23rd March 2009 - Day 14

Today marks 2 weeks since I was circumcised, can’t believe that I have got to this point so soon.

This morning I felt as if I had gone backwards in my healing progress, as the top part of the incision which had been healing slower and was showing signs of gaping last week, had been bleeding a little overnight. I thought that I was past any bleeding but unfortunately not. Once I was awake the bleeding had stopped, and any dried blood that was on my penis washed off in the shower.

The first positive thing that I have noticed today is the swelling on the inner foreskin has reduced further, it is now starting to look more equal and the inner foreskin is laying flatter against the shaft.

This afternoon I had an appointment with my GP, this was my first opportunity for another Doctor to see my Circumcision and get his opinion on it. He examined me, and had a look at the stitches. He also agreed that they had done their job by now, but said that they were beyond removing in the conventional way, as the suture below the skin would have already dissolved, just leaving the top bit of suture above the skin. Using his tweezers 4 stitches came away easily. He said that I have probably been too gentle in washing which is why they had not come out all ready.
He was reluctant to remove any more at this stage, as he did not want to irritate the incision line at all, especially in light of there being some bleeding today. He suggested that I have a few salt baths over the next day and wash a bit more vigorously in order to encourage the stitches to fall out. I had a bath this evening but no more stitches came out as the remaining ones do seem to be a bit more stubborn.

Because of the frenulum area still being wet, and not healing as well, my Doctor was concerned that infection could get in at this point. So he wants me to keep a close eye on it over the next couple of days and to see him again on Wednesday to check that things are getting better. On Wednesday providing that everything is going in the right direction he will remove any stitches that are remaining.
I asked the doctor about the possibility of stitch tunnels and increased scarring left from stitches staying in too long, and he re-assured me that this would not be an issue with dissolvable sutures. He also commented on how neat and small the stitches were!

Just as I write this on Monday night, the frenulum wound is actually looking the smallest it has looked over the past 14 days, it is dry at the moment as well, so I hope this continues.