Looking for a circumcision clinic for your child? There are many factors you should consider before you choose your doctor.
You should trust your doctor completely to perform the procedure correctly and safely on your child. That’s why researching your options and knowing the right questions to ask is important.
Before you choose your circumcision clinic, you should ensure that your child will be treated by experienced professionals who are well-versed in the best procedural methods.
Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor how often they perform the procedure, and what experience and qualifications they have. You should also consider other factors, such as if the circumcision clinic offers aftercare, the costs involved, the type of anaesthetic used, and whether you can be present with your child during the procedure.
Being well-researched and well-informed can help you to choose the right circumcision clinic for your child. It’s an important decision, so it’s also a good idea to speak with a doctor about the procedure and their practices beforehand.
You can book a consultation to find out more about the circumcision clinic and how they perform the procedure.
Which method does the circumcision clinic use?
When researching a circumcision clinic, you should look at what methods they use. The best circumcision clinics will offer different techniques which have the least risk of complications based on the age of the patient.
Different techniques work better on different age groups. You should choose a circumcision clinic that offers the best method for the age group your child belongs to.
Gomco Method
The Gomco method may be used for boys under 2 months of age. This method uses the Gomco clamp, which has a steel bell that protects the glans penis during the procedure. A probe separates the foreskin from the head of the penis, and the foreskin is removed. There is no ring required for this method.
Bell Method
The Bell method may be used for boys 2 months to 4 years of age. A plastibell is used to separate the foreskin and the head of the penis, protecting the glans penis. The foreskin is stretched over the plastic ring and is secured by tying a surgical string to stop blood flow to the foreskin. The foreskin is then removed.
The plastic ring will remain on the penis and falls off naturally in seven to ten days.
Shang Ring Method
If your child is over 4 years of age, the Shang Ring method may be used. The Shang Ring is a disposable device that consists of two medical grade plastic rings: an inner ring with a silicone band, and an outer, hinged ring which acts as a ligature.
The foreskin is removed by being sandwiched by these two rings. Hemostasis occurs due to the pressure applied by the interlocking rings, which minimises bleeding and eliminates the need for sutures. The ring will be removed after 7 days.
The Shang Ring is a safer method that results in less blood loss, less operation pain, better cosmetic outcomes and lower complications.
Stitches Method
The stitches method is the conventional method. An incision is made at the centre of the foreskin followed by an incision along the circumference of the penis to remove the foreskin. Once this is achieved, the bleeding vessels are tied, zapped, or clipped depending on the surgeon’s preference. The surgeon then uses dissolvable or non-dissolvable stitches to close the incision edges.
Dissolvable stitches will naturally degrade and be absorbed by the body over time, while non-dissolvable stitches might require removal by a healthcare professional after the healing process is complete.
The stiches method is a longer procedure, with higher complication rates. If completed under local anaesthetic it is only suitable for adults. Young boys can only have the stiches method under general anaesthetic.
How much does the circumcision clinic charge?
The cost of the procedure varies depending on the circumcision clinic. Factors such as the age of your child, the location, demand, and method used can influence the cost of the procedure.
In Australia, the procedure is partially covered by Medicare (only for medical or preventative health reasons), so you’ll be eligible for a rebate if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
At Circumcision Vasectomy Australia, our procedures start at an out-of-pocket price of $385 (at the time of writing this article). The price varies based on age, and you can view a breakdown of our circumcision clinic costs here.
If you have private health insurance, you may be able to claim the procedure through your health fund. You can contact your health fund to find out more about whether the procedure is covered by your policy, and the out-of-pocket costs.
Does the circumcision clinic have an experienced doctor?
Having an experienced doctor will help to put you at ease about your child’s operation. Research the circumcision clinic beforehand to find out the expertise of the operating doctors.
At Circumcision Vasectomy Australia, our main operating doctor is Dr. Shehab Abdalla, who has been practicing for almost 10 years as a doctor. He has completed Specialist General Practice training, alongside two Diplomas, and has performed greater than 1000 procedures.
What aftercare does the circumcision clinic offer?
After the procedure is complete, will your circumcision clinic offer you and your child help and support through recovery? Keep this in mind as you search for your healthcare provider, as it is important you can easily contact someone for help in the case of recovery complications.
At Circumcision Vasectomy Australia, we stay with you from your consultation to your recovery. We have a 24-hour hotline that is available for you and your child for any concerns after the procedure.
Choose Circumcision Vasectomy Australia for your circumcision clinic
At Circumcision Vasectomy Australia, our friendly team is here to assist you with any queries. We strive to make the experience easy, safe, and comfortable for you and your child. Book a consultation to find out more, or contact us now to schedule your child’s circumcision.
