Our world-renowned surgeons have performed thousands of circumcisions. They’ll take the time to understand your needs, talk you through the options, and answer your questions.
Adult circumcision
Also known as: foreskin removal surgery
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What is it for?
Surgery to remove the foreskin of the penis
Adult circumcision consultation at The London Clinic
Adult circumcision is an operation that removes the foreskin. The foreskin is the flexible fold of skin covering the end of the penis.
It can usually be pulled back to show the glans and the urethral opening.
Children may sometimes be circumcised for religious reasons. In adults, a specialist may recommend circumcision if your foreskin is too tight, if it keeps getting infected, or if there are problems with the skin in the area.
Foreskin problems can be painful and can have an impact on your well being and sex life.
Our leading urology surgeons are experts in circumcision and can offer calm and reassuring advice and guidance for your concerns, however sensitive they might be.
Treatment information
Your circumcision surgery at The London Clinic
Our expert surgeons who offer circumcision have years of experience and extensive training.
Your expert care team will guide you through your treatment and recovery plan.We offer extra touches, such as personalised food menus, to make your stay as much like home as possible.
You’ll have your own nurse, supported by an entire nursing team, who’ll help you get you feeling like yourself again.
You can also choose additional therapies to help you make the most of your recovery and reduce any discomfort including reiki and acupuncture.
Once you’re ready to leave The London Clinic, we’ll give you advice to follow once you’re home for a speedy recovery.
We’ll promise to keep in contact with you over the following weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.
FAQs
Circumcision works by removing the foreskin.
Your surgeon will use a surgical sterile scalpel or scissors to carefully cut away the foreskin from behind the head of the penis.
They will seal any bleeding blood vessels using heat.
Finally, they will stitch together the skin edges using fine, dissolvable stitches that will not need to be removed.The operation itself is carried out under general anaesthetic while you’re asleep.
A local or spinal anaesthetic to numb your penis might also be an option. An adult circumcision is usually a day-case procedure, so you will not need to stay in our hospital overnight.
The procedure will typically last around 30 minutes or less.
Your surgeon will be able to advise you on the exact time required at your consultation.
You’ll usually be able to go home on the day of your surgery.
However, some of our patients may need to stay overnight, so we can monitor their recovery.
Your care team will be on hand to give you any medication you might need for pain relief.We recommend that you simply rest as much as possible, avoiding exercise and generally taking it slow. Following circumcision surgery, you’ll have discomfort and swelling around the wound and the penile head for 3-4 days.
It takes around ten days for your penis to fully heal.
During this time, it’s a good idea to wear loose, light and comfortable clothing to prevent rubbing and irritation.
Applying a little Vaseline to the end of your penis can prevent the wound from sticking to your clothes or underwear.
It is sensible to take at least one week off work to rest and recover.
This is more important if you work in a physically demanding role.
You should not have sex for at least four weeks.
The exact time it takes you to recover from circumcision surgery will depend entirely on you and your body.
We will help you prepare for your surgery so you know exactly what to expect afterwards.
Your surgeon will work with other specialists to give you advice on pre-habitation including things you can do before your operation for a head start on recovery.
We’ll help you recover as fully and quickly as possible by having regular follow-ups with you.
If there’s anything you’re worried about, you can contact your care team at any time.
The benefits you can expect from circumcision depends on your personal circumstances.
Your surgeon will discuss these with you during a consultation. Circumcision is sometimes recommended to treat the following conditions:
- Phimosis- when the foreskin is too tight and cannot be pulled back, which can make sex painful and sometimes causes bleeding.
- Paraphimosis- when the foreskin is tight and is stuck in the retracted position causing pain and swelling.
- Balanitis- when there is recurrent infection of the foreskin and the end of the penis
- Balanitis xerotica obliterans- when the foreskin becomes white, thickened, and difficult to pull back.
- Cancer of the penis- when a tumour grows from the tissue of the penis, foreskin or nearby structures.
- Circumcision can also reduce HIV risk in some people.
Having a circumcision is not a decision to be taken lightly and it is important to be aware of the possible side effects.
Your surgeon and care team will discuss these with you. We will make sure you’re well informed about your surgery before you have it.
The most common temporary side effects of circumcision surgery are:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection
Here at The London Clinic, we work hard to reduce complications and ensure that you recover fully after surgery.
Complications after a circumcision are uncommon.
More rare complications include a reduction in sensation, scar tenderness, and the need for further surgery to remove additional skin.
Many studies show no change in penis sensation after a circumcision.
However, some people do report a change in sexual sensation.
This could be due to pre-existing conditions like BXO, psychological conditions, or as a result of the operation.
The great majority of circumcision patients do not experience sensation changes.
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
Timeline
At The London Clinic, we understand just how daunting circumcision surgery can feel. Here is what you might expect as one of our patients:
Book an appointment
Our dedicated appointments team will arrange for you to meet with one of our renowned surgeons.
Consultation
You’ll discuss your individual expectations and desired results with your chosen surgeon. Our urologists will assess you in our private consulting rooms.
They’ll take a detailed medical history and examine your penis.Then they’ll ask about the impact your symptoms have on your health, wellbeing, and sex life.
They will outline all risks associated with your procedure, so you are fully aware of exactly what circumcision surgery involves.
Enhanced pre-assessment
We will review your general health ahead of your circumcision. This will help your care team plan your treatment safely.
The day of your operation
You’ll meet your care team who will prepare you for surgery and let you know exactly what to expect throughout the day.
After your operation, your surgeon will check on you and discuss how best to start your circumcision recovery.
Aftercare
You should be ready to leave the day after your operation.
Once you’re home, you’ll have a video check-up with a nurse for dressing changes. You’ll come back to The London Clinic to have your dressings changed a couple of weeks later.
Follow-up
After six to eight weeks, you’ll have a follow-up with your surgeon to discuss any concerns and ensure that your healing is going as expected.
Treatment options
Circumcision surgery is a treatment option we offer for various health conditions.
Your surgeon might recommend a different pathway depending on what best treats your condition. We will be able to advise you after a thorough examination in a consultation appointment.
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
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.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.