Circumcision is a procedure used to remove the foreskin of the penis in men. At London Urologica, our team of experts can offer you advice about treatment options and exceptional patient care.
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What is it for?
Surgery to remove the foreskin
On this page
Treatment overview
Circumcision is a surgical procedure used to remove the foreskin of the penis in men.
It is usually performed when the foreskin is too tight or painful or if you get recurrent skin infections.
You might benefit from circumcision if you suffer from:
•   Phimosis – where the foreskin is too tight and cannot be pulled back
•   Paraphimosis – where the foreskin is stuck in the retracted position
•   Balanitis – recurrent infections on the foreskin
•   Cancer of the penis
Our urology surgeons at London Urologica will perform circumcisions under general anaesthetic, and sometimes with local anaesthetic.
The procedure is normally a day surgery so you can go home the same day. In some cases, you might have to stay overnight so our team can monitor your recovery.
Our surgeons use a scalpel or scissors to cut away the foreskin and seal blood vessels using heat.
Contact our team at London Urologica if you have any problems, worries or questions to book an appointment with a world-class urologist.
You should not drive after your operation. You will still be under the effects of the anaesthetic and may also be in pain or discomfort which can impair your ability to drive safely. You should arrange for someone to pick you up from the clinic after your procedure and to make sure you get home safely.
After your procedure, you will have some discomfort and swelling around the head of the penis for about three to four days. It will take 10 days for your penis to heal completely. During this time, you should wear loose, comfortable clothing. You can also apply Vaseline to the end of your penis to stop it from sticking to your clothes and getting irritated. Your stitches will be dissolvable, so there is no need to make an appointment to get them removed. It is recommended to take at least a week off from work so you can rest and recover properly. You should avoid having sex for at least four weeks to allow your penis to recover fully. It can take up to six weeks for your penis to look normal. Try to keep the affected area dry for 24-48 hours after the procedure. This includes avoiding swimming and taking a bath. You may have some discomfort or tightness when getting erections for the first few months after circumcision. Our staff at London Urologica will provide you with pain relief and advice for your recovery, as well as arrange for any follow-up assessments.
While all operations will have risks, the complications of circumcision are uncommon. Complications can include bleeding and infection and in rare cases reduced sensation, scar tenderness and the need for further surgery.
The majority of men do not lose sensation in their penis after circumcision. You may have some altered sexual sensation, although this can happen due to a pre-existing condition. The research on this area is mixed, so there is no definite risk after your surgery.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
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If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
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