An adult circumcision usually takes 3-4 weeks to heal although there is sometimes some residual swelling for a bit longer and also the scar line gradually softens and settles down over a period of around 6 months. Gentle masturbation can be resumed as soon as the stitches are out and there is a good scab on the cut line (around 2 weeks).  Full sex (with a condom for protection against chaffing) can usually be resumed at 4 weeks, whilst rougher and unprotected sex is best left to 6-8 weeks.  These are all approximate and depend on how fast you personally heal.

The wound will probably heal in about a week, but don't try masturbation for at least a month and certainly not until the stitches come out. As for sex well I think oral could be done after about a month but regarding intercourse, I would wait a bit longer.

Resist the temptation to play with it at all during at least the first week; disturbing the wound area will exacerbate scarring. The sutures should come out after about a week. After that, you'll know by tenderness what you can do. Expect to be "out of commission" for masturbation for a little over a week (you must be gentle!) And for sex, about a month. Don't worry, it's worth it. Pain isn't bad - less than having wisdom teeth yanked, and certainly far less than you'd expect.

I had my first wank about 2 weeks after, oral sex about 3 and full sex about 5 weeks

It took a few weeks / one month for the scar to heal enough for sex, but took almost 3 months to fully settle down

Many will say that it takes at least a year to get fully healed, masturbation can resume again after 3 weeks - that’s been my own experience to date anyway. I have not indulged in sex as such, so I’m not really the one to ask. However fully informed advice here, - indeed on everything you are asking, is readily available. (My sense is that gentle sex can resume perhaps not too long after masturbation?)

The truth about healing is that it takes as long as it takes. If you mean closure of the wound, well that happened in about 4 weeks for me. I had a lot of post operative swelling (which Dr Z warned might happen) and this caused two gaps to open in the incision (which Dr Z also warned might happen). They did take some time to close. Believe me, you will not feel like wanking when/if you have a similar experience! I had my first wank on day 18 but it was a very tentative affair designed to help me sleep more than anything else. As for sex, I have still not got back into the saddle. Dr Z said that I could have 'gentle sex' after 3 weeks. I decided to wait till week 7 to try but the 'awareness' of the scar again made it a tentative affair and I stopped because I was not really enjoying it. I dare say I could have completed it.  Wanking, however, is producing some of the best orgasms I have ever had in my life so I was more than content to 'finish it off' in this way. A bit selfish I know but I am the one who was recently cut! I would say that I am no where near completely healed as yet!

It took me about 2 weeks post circ to get to a stage where the wound was completely closed and healed over, but I wouldn't advise masturbating for at least 3 weeks - judge how you're feeling, but err on the side of caution. I'd leave sex for at least a month. If you re-open the wound it will a) be painful b) be disheartening and c) may scar. All I can say is have a good wank on the morning of your op!

You should reckon on two weeks, if you can, for masturbation, and four is a good idea for sex. Some people have been able to masturbate earlier, being VERY careful, but it's a good idea to give the wound a chance to get on with healing.

Total healing 'til non-sensitive is about 6 weeks.  Doc recommended 4 weeks 'til sex.  He left the masturbation time to me.  I waited 3 weeks and was very gentle.

The wound took about 4 weeks to completely heal over (with the frenulum area taking the longest to heal), and was sore for around a further week. I didn't have a great deal of swelling, but what I did have resolved fairly quickly. I had my first wank about 3 weeks after my cut, but I still haven't had sex (nothing to do with the circ, more a lack of partner!)

Wear your foreskin back behind the glans for as long as possible before the operation to get the glans used to contact with underwear. Immediately after the operation use fairly tight briefs to give support to the penis and glans rather than letting it flop about in loose boxers. Your brain will gradually 'tune out' the everyday contact signals over a period of 2-3 months, but you may always be aware of your circumcised status!

Wear loose fitting boxer shorts; I am not sure how sensitive your glans is? Have you had it exposed for a good time or do you have a tight foreskin that has hardly ever been retracted? If the latter then it will obviously take longer to settle down. In my case I used to try to keep my foreskin retracted as much as possible so it didn't take long to normalise.

The glans shouldn't feel uncomfortable rubbing in your underpants. If it does, there's a good chance you're carrying around a low-grade candida infection. The glans should feel amazing rubbing in your pants. How long until this subsides to normal not-making-you-erect all the time? Maybe about six weeks and you get used to the feeling. It never completely goes away, it always feels great. Guys who were cut at birth still experience it, but they don't know anything else so they take it as normal - a few careful questions will demonstrate that. Try taping your foreskin back - I described it a couple of days ago in another reply. First off, there's no return from The Land of the Circumcised - once it's done, it's done, so you really want to make sure that you'll like it. Secondly, it'll clear up your candida problem. Finally, it'll get you used to having your head rubbing in your underpants, hopefully making for a little less excitement during the post-op time

No two people are the same here mate, how sensitive is your glans? Does you foreskin retract easily?

I had a recirc and cannot remember from the first op.

By wearing tight underwear. This will immobilise your penis and minimise any rubbing. I had a very short foreskin to start with which retracted very easily. I also wore my 'skin' back for the two week period preceding my circumcision to acclimate it to being exposed. Consequently I have never had any discomfort with this aspect of the process. Where I did have major discomfort was with the now retracted inner foreskin. That is where the swelling occurs and there was a massively irritating sensation accompanying it. That too took about 4 weeks to calm down. I am still experiencing some swelling and there is still a bit of this tingling but it is not unbearable as it was before.

I kept my foreskin back for about a year before circ, so the head was no longer sensitive by the time I got cut. There is nothing you can really do to speed things up - its just one of those things

It's not really that uncomfortable, even initially, but tight briefs will stop your penis from moving around in your underwear.

I did/do not have that problem.  I suppose tight briefs might help.

I didn't experience any discomfort from my glans rubbing, more of a pleasant sensation which just served to remind me that I was cut. The most discomfort I felt was from the stitches catching on my underwear.

Most men report that they experienced no pain or minimal pain.  It is usually described as 'being a bit uncomfortable' for a week or so. Ordinary Paracetamol based pain tablets can easily cope with any more serious discomfort.

Probably not, the only pain I had was a slight prick (excuse the non-intentional pun!) When the Dr injected the anaesthetic into the base of my dick. There was also a very slight soreness around the cut when the anaesthetic wore off but it did not last long.

I was circumcised on a Saturday. That Sunday night, I was in a nightclub, dancing on a speaker with my friends. Next had to work on Monday afternoon - fairly physical job, no problems whatsoever for the first day or two. On the following Wednesday or Thursday, I was coiling a microphone cable. In years of doing that, I don't remember ever having the heavy XLR connector on the end of the cable swing around and hit me in the crotch. But this time, it did. It was agony - it got me just the right place, apparently. The moral: don't coil microphone cables for at least a week following your circumcision. Other than that, the only serious pain was the local anaesthetic going in, and the sutures coming out. You might want to insist on a topical anaesthetic for that! Part of the lack of pain, I attribute to the Gomco clamp. I think the
very even and neat incision line is less likely to cause pain than a typical freehand circumcision, but I have no basis for comparison having only been circumcised once (unlike some other people on this list!).

The Freehand circ method used by most Drs in the UK leaves you with a very swollen and bruised penis you will experience pain for a couple of days the discomfort for a week or so

I didn't have any real pain. A dull ache for a day maybe, and was woken a couple of times during the first few nights with an erection, which was initially a bit uncomfortable. But I didn't need any painkillers or the like

You could do - discomfort anyway. This was especially the case with me after my first circ. My (very) real discomfort lasted for quite a few days, however, after my 2nd and 3rd circs it was only for a matter of hours (I found that after the anaesthetic had worn off, Paracetamol / nurofen was pretty effective - don’t take anything containing aspirin though). By the way Dan, and I shouldn’t be meaning to frighten you here, and despite what some folk would have you believe, don’t be too surprised if you experience some pain during the actual op itself .Despite that during circs 2 and 3 Dr zarifa had topped me up with as much extra anaesthetic as he dare, there were times when I had to stop myself
from crying out. Indeed someone else, and with whom I have had contact, almost passed out with the pain and said that no matter how unsatisfactory the outcome might turn out to be, no way would he go through the procedure again. Of course it would appear that some experience no discomfort at all, - but I thought it only fair to warn you (as they say "forewarned is forearmed").

I had no pain to speak of - a bit of a dull ache for about 3 hours but a couple of Paracetamol took care of that. Do NOT take anything with aspirin as this will increase the likelihood of bleeding.

No,  I didn't. When the local wore off, about an hour afterwards, I did notice a tingling slightly stinging sensation, but nothing that could even vaguely be described as pain. Once you get past that stage, the only pain I experienced was waking up in the middle of the night with an erection. Again, not much you can do about that. They go down pretty quickly once you wake up, and it didn't do any damage, so don't worry about those.

I found that after the anaesthetic wore off, there was a burning sensation that died away after a few hours. After that, it was sore, certainly, but not particularly painful. Nighttime erections can be a bit startling, though, I'm afraid - be warned. After a week or so I found that the stitches were itching like crazy, and was extremely relieved to have them out.

Mild to moderate pain for about 4 days, easing up each day.

Once the anaesthesia wore off I experienced a burning/tingling sensation around the cut line, but that was all. 6 hours after my circ I went clubbing! Nocturnal erections on the other hand weren't that pleasant - not so much painful but more the fear of the pain (if that makes sense!). Thankfully my body seemed to know what had happened and I didn't get any 'proper' erections until I was into the second week.

The doctor will advise you as to how long the initial bandage/dressing should remain undisturbed.  If you want to keep it
dry then shower rather than bathing and use one of those zip-top bags over your penis to keep the water out.  This will not be for more than 48 hours.

I would not bathe for about a week but showering is no problem provided you protect your dick from too much wetness. Could cover it up with plastic or something.

Should be no problem; I showered as normal - no bathing. But your doctor's instructions may differ.

I cut myself using a left in place clamp so this was never an issue. But a plastic bag taped around the base should do the trick.

I just carried on showering as normal, while the bandage was on (first 24 hours) I avoided a shower, but after that was fine.

I think (but do check) that regular cleaning of the penis after (repeat, after) the dressing is removed is essential. Any cleaning should be done with a "pure" perfumeless white soap - no disinfectant etc. Drying should be done by patting.

I took a shower with a plastic bag round my penis secured with an elastic band.  No problem really.

Dr Z told me that I should soak off the tight compression bandage the following morning in the bath. It came off easily, a tiny bit of blood but that was all. I had a bath twice a day for the next fortnight which I think really helped and was the reason I healed quite quickly. Some people recommend salt in the bath, but I didn't bother. Showering / bathing = no problem. Just be gentle (obviously!!) Oh and wipe away any pus or yellow oozing. Its not infection, but you do need to get rid of it. At first I didn't know what it was, and it was right on the cut line, so I left it, and it built up, and looked pretty rank. Eventually I plucked up the guts to have a prod at it and it all came away easily, so no worries.

Stick with baths for the first week or so - no soap, but a little salt is apparently a good idea (I found this out too late for myself). After that, you should be able to shower normally, but be gentle!

My doc told me to keep the surgical dressing on overnight, remove in the morning and take a normal shower.  I did with no problem and then after that, showered daily as usual.

After soaking the compression dressing off in the bath the day after my circumcision I had twice daily baths with a little salt added. I didn't use soap on the wound area until it had completely healed over and just used non-fleecing cotton pads to remove the 'gunk' from the cut line. I continued with this for 2 weeks and then started having showers (of course being careful to keep the spray away from the cut line and my newly exposed helmet)

Assuming you have the operation under local anaesthetic you can drive straight afterwards.  However, if it involves a long motorway trip (i.e. you cannot stop when you want to take any pressure off your crotch) then it might be better to have a friend drive you so you can relax in the passenger seat.

You should be able to drive but might be better if you have somebody with you. I was circumcised around noon and went home afterwards by tube and bus and to work that same evening by car without any problems whatsoever.

If it's a local, you should be able to drive again right away. Be aware that as the local wears off, there may be some discomfort, though I didn't experience any. Don't let it distract you from driving.

Circ is done under a local you could drive but it would not be recommended, what if a stitch burst?

Personally I would advise against driving. Indeed I think conventional wisdom dictates that in any case someone should "be with you" for at least 24 hours after the op (for what it’s worth I never had anyone "with me").

I am sure you can drive, but if there is someone who you can have with you then I'd advise you to ask him/her to come with you. I had a friend give me a lift home and that was a real blessing.  I certainly felt a bit vulnerable.

Yes - no problem driving I wouldn't have thought. I didn't have any pain walking etc afterwards. However, I'd advise you to think about training in if possible, just in case. Plus there isn't a lot of parking around the surgery

You can *probably* drive, but I'd get the train if I were you.

I dunno, but would suggest that you have someone else do the initial driving.

Because I had knee surgery the week before my circ I was unable to drive anyway - and instead had to rely on trains & the tube. I think I could've driven without any problems though had my knee been OK.

You might not feel like hard work for about a week. If your job places you at risk of knocking your penis with heavy items than it is better to allow a week off work.

Mine was an office job so no problem but if you have a heavy manual job, it could be better to refrain from work for a while.

Lifting and carrying were no problems for me, just coiling mic cables. During that first week after my circumcision, I had to do a show where the load in was through a narrow staircase and hallway - let me tell you, carrying flight cases up there wasn't pleasant, but that had nothing to do with my circumcision.

Have you ever had a stitch pull? Imagine that happening in your willy, considering the circ method you would need at least a week off in my opinion

Didn't stop me cutting our large lawn the same afternoon, in fact you can do almost anything with just a little care to prevent knocking the wound, but of course no sex for a while.

Maybe for a week - I'm sure Dr Z will advise

Seek more informed advice. My sense is that you will probably have to exercise care for about a week?

Even if you had a sedentary job, I would advise you to take a week off work. Finding a comfortable position for you penis in the first week is an enormous challenge and I think this is best achieved at home if you can afford the time. If you do have any 'complications' this is when they are likely to occur and they are certainly better dealt with at home.

Yes I'd take a week or possibly a fortnight off. Take it easy. I'm sure it helps with the healing process. Especially if your job involves a lot of lifting.

I'd suggest taking a few days off. If you book the surgery for a Thursday or Friday, you can use the weekend as initial recovery time and minimise the amount of time you have to take off work.

My surgery was on a Thursday as I recall, and I could have gone back to work on Monday, but as it turned out I did not have to.

I had a week off work following my circumcision as a result of having knee surgery - I think I could have gone back to work a day or so afterwards but I don't think I would have been very comfortable (most of the first week was spent naked - not sure if the boxers were uncomfortable or if I was intrigued by what was now hanging between my legs!).

You need to ask the surgeon, but in principle there is no reason why not.

Yes, I would think so, you don't need your frenulum and the penis looks much better with out.

Yup. And if you're having yourself circumcised relatively tightly (which I'd recommend - and go 20% tighter than you think you want, because you will loosen up over the first couple of years), the frenulum will definitely cause a problem. I didn't find my frenulum to be at all erogenous; if anything, the scar where it used to be is more sensitive than the frenulum was.

This depends on how much frenulum there is remaining

Dr Z will remove the frenulum remnant I'm sure

When I went along to the 1st consultation I very much had it in mind to keep at least some of my frenulum - part of my rationale here was that I reasoned that it could always be removed later if I felt it to be necessary. Anyway Dr Z strongly advised removal of my (and I think anyone else’s as well) frenulum, and so I told him to do so. I have never regretted that decision and I do not miss my frenulum at all, and so, yes it can be removed as part of the overall procedure.

Dr Z will prescribe the removal of all of the frenulum and you should go for that. It is supposed to give a better cosmetic result and a tighter finish.

I'm not sure, but I can't see why not

Should be possible, I expect, but you'll need to ask the surgeon.

I would certainly think so.  Talk to your doc about it.

Dr Zarifa removed the remains of my frenulum and the tag without any problems (in fact the frenulum I had left would have made it very difficult to achieve a tight circumcision as it was still quite tight).

You need enough spare skin after circumcision to allow for 'growth' on erection.  It can initially be a bit tighter because (a) the swelling will make it seem tighter than it is and (b) the shaft skin/inner foreskin will stretch a bit as you 'use' it and thus will loosen up a bit. A 'tight' circumcision allows you to masturbate by running your hand the full length of the penis without dragging loose skin with it and masking the rim.  It also avoids masking the sensitive rim during penetrative sex, particularly on the 'out' stroke. A 'loose' circumcision allows you to continue to masturbate as you
may be used to by rubbing foreskin back and forth over the glans rim. A 'high' circumcision has been the 'holy grail' of Circlist members for many years, but a growing body of medical research shows that a 'low' cut to remove all the inner foreskin may be better.  The inner foreskin is implicated in the heterosexual transfer of HIV/AIDS to the male.  Also, after circumcision the remnant of inner foreskin will retain the swelling for longest, so the less there is of it the faster the swelling subsides.  The inner skin surface is also prone to abrasion during sex. Whilst it might be a bit more 'sensitive' initially, there seems to be no long-term sensitivity benefit from retaining the inner layer of foreskin.

Can't really say, when I was circumcised I knew nothing about high and tight or high and loose. The doctor did say that he would remove as much foreskin as possible as he didn't want me to have to come back for a re-circ. I have ended up with a high and tight circ. It is fairly loose when flaccid but very tight when erect.

High is good, you do want to keep the inner foreskin, but make sure that the scar isn't so far back that it's not involved in sex. I find the scar to be quite erogenous. Tend to go tighter. My ideal would be, on a cold winter's day, while sitting, the skin doesn't even touch the corona. That would be quite a tight circumcision. I always found it to be annoying when, before I was circumcised, my foreskin would roll back onto my head - it felt heavy and uncomfortable. I would think that there'd be the same sort of feeling with a loose circumcision. Of course, if you go too tight, you end up with a couple of problems - painful erections, and hair on the penis shaft. You can stretch the shaft skin until you get it to the right tightness for you, but I would recommend against doing that for at least two years after your circumcision (you will naturally loosen up). The hair from the pubic region getting pulled up onto the shaft is caused if you're extremely tightly circumcised, and might be addressable by electrolysis or other permanent hair removal technique

Possibly some covering, but Dr Z will advise. Are you sure about the terms above? I assume you mean the difference between high and low circ? As a grower it would be best to be tight so there is minimal coverage when flaccid, the high / low is really a personal choice, and I went for low

Well, of course `high` means more sensitive inner skin and `tight` seems to be the sort of current order of the day. Certainly one reason being the apparent `sleekness` of the look. In some folk’s eyes, `loose` gives a "masturbation option" - (by virtue of the skin movement that is undoubtedly possible), and which they feel would not be possible with the (relative) lack of movable skin that traditionally accompanies a (very) tight cut. When I was uncircumcised virtually the only way I ever masturbated was by moving "skin" up and down, - direct stimulation of the glans, stroking the frenulum, etc., never really did anything for me in this regard. I was left with movable skin which enabled me to have great masturbation, - (and as with my uncircumcised status, direct glans stimulation and so on just didn’t seem to work).

Do not ask for anything loose. You will surely be disappointed with the result. That is again a theme that is universal in this and other groups. Tight is definitely better. I asked Dr Z to cut me as tight as possible and he made three adjustments to the forceps position before actually cutting me. I have virtually no movement on the shaft when I am erect and absolutely no coverage when I am flaccid. I too am a grower so I don't think this is impossible to achieve.  Just make it abundantly clear to him that you want it tight - very tight even!

I have high and tight, which is fantastic. I didn't want any coverage either flaccid or erect, and Dr Z took that into account. I am a grower as well, and when soft there is a bit of wrinkled skin behind glans, but it never covers.

A tighter circ will give you less skin mobility when both flaccid and erect. Visually, tighter "looks more circ'd", which may or may not be an issue for you. Functionally, there's probably not that much difference, though masturbating may require different techniques. I went for high & tight, and am very pleased with the results

I too am a "grower" so can relate to that.  I have a low and tight circ.  My adult circ was partially due to a low and loose juvenile circ.  In order to remove all of the original scar it was necessary to make the re-circ even lower (very close to the glans), and thankfully much tighter.  I never really had much inner foreskin to comment on a high circ pro or con, but I like the style I have now very much.  All things considered, I'd still go for a low and tight style.  I like the clean dick with hardly a noticible scar.  Looks like I was born that way, esp when flacid.  Other guys/gals will tell you they like the scar high, or distinct, rough cut, or whatever, for various reasons, so I think it should be up to the individual.  Since you are choosing to have it done, you should choose the style.

Some will take note of your desires whilst others will not. Pictures might help, but actually marking your own penis to how where you think it should be cut would be more beneficial, as well as being there as a guide during the surgery itself.

I don't really know but I guess I would do no harm.

Not necessarily. Many doctors won't differentiate between different expected cosmetic results and just give you their usual "one size fits all" circumcision. Make *very sure* that your doctor will do it as you want it.

Anyone who is being circumcised by me MUST show me pictures of what results they expect and explain why they like these pics. I would expect a Dr to show you pics prior to explaining on your own penis

Dr Z gave me a full examination before; including moving the remaining foreskin to see how much could be removed. I assume he would do the same to you, to see how long the foreskin is and discuss how much to remove.

Most definitely (although I did not myself ever show him any pictures - partly because I maybe wasn’t really certain as to what `style` to ask for.

Most definitely. I took along pictures and they were a great help. Try to find ones that are roughly the same size as yourself, and not pornographic.

Maybe, but I doubt he could copy a circumcision from a picture. If you tell him you want tight, he'll understand what you mean.

Definitely.

I think so.  He should discuss your expectations.

I didn't show the doctor any pictures of my desired result, but I did tell him how much inner foreskin I wanted to retain, how tight I wanted it, etc. (Bearing in mind I did a hell of a lot of research beforehand!)

Dr Zarifa is a fully qualified surgeon (most other circumcisers outside of hospitals/clinics are merely physicians) who is aware of the cosmetic desires of his adult patients.  Everyone who has used his services seems to speak highly of him.  I have seen him at work and believe he does a good job.

You may find some on one of the groups. I have spoken/emailed several people who have been circumcised by Dr Zarifa and they were all very pleased with his work.

I had my second revision done by Dr Zarifa, and I rate him very highly - he really does think about the cosmetic result whereas most surgeons do not. Very little discomfort afterwards. My only criticism of Dr Z is that even he is not happy to do really tight circs like they do in America, which is what I would ideally like. But Dr Z is certainly very neat, and his lady assistant is very good in putting you at ease before and during.

Dr Zarifa (a guy perhaps in his middle 50’s and from the West Bank) is a very nice and charming man. Likewise Sylvia (practice manager) and Pat (nurse) are very helpful and reassuring. All three will do their best to put you at ease. Dr Z will listen to your requirements (you may perhaps sense something of a feeling that he “wants to get on with it”), and he will almost certainly draw a diagram of what he intends to do.

Good choice. I was circ'd by Dr Z. He's a great doctor, though be forewarned of his bad jokes.

I'm very glad that I went to custom house for my circumcision. Dr Zarifa and his staff were very professional and did there utmost to put me at ease. We had a 10-15 minute consultation to discuss why I wanted to be circumcised, and (more importantly) how I wanted to be circumcised, complete with diagrams! I didn't manage to find many pictures of Dr Z's work, but hopefully the final pics on this site should change that. As for Dr Zarifa's sense of humour it was on a par with my own so that just helped to relax me (a bit weird though, having a laugh with the surgeon as he's cutting off part of your cock)

These are very subjective matters but most adult circumcisees state that sex is improved, or at least the same.  Particular sensations may change, but the overall result is at least as pleasurable.  If you currently have any problem with retraction or frenulum breve then circumcision will provide a very definite improvement.

Masturbation and all forms of sexual activity are a million times better after circumcision, or they certainly were in my case. However, don’t rush to do this, let things settle down. You will probably have a hard band around the cut for a while but this will eventually soften and disappear.

Yes!

Yes by about 90% sex is much, much, much better

Can’t speak for sex, but masturbation is great - and certainly no worse than when I was uncircumcised.

So far I can report that wanking is definitely improved. I have used lube for some time now even before I was cut and that is definitely the way to go.

Yes, enormously.

I've found a small improvement in sex and a larger one in masturbation (my partner seems rather enthusiastic about oral sex, too, which is nice, but I'm not certain if it's related). Not everyone agrees on this, of course.

It will be necessary to develop new masturbation techniques. Actually I thought it was fun.  Like having a new toy.  For me, I get the most enjoyment with lubrication; however, I can go without if not available or convenient.  Even tho I was circ'd as a kid, when having sex, my loose foreskin tended to retract somewhat to at least cover the rim of the glans.  Now I find that I can feel the rim during sex which is a new sensation for me, and has made it much more enjoyable.

Once again I can't comment on sex (for the time being at least), however masturbation without a foreskin is great - once you get over having to lube up every time! When I cum now I don't just dribble, I shoot, and the orgasms are the most intense I've ever had.

Ensure that the sutures are removed after around 10 days if not already dissolved.  Soak daily in a salt bath to promote healing.

Make sure the stitches don't stay in too long and take heed of what your doctor says. I did nothing special to improve the healing process. I just bathed mine and kept it clean.

Don't play with it! Have yourself circumcised with some sort of clamp, because a freehand circ, unless the doctor spends a *lot* of time dissecting it very evenly, will have a jagged scar - and, I think, more healing discomfort. Make sure the sutures are out after a week; lots of self-dissolving sutures don't do it quickly enough to avoid tunnels. Don't freak out, there'll be obvious swelling for at least a month; for about 2-3 months you'll be able to notice the swelling but no one else will. Don't worry, it will subside, and it won't cause any pain.

I didn’t do anything special, but did help the stitches out, when they became loose

I have read much info about the apparent advisability of getting (even self-dissolving) stitches removed some 9 or so days after the procedure. With my first two circs, I did not do this, but just let them come away in their own good time. As for general healing (and please check this out carefully), warm baths containing an "appropriate" amount of salt are recommended, likewise vitamin E oil applied to the wound

This is a very contentious issue. I removed my sutures after 8 days when the first one dropped out by itself. Dr Z will say to let them dissolve on their own, but if they remain in too long they WILL leave unsightly marks. You have to take your own counsel on this one. The gaps I had, by the way, occurred when the stitches were still in! It was only after their removal that the thing started to heal properly.

You won't get suture marks as long as the sutures are all out by about wk 2 - early 3. Although Dr Z didn't advise me to do this, I gently coaxed the stitches out once they got soft and I could see the skin below was healed enough not to need them, and this worked out fine. Word of warning though: don't be too eager to get them all out just to avoid suture marks. I don't think you risk getting suture marks unless they are still present 3-4 weeks post circ. Make sure the wound is well and truly closed  before removing them.

Vitamin E oil (get it from a health food shop) works wonders. Also taking a multi-vitamin for a month or two beforehand, with extra vitamin C (try 2g a day, but be warned your stomach might object for the first day or two). Don't drink, and preferably don't smoke (cut down otherwise). A product named "mederma" is available in the states, which is supposed to be amazing - you could try drugstore.com or something..

I guess that is something you should talk to your doc about.  My doc did a freehand circ, placing a single stitch on the center top to locate the center point, and then used one continuous stitch around the entire resection.  I have an almost invisible scar.  As time has gone by, it has faded more and more.  There are no tunnels at all.  In fact there are none of the "railroad tracks" at all.  There is a small line of tracks along the line where the frenulum was removed. He was an artist in my mind

Twice daily salt-water baths and gently cleaning the wound with a non-fleecing cotton pad seemed to do the trick for me. I didn't apply anything to the wound other than the antiseptic powder given to me by the doctor, however once the wound had closed over I started applying vitamin E oil twice daily. As for the stitches mine came out within 3 weeks (although I did help some of them out with a pair of sterilised tweezers).

No idea!  Never come across them.

Sorry I have no idea on minimising scaring.

Absolutely! But wait for at least a year after your circumcision. You'll be amazed how much the scar settles down on its own. I had a little bit of hypertrophic scarring on the underside where I disturbed the wound (hey, I was 22, I was feeling' frisky!). It responded very well to a silicone sheet. Everything now looks like I was circumcised at birth - Gomco ring of a routine infant circ in an American or Canadian hospital. ('Course, nowadays it's all Plastibells, but the Gomco scars correct given a 1974 birthday.)

No experience with these, but I suppose it might be worth a try?

Probably - but without I doubt you'll have much of a scar - I don't. You will always be able to see where scar is / was though, because of the very obvious skin colouration difference.

No idea, sorry. I'd imagine you can once the wound has closed.

I can't comment on this at the moment as I haven't tried anything other than vitamin E oil to minimise scarring (maybe if the scar hasn't settled to my satisfaction within 6 months I might give this a go)