viper7

Foreskin restoration is under [adult]

[as a kid]

I was cut as an infant at one day old, no medical need, parents thought it was healthier, the cut was standard, no errors. when growing up I noticed that it looked odd, there was a scar and the skin bunched up funny, as in the skin around the scar was thinner and folded odd to me, but anyone else would say it was normal, I asked my parents if I ever had any surgeries, they said no (I later found out they did not consider circumcision a surgery, despite the words surgery on the receipt [and probably consent form as well]). despite technically looking like the others it really bothered me, as a teen I discovered masturbation but it never seemed to be as great as others made it out to be, before I found out about lube I was left with sores or friction burns, with lube there was so little friction that there wasn't as much sensation, plus it can get a bit messy and be hard to get and use when young (hiding it etc)

[almost adult]
found out one day what had really happened to me, it was devastating to learn that my sexual ability had been permanently reduced and that the lack of sensitivity was likely caused by the circumcision. I read as much information as I could find on it, from both pro-circumcision and anti circumcision websites/books trying to learn about it as well as hoping to find something that justified it, sadly every anti-circumcision argument made so much more sense. (so many pro circumcision arguments based on studies so old and done in such a way that would never be given any credibility today.

[adult - FORESKIN RESTORATION]
I had discovered web sites on foreskin restoration, I did not have high hopes to get much other then the look back, some people that had claimed to have been cut later in life and regretted but the quality at 10 being intact, 3 cut and 7 restored, depressed from being cut I did not have high hopes for sensation improvements, however I did restore to primarily get the scar to become folded inside and have a more natural appearance(a statement to doctors during future visits) I am now a little over a year into it and have restored enough foreskin that anyone in the locker room that saw me would think I was intact, but the best part is the sensation gains did occur, the gliding sensation is great and eliminated the need for lube and I have not had one sore spot since now that the skin glides as it was designed to, every day the glans stays covered it seems to be more sensitive. it does work and does look natural enough, you don't gain things back like the ridged band or frenulum (if the doctor removed it) but it is very much worth it. It's very hard to convince someone cut at birth the value of the gliding skin, but once I got enough skin to have it, it just felt so right, so natural

[my recommendations]
if you are deciding on cutting, the decision can wait, please let the child decide when they are old enough, the decision to cut cannot be undone and any supposedly serious benefit does not occur until they are old enough to decide.

if you do decide to cut, ask questions, what method, what are the risks of each method, do they remove the frenulum, do they use painkillers and leave adequate time for them to work.

[if you already had your child cut]
please, please explain it to them, give them the reasons why, they deserve to know. {this next part may be controversial } but masturbation will happen, it's natural, make some type of lube available (sore spots hurt and can be embarrassing and hurt self confidence)

[consider this]
doctors claim low complication rates, but considering the purpose of the penis many problems won't occur till puberty, and will never be recorded as a complication, and how can a boy going through puberty know that a problem such as painful erections cause by insufficient skin are a problem of circumcision, or even that it's abnormal

[Final thoughts]
psychologically it is very painful when people act like it's not a big deal, it was my body and now I can never truly experience what sex was truly meant to be like.

canuck88

Thanks for sharing your story, Viper.

As a man, I'd like to provide a bit of a different perspective.

I will say that I've never had any emotional or psychological issues with my parents deciding to 'cut' me. I am a successful, sensitive man who has very healthy relationships and terrific sex. I also never had a problem with sensitivity or 'sores' from masturbation as you did (I learned at a young age to do it in the shower with shower gel or using moisturizer when not in the shower). I've actually never - ever - heard of a guy doing what you have done (masturbating to the point of sores); most even used spit or anything available to keep it 'lubed'.

I'll also say that 95% of my male friends are 'cut', and I've never heard any of them complain. If anything, the 5% of my friends have complained many times that they wish they were cut - that girls have made comments, and that they've had trouble with hygiene - but that they're 'too old' to go through the hassle of having it done.

I'm sorry to hear that your parents decision impacted you in such a negative way, and I'm glad you've corrected it in a way you see fit. However, for perspective - especially to the mothers on here - an emotional reaction such as yours is extremely rare amongst 'cut' men.

canuck88

Considering more than 80 million North American men are circumcised, yes - it's VERY rare. Even if 1 million men had the procedure (I can't imagine the number is much more than 10,000, but there doesn't seem to be any data), that's still only 1.25% which - in the book of any logical person - is rare.

Good Wolf

Well we've been over, under, to the side of, inside of, beat it down, lifted it up, and swept this topic under the carpet.

I will say again that there are medical benefits to be circumsized and I myself never though twice about it.

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Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

Good Wolf

I've posted links in the other threads. I'm really not up for sifting through them to find them.

I guess it is kind of wrong for parents to decide for their children but I trully believe that more men don't have a problem with it then do.

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Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

ljmahr

While reading what this thread and what Mindy had wrote I was thinking something. For all the sites and stuff online about how the percent of males being circ'd is falling I could find that many that say it isn't. I started researching this on my own being as we are having our first (and last child) boy in about a month I wanted to have an informed decision. All I find is what other's opinions and what they want you to know. So my decision will be based solely on my opinion and what my hubby and I think is best for our son. Hopefully he will grow up and not think twice about our decision.

Viper--I am so sorry you feel the way you do about a decision I am sure your parents thought was best for you at the time.

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Laura

Mommy to 4 beautiful girls and 1 handsome boy