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Lee Health Circumcision Clinic

Circumcision at Lee Health

At Lee Health, our team is committed to delivering compassionate care in a safe and comfortable environment.  If you are contemplating circumcision for your newborn son, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our expert pediatric team. Read more to better understand the circumcision process, anesthesia options, pain management, and more.

Pediatric Circumcision Clinic Locations Near You

What is circumcision?

Circumcision involves surgically removing the foreskin, which is the layer of skin covering the tip of the penis.

Typically, the foreskin is connected to the tip of the penis in infancy and gradually separates as the child grows. Many parents choose to circumcise their newborns, usually within the first two months of life. If the procedure is not completed during this initial period, generally a child must wait until they are at least six months old, at which point general anesthesia is required. 

Therefore, parents considering circumcision for their son should ideally do so shortly after birth to avoid the complexities of anesthesia.

Circumcision Clinic Specialists Serving Southwest Florida

Is circumcision is right for your baby?

Our pediatric specialists will evaluate your son to check for any irregularities such as insufficient foreskin, curvature, or unusual positioning of the urethral opening. If potential complications are identified, they may recommend circumcision under brief general anesthesia when the child is older.

In 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reviewed research on both circumcised and uncircumcised males and noted the following findings:

  • Penis irritation can occur regardless of circumcision status.
  • Proper care ensures similar hygiene levels for both circumcised and uncircumcised males.
  • The impact on sexual sensation or practices in adult men may vary.
  • Uncircumcised males, particularly infants under one year, face a higher risk of urinary tract infections, although the overall risk remains below one percent.
  • Newborn circumcision offers some protection against penile cancer, which is rare in developed countries like the United States.

The AAP acknowledges potential health benefits from circumcision but does not recommend it universally. 

Request an Appointment:

Complete the form below and a scheduler will contact you to get your appointment scheduled after completing your initial patient screening on the phone.

Please note: **This procedure is not paid for by most insurance companies. In the event your insurance does not cover this procedure, a $351 charge will be due at time of service.**

Newborn Circumcision Clinic Patient Screener Questions to Expect:

To help you better prepare for your appointment our staff will ask the below questions:

  • Do both parents agree to circumcision?
  • Has your baby had their vitamin K shot at birth?
  • Is your baby less than 8 weeks old?
  • My pediatrician has seen and evaluated the baby and has confirmed he is healthy for circumcision.
  • Does your baby currently have jaundice?
  • Baby’s growth < 5th percentile?

Why choose circumcision?

While circumcision is not mandatory for all boys, it does offer certain health benefits. Infants under one year are particularly susceptible to urinary tract infections. Those with other urological conditions, such as vesicoureteral reflux or urinary obstructions, face a higher risk of serious urinary tract infections, which can have long-term effects on kidney health. Additionally, circumcision may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and invasive penile cancer later in life.

The risks associated with circumcision, such as scarring, bleeding, or infection, are generally mild. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that the health benefits of newborn circumcision outweigh the risks of potential complications.

Circumcision may become necessary if medical treatments, such as topical steroids, do not resolve certain conditions, including:

  • Phimosis, where scarring prevents the foreskin from retracting.
  • Foreskin ballooning during urination, which interferes with normal urinary function.
  • Recurrent urinary tract or foreskin infections.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Circumcision

Traditionally, circumcision is performed in the hospital setting, but this can often require physicians to return for the procedure. Additionally, this can lead to delays and extend hospital stays unnecessarily for both babies and their mothers. Our team performs circumcisions both in our office with local anesthesia and the hospital with anesthesia depending on your baby's age and size. 

Circumcision is a straightforward outpatient procedure that entails removing the foreskin from the penis with a surgical knife. The objective is to adjust the skin on the shaft appropriately so that the penis head is visible. It's worth noting that in well-nourished infants, a fat pad around the base of the penis may cause the foreskin to cover the glans partially or entirely. This typically resolves itself as the child grows and loses baby fat.

Once the foreskin is removed, the remaining skin edges are secured using either dissolvable sutures or surgical glue. If sutures are used, they will naturally dissolve within one to two weeks. A local anesthetic is administered to reduce discomfort during the procedure, which usually lasts less than thirty minutes.

Following your child's circumcision, our team will provide detailed after-care instructions to ensure a comfortable recovery. This may include the recommendation of the use of antibiotic ointment, use of gauze, and over-the-counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Your care team will work with you to ensure you have all the neccessary information and resources required for your child's post-procedure recovery.

Your care provider may suggest postponing circumcision if your baby presents with other medical priorities,  such as heart or lung complications that need immediate care, bleeding disorders, or congenital penile abnormalities, including curvature, incomplete development of the foreskin, or an unusual placement of the urethral opening.

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