Circumcision Specialist
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Medical Procedures Center
Lorenzo Berlanga, MD
Dermatology Procedures and Primary Care located in Midland, MI
The decision to circumcise your baby is a personal one and a choice that is made at the family level. For parents in and around Midland, Michigan, who are looking for a highly skilled and compassionate practitioner to perform their son’s circumcision, Lorenzo Berlanga, MD, of Medical Procedures Center is a great choice. Learn more about the process during a consultation, which can be booked over the phone.
Circumcision Q&A
What is circumcision?
Circumcision is a minor surgical procedure that removes your baby’s foreskin, the skin that covers the tip of the penis. It usually takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish and is an outpatient procedure. In fact, circumcision can be done before you and your baby leave the hospital after delivery.
The practice of circumcision dates back to 3000 BC. By the 20th century, circumcision was widely practiced in English-speaking nations. Today, nearly half of all baby boys are circumcised during infancy.
Why choose circumcision?
There are a number of reasons to have your son circumcised. For some families, the decision is made for health reasons. In others, it is a religious or cultural decision.
There is evidence to suggest that babies who are circumcised have lower rates of urinary tract infection. Circumcision can also reduce the risk of contracting human papillomavirus (HPV), which is among the most common sexually transmitted diseases and a known cause of cancer.
Because circumcision makes it easier for parents (and, eventually, for your child) to keep the penis clean, the practice may also prevent other infections.
Circumcision is an important part of the Jewish faith, and many Islamic cultures also support circumcision. For some parents, the decision is made for aesthetic purposes, and to conform with a cultural norm.
What happens during circumcision?
Circumcision is a straightforward process. The doctors at Medical Procedures Center have extensive experience performing circumcisions, and they have the skills and training needed to complete the procedure swiftly and effectively, with minimal risk of complications.
A numbing cream or injection reduces sensation in the area. Your baby’s arms and legs are secured with padded restraints to limit movement during the procedure.
There are several ways to complete a circumcision, but all use a medical clamp or ring that attaches to the penis, allowing the practitioner the access needed to trim away excess foreskin. Once that process is complete, an ointment helps protect and soothe the skin, and a bandage covers the area.
It takes between 7-10 days for the healing process to conclude. During that time, you should take care to avoid placing pressure on your baby’s penis and use a small amount of petroleum jelly to prevent the penis from sticking to the diaper. You can gently clean the area as needed.
If you have questions or concerns about circumcision, schedule a visit at Medical Procedures Center to learn more. Online booking is fast and easy, or you are always welcome to call and speak with a member of the administrative staff regarding scheduling.
