What to Expect During Your Child's Circumcision Procedure

Congrats on having a baby boy. One of the unique things parents of boys must consider is whether to do circumcision. Dr. Arturo Quintanilla provides circumcision in Rancho Mirage, CA, and will do so with care for your child. He will answer any questions about the process when you visit Rancho Mirage Pediatrics.

What to Expect During Circumcision in Rancho Mirage, CA

The main point of this procedure is the removal of the foreskin from the tip of the penis. You are not required to do so, and some parents decide against it due to cultural, religious, or personal reasons. If you decide to have this procedure on your baby boy, it can happen before the newborn leaves the hospital or later at your doctor’s office at Rancho Mirage Pediatrics. 

From the beginning, your baby will be handled with care as your doctor starts by applying local anesthesia to numb the area. He will also clean the area with antiseptic and place a special clamp on the penis to stabilize it and control any bleeding. Dr. Quintanilla will gently loosen the foreskin from the head of the penis, make a small slit, and remove it with a scalpel or surgical scissors. Using dissolvable stitches, he will stitch together the edges of the skin and finish the entire procedure in less than 15 minutes. 

Expect your child to be a little fussy for a few hours, but it will subside. Prevent infection by keeping the area as clean and dry as possible. Full healing may take up to six weeks, and patients should always follow post-surgical care instructions from Dr. Quintanilla to avoid infection. 

Why Do This Procedure Now?

You may feel that this procedure is a personal choice that you should leave for your son to make. It's perfectly fine to wait until your child is old enough to decide to have circumcision or not. However, it is usually easier to do the procedure in the newborn phase, as it's less likely to cause discomfort. Having the procedure done at this point can also reduce your son's chance of developing urinary tract infections. When your son later becomes sexually active, being circumcised can reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Whether you are sure about having circumcision in Rancho Mirage, CA, or still have several questions about it, Dr. Quintanilla can help. He is a caring, experienced, compassionate pediatrician who has conducted the procedure several times. Your little boy will be in good hands under his care. He is always open to a professional consultation about this procedure and other pediatric care. Learn more about the process by calling 760- 770-0000.