have (responsible) sex with your partner or masturbate until ejaculation.
  • Alcohol: do not drink alcohol before surgery: besides leaving you dehydrated, it can also reduce the effectiveness of local anesthesia, and have nasty interactions with general anesthesia.
  • Hygiene: on the morning of surgery take a good shower, giving special attention to the penis and surrounding area. Retract the foreskin as much as possible (no need to force though, beware of paraphimosis), and wash with neutral soap or at least rinse the exposable area.
  • Evacuation: if possible, go to the restroom and try to empty your intestines or at least your bladder - and don't forget to wash your hands before leaving:


REFERENCES

  1. Art credits: IMC Circumcision Clinic (London).
  2. McGrath K (2001). The frenular delta: a new preputial structure. Em: Denniston GC. Understanding Circumcision: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to a Multi-Dimensional Problem. Nova Iorque: Kluwer/Plenum, 199-206.​​