After the operation

When I was back in my bed on the hospital ward, I went through the procedure with my girlfriend who gave me reassurance and made me feel better - if you have anyone who can be there for you, family, friend, partner, whoever, I think it's a good idea.

I was in good spirits though as I knew the worst was over. I ate the food and drank the drink they gave me - very happy about that.

The nurse then said I was to try passing urine and let them know if there was any blood. I had to gingerly take off the bandage/plaster thing with help from the nurse as I was scared, and then she threw it away. I then went to the toilet.

I rolled my foreskin back a little to make sure I didn't get pee on my foreskin, then sat down on the toilet and held my penis in place, vertically downwards, to avoid splashing or dribbling. It was a relief to pee, and there was no real blood, other than what was left over on my penis from the surgery. I then made sure I kept dabbing with toilet paper until it had all been soaked up. Great stuff! Success!

I told the nurse and she seemed happy. She wanted to look at the stitches and make sure everything was OK. I slowly rolled my foreskin back but had to give up out of nervousness, so she helped and it didn't hurt a bit (I was still numb from the anaesthetic). We all had a look and it was neater and less scary to look at than I thought, just a bit of red and blood dried on, with a neat wound that you couldn't see that well and a series of stitches that did look a bit horrible. But all was fine. Rolled up the foreskin and put some clothes on.

The aftercare I was recommended was as follows:

• I didn't need to put a bandage on or leave it alone especially (most websites say leave it for 24-48 hours but there you go!)
• To keep it clean by washing it twice a day, a bit of salt in the water helps, and some unscented, gentle soap.
• To retract the foreskin fully once a day to exercise it and keep it mobile (less chance of it reattaching or scarring up too tightly).
• To keep it dry, by patting it gently with a towel after washing.
• It WILL bleed a bit, it WILL ooze a bit.
• Take occasional painkillers when needed, but shouldn't feel much pain.
• Avoid masturbation for at least 2 weeks.
• Avoid sex for at least 3-4 weeks, even if it looks healed.
• Take a day or two off work (desk job).
• Don't do any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2 weeks.
• The stitches would dissolve in a couple of weeks.
• Erections in the night may be painful, but are unavoidable. However, they're harmless and won't rupture the stitches.

Some of this was different from what I've read online etc., but it is what I'm following.

I went home on the tube (London underground - no difficulty walking or travelling, even at rush hour). Had a nice big dinner at home!

The next post details that night at home.