General, Minimally Invasive & Thoracic Surgery

Instructions for Your Child after Circumcision

Dressing:

Your child will have:

• White and yellow gauze wrapped around his penis with tape.
• Remove this dressing by late afternoon today (the day of surgery).  If it falls off by itself, it is not necessary to replace the dressing.
• Your child may soak in a warm bath to help remove the dressing.

Stitches:

 Stitches hold the incision together.

• They do not need to be removed.
• The body will absorb them.
• It is normal for the penis to be sensitive and to look red and swollen.

Bath:

• Starting tonight, give the infant/child warm tub baths twice a day for 10-14 days.  This helps the healing and helps keep the area clean.
• Apply Vaseline® or Bacitracin® to the head and shaft of the penis with your finger or cotton swab.  Do this after every diaper change and bath.  Your physician may tell you that this is not needed.
• For older children not in diapers, apply ointment 3 times a day.

Activity:

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• Your child’s activity can be as it was before surgery unless restricted by your physician. 

Diet:

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours.   Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Then slowly start on their normal diet.

Pain:

• Your child may have a prescription for pain medication such as Tylenol® with Codeine. If the incision remains uncomforatble use the prescription medication according to instructions.
• Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.