Each year, between 55-65% of male newborns undergo circumcision. At Bright Futures Pediatrics in the Southwest and Centennial Hills neighborhoods of Las Vegas, Nevada, the team provides circumcisions onsite as an outpatient procedure. To schedule an appointment, call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.
Circumcision is a type of surgery that removes the foreskin — the piece of flesh that covers the tip of the penis. Some families choose circumcision as part of a religious ritual. Others undergo the procedure as a personal hygiene or preventive health measure.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says the benefits of circumcision far outweigh the risks, but it isn’t right for everyone. As a parent, it’s your choice whether to have your child circumcised.
Studies show that circumcision offers a variety of benefits, including:
Circumcision isn’t always an option. For example, babies who are born prematurely usually aren’t strong enough to undergo even a simple surgical procedure.
Circumcision is safe and usually well-tolerated. The most common risks associated with the procedure are bleeding and infection.
The team at Bright Futures Pediatrics takes great care to ensure your child is comfortable and cared for throughout the entire procedure.
Prior to performing a circumcision, your child’s Bright Futures Pediatrics provider explains the benefits and risks of the treatment in detail. Afterward, they conduct a physical exam and have you sign a release form.
Lastly, your provider schedules a surgery date. To achieve the best possible results, the team usually performs circumcision within 10 days after birth.
Before performing a circumcision, your child’s Bright Futures Pediatrics provider lies your baby on their back and restrains their arms and legs. Afterward, your child’s provider cleans the penis thoroughly and administers a local anesthetic via injection. Your child’s provider might also apply an additional numbing cream.
Once the anesthesia sets in, your child’s provider places a plastic ring with a clamp around their foreskin. The clamp removes the foreskin quickly and as painlessly as possible. Following the circumcision, your child’s provider covers their penis with a topical antibiotic ointment and wraps it in gauze.
Following circumcision, it takes 7-10 days for your son’s penis to heal. If you notice that the tip of the penis looks red, swollen, or bruised, don’t worry. Carefully wash the penis on a daily basis and follow your provider’s recovery instructions as closely as possible.
About a week after the initial operation, you return to Bright Futures Pediatrics for a follow-up appointment. During this consultation, your child’s provider monitors their progress and updates treatment recommendations as necessary.
To learn more about circumcision, schedule an appointment at Bright Futures Pediatrics. Call the office to speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.
