"And…Cut! A double circumcision story" by Anonymous

I had inherited some money after two of my
grandparents had died, and I decided to use it for the procedure. As I wanted
to do it properly, I asked around and got the number of a reputable urologist
in Cape Town.  His receptionist told me
that he was fully booked until the end of the year, but recommended another
urologist who shared the premises. He was suspiciously available for the whole
of the following week. I should have seen the red flag. 

I met him, we seemed to be on the same page,
and he appeared decent enough, so I felt no reservations about him doing
renovations on my manhood. I had requested that he not make the procedure too
“tight”, and that he leave me some “give”, because I had heard (from a good
friend) that it was better that way.  “No
problem”, he replied, and in a flash I was in the hospital to become a
cabriolet model. 

When I came to I was still numb but able to
walk out of the surgery.    As I gathered
my things and settled the R12 000.00 bill, the urologist told me that I had
provided him and the nurses with much entertainment, after he had given me a
Dormicum injection.  Apparently I had had
a long conversation with them all through the procedure, and spoken a lot of
“nonsense”.  I was shocked that he had
not given me general anesthetic, but he assured me that Dormicum was a better
option, because I wouldn’t remember anything afterwards.  This still disturbs me.

Changing my bandages later on, I discovered –
to my horror – that he had butchered me. 
I looked as though I had been stitched together by someone with
Parkinsons.  I was a mess, but there was
no time to do anything about it, as I was to begin rehearsals for a big musical
in two weeks time, which required a lot of dancing.  I needed to heal – quickly. Show must go on.

Months later, I still had Frankenstein’s
crotch, and after the run of the musical ended, I sank into a terrible
depression, overcome with shame and humiliation.  Stitches that were supposed to dissolve did
not, and scar tissue and slap-dash surgery had left me disfigured. I had told
no one, and soon I was as sick as a dog. I had glandular fever plus another opportunistic
virus (ironically called Coxsackie virus), and a mysterious cough that would
not go away.  My heart and immune system
were broken.

My parents got concerned and insisted I come
home to the farm, so off I went. Not with my tail between my legs, but
something altogether more pathetic. 

Eventually I ended up at a doctor in Mafikeng,
who medicated my illnesses, and at the last minute, I decided to show him my
pitiful penis.  Deadpan, he muttered
“bliksem!”, and I knew then that I had to tell my folks. 

Despite major financial strain, they did not
hesitate to bundle me in the car, and rush me to an incredible urologist in
Pretoria.  This time I was completely
anaesthetized, and when I came around he showed me his excellent craftsmanship,
before bandaging me up.  I’m not going to
describe exactly how things look down there now, but let me just say that I
will adore that man until the day I die. 
Extreme makeover: Dick edition. 

Given the choice again, I would still choose to
be cut, and I am now very satisfied with what I’ve got “going down”. It’s a
personal decision I am glad I was free to make. 
Now I wonder if two circumcisions make me twice as much of a man, as
this right of passage took a temporary wrong turn.  One thing’s for sure, 25K later; I have quite
an expensive member, something to be proud of. Which I am.

Health4Men’s
Dr Kevin Rebe commented that medical male circumcision (MMC) has not been shown
to reduce the risk of HIV by 60% among MSM; this applies only to penile-vaginal
intercourse. He added that MMC is an extremely common procedure and that complications
are rare. As with any surgical procedure minor problems
can occur, such as a reaction to the pain injection, minor bleeding or some
swelling and pain. With proper care these issues are easily treated.

There are benefits to not undergoing
circumcision. The foreskin is an integral part of the penis, measuring over
half of the penile skin. The foreskin is packed with nerve endings with special
anatomical features such as a ridged band and has a unique elastic gliding
action, allowing it to slide on itself and act ‘like’ lube. This action is what
most men use to masturbate. Circumcised men use what skin is left, but men who
have been cut very tightly often have to use lube. An intact man can stroke the
entire length of his penis using his foreskin and he also has the option of
adding lube. Removing the foreskin turns the surface of the glans from an inner
mucosal membrane to les sensitive outer skin. Newly circumcised men usually go
through some weeks of intense discomfort as the glans is constantly exposed to
rubbing on clothing, until it develops a thicker keratin layer and becomes less
sensitive.

Health4Men
is a project of the Anova Health Institute NPC, funded by USAID through PEPFAR.
This article represents the contributing writer’s personal views.

Health4Men
would like to hear from you too! Gay and bi men from throughout South Africa
are welcome to submit articles about their own lives, primarily regarding
sexuality, sexual health and relationships. Selected articles, like this one,
will be published in print and online. For submissions please mail
media@health4men.co.za.