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Circumcision clinic

Are you considering circumcision for your child?

From newborn circumcision to more complex circumcision procedures later, our expert urologists are here to care you and your family.  

Why choose CHoR for circumcision

  • We are a nationally ranked urology program by U.S News & World Report. 
  • Our physicians and specialists, such as expert urologist Dr. Edmondson, see more than 7,500 young children and adolescents each year and lead a highly successful program marked by overwhelmingly positive outcomes. 
  • We serve as a referral center for patients with complex needs throughout the Commonwealth and greater Richmond area.

Why do people choose circumcision?

Getting your newborn circumcised, or remaining uncircumcised, is most often a choice based on cultural, religious and personal beliefs, along with parental preference. It is helpful to consider the benefits and risks of circumcision when making your decision. 

Benefits include reducing the risk of infant urinary tract infection and later sexually transmitted diseases, among others. Risks include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection and pain in the short-term. 

A key to ensuring a good outcome is determining whether or not your child is appropriate for a circumcision in the newborn period. Some should not have a circumcision done as a newborn. We can discuss this in more detail when we see you. 

Preparing for newborn circumcision surgery

If you would like your child to be circumcised, we are happy to do this in a safe and comfortable environment for your baby and family. 

In preparation for the circumcision, it is helpful to ensure that you have the following materials on hand to care for your baby after you return home: 

  • Antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin or Neosporin 
  • Non-antibiotic ointment, such as Vitamin A&D or Aquaphor 
  • Pain medication, such as Acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) and/or Ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin) 

What happens during the procedure?

During a circumcision, the penis and foreskin are cleaned, and the foreskin is removed.  

Parents and guardians can speak with our urologists about pain relief options to help reduce any discomfort during and after the procedure. For example, a topical numbing cream can be put on the penis before the procedure or an injectable anesthetic can be used to numb the area before the procedure.  

Post-circumcision care

Following the procedure, you will have the opportunity to comfort, feed and change your child. We will review circumcision care for your son and answer any questions you may have. 

What to expect after surgery: 

  • Expect minor swelling of the penis after the surgery. This will slowly go away over the next month. 
  • It is normal for the head of the penis to have a scab. Also called a ‘wet scab’, it looks like a thin yellow-white coating on the surface. 
  • For a few days immediately after the surgery, your child may experience come burning or stinging when using the potty. 
  • Dissolvable stiches may appear around the penis, but don’t worry they will go away on their own. 

How to schedule your newborn circumcision

Congratulations on your newborn baby! We understand that this can be a hectic time filled with many decisions, one of which is whether or not you wish to have a circumcision for your child.  

We offer several options for circumcision of infants up to 12 weeks of age in our outpatient offices. 

If you are considering circumcision for your baby post newborn hospital stay, it is important that you contact us to discuss the procedure as soon as possible after leaving the hospital. 

Consider calling for this initial phone consultation at the same time you schedule your baby's first checkup with the pediatrician. This will help to ensure that we are able to schedule the circumcision while the child is still in the newborn period. 

During our initial phone conversation, we will gather important information such as the child's due date, date of birth and birth weight, along with reasons he was not a candidate for circumcision in the hospital. Please have this information available when you call. 

Based on these details and any other preferences you may have, we will determine which physician best fits the child's needs. Please allow three business days after our initial phone conversation for this process. Once the physician is identified, we will call you to discuss next steps and instructions, including scheduling the procedure. We may also schedule an in-office consultation prior to the procedure if appropriate. 

Some circumcisions are done at the initial appointment, while others are scheduled for a follow-up visit. The timing of your child’s procedure will depend on individual needs and circumstances, which will be assessed and explained by the doctor. 

Initial phone consultation: 804-272-2411

 

Meet the team

View all providers
Jenna Brand, MS, RN, CPNP
Jenna Brand MS, RN, CPNP Urology Read more
John D Edmondson, MD
John Edmondson MD Urology Read more
Leigh T Hamm, MSN, RN, CPNP
Leigh Hamm MSN, RN, CPNP Urology Read more
CD Anthony Herndon, MD, FAAP, FACS
CD Anthony Herndon MD, FAAP, FACS Urology Read more
Eric D. Nelson, MD
Eric Nelson MD Urology Read more
Valre W Welch, MSN, CPNP
Valre Welch MSN, CPNP Urology Read more

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