Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. Families choose it for cultural, religious, medical, or personal reasons, and choosing not to circumcise is equally valid. It is a small procedure, but it is done once and the result lasts a lifetime. This is your son: it is worth having it done by a pediatric surgeon who does it every week.
Every child is different. These are the most common reasons families come to us.
A family's decision for a newborn
Many families choose circumcision in the first weeks of life for cultural, religious, or personal reasons.
Foreskin that cannot retract
Phimosis, a tight foreskin, is normal in young boys but sometimes persists or causes problems in older children.
Repeated infections
Recurrent infections of the foreskin or urinary tract can make circumcision medically helpful.
Ballooning or pain with urination
A very tight foreskin can trap urine and cause discomfort.
Foreskin stuck behind the tip
Paraphimosis, when a retracted foreskin cannot return, is an emergency.
A circumcision that does not look right
Excess skin, an uneven edge, adhesions, or a buried appearance after an earlier circumcision can all be corrected. See revision below.
When to call, and when to go straight in
If the foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis and swelling, if your child cannot urinate, or if there is heavy bleeding after a procedure, go to the emergency room or call 911. For questions about whether circumcision is right for your family, mild redness, or routine post-procedure care, call our office.
Minimally invasive wherever it is the safest choice, and a plan you can understand and take home.
Neutral, unbiased guidance
I share the potential benefits and risks openly and support whatever decision your family makes.
Comfort at every age
Newborns receive local anesthesia and comfort measures. Older children are treated under general anesthesia by pediatric anesthesiologists.
Meticulous technique
A careful, aesthetic-conscious approach reduces complications and produces a natural result.
Alternatives when appropriate
For some boys with a tight foreskin, a steroid cream or a less extensive procedure may be an option worth discussing.
Circumcisions are often performed by clinicians who do only a handful a year, and the aesthetic result is not always what a family expected. Revision is a routine part of my practice. If you are unhappy with how your son's circumcision healed, or your pediatrician has pointed something out, it can almost always be improved.
Too much skin left behind
An incomplete or uneven circumcision can leave extra foreskin on one side. Revision evens the line and gives a symmetric, natural result.
Adhesions and skin bridges
Skin that has healed down onto the head of the penis, or a bridge of tissue across it, can be released and prevented from re-forming.
A buried or concealed appearance
When a fat pad or a tight scar ring makes the penis look hidden, the skin is reshaped so the result stays visible as your son grows.
Meticulous, aesthetic-focused technique
Revisions are done under anesthesia appropriate for your son's age, with fine dissolving stitches and a result planned for how it will look years from now.
Before
An honest conversation
We review your reasons, examine your child, and go over the procedure, comfort plan, and aftercare so you feel fully prepared.
Day of surgery
Brief and well managed
Newborn procedures are often done in the office. Older children have a short outpatient operation and go home the same day.
Recovery
Healing over one to two weeks
Mild swelling and a yellowish film on the healing tip are normal. Most children are comfortable within a few days.
Gentle cleansing with warm water; avoid scrubbing.
Some swelling and yellow crusting are part of normal healing.
Older boys should avoid bikes, straddle toys, and sports for about two weeks.
Call for spreading redness, persistent bleeding, or trouble urinating.
Still wondering about something? Bring every question to the consultation. Nothing is too small.
For most boys it is elective. It becomes medically recommended for certain conditions such as recurrent infections or persistent phimosis.
Local anesthesia and comfort measures are used for newborns; older children are asleep under general anesthesia. Soreness afterward is typically mild.
There is no single right age. Newborn procedures are simpler; older children need general anesthesia but do very well.
Risks are low but include bleeding, infection, and aesthetic concerns. We discuss them fully before any decision.
Yes, and I do this often. Extra skin, an uneven edge, adhesions, skin bridges, or a buried appearance can all be corrected. Bring your son in and we will tell you honestly whether revision would help.
Talk it through
Discuss this with Dr. Frykman
Request an appointment and a member of the team will call you back. Urgent concerns are triaged the same day wherever possible.
Dr. Philip K. Frykman
Board-certified pediatric surgeon
Whatever your family decides, I will make sure you have honest information and your child has a gentle, safe experience.
Newborn & Prenatal3 min read
For many parents in Calabasas, deciding whether to have their newborn son circumcised is a deeply personal choice. Whether your decision is based on tradition, faith, family values, or health considerations, it’s important to understand what the procedure involves, when it’s best performed, and who should do it. At Pacific Coast Pediatric Surgery, we offer…
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Newborn & Prenatal3 min read
Choosing circumcision for your baby or child is a personal decision that often brings up questions about timing, safety, comfort, and who should perform the procedure. Whether it’s for religious, cultural, medical, or personal reasons, families in Calabasas and the Conejo Valley deserve accurate, compassionate information about what pediatric circumcision involves. At Pacific Coast Pediatric…
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