Snip Happens: Our Writer Got Circumcised And Tells His Tale, (Un)cut

Circumcision is a procedure most commonly associated with infancy or childhood, but what about adults who make the cut later in life? Whether for religious, medical, or personal reasons, adult male circumcision is a topic that isn’t often discussed openly – probably because, let’s be real, few men are keen to chat about their nether regions getting snipped. But aiyah, we all kaypoh right?

For Wonderwall.sg writer Ng Kai, 26, the decision was tied to his faith. Having embraced Islam and married into a Muslim family, circumcision was simply the next step. While some might hesitate at the thought of losing their foreskin, he took it in stride, doing his research, choosing a reputable clinic, and going through the process with a mix of calmness and curiosity.

So what’s it like to get circumcised as an adult? What happens in the days after? And, most importantly, how pain?! He shares his experience – candid, humorous, and uncut (well, his words, not his foreskin).

IMAGE: CANVA

What research did you do before the procedure, and how did you choose your clinic?

I just Googled “adult male circumcision Singapore” and checked out the first three clinics that popped up. I read their reviews, and they all basically said the same thing –quick, painless, no big deal. The clinic I chose had great reviews specifically for circumcision, so I figured my manhood was in good hands (literally).

I also asked around – my uncle did it as an adult for personal reasons, a Muslim friend had it done as a kid, and my partner’s male relatives shared their experiences. Nobody had horror stories, so I thought, “Aiyah, nothing to worry about”, and booked the procedure.

How long did the process take from consultation to procedure?

I booked my appointment online, and the clinic WhatsApped me to ask if I wanted to do the procedure on the same day. Since I was mentally ready, I agreed.

On the day itself, my slot was 11:40 am to 12:20 pm. I registered, went into the doctor’s room at 11:40 am, did a quick Q&A, signed the consent form, and that was it – the procedure started. The whole thing, from walking into the clinic to walking out, took 1 hour 20 minutes. The actual circumcision? Less than 15 minutes. Really fast game.

Dr Muhammad Taufiq bin Rashid, my doctor, was easy-going and reassuring. He walked me through the entire process, from explaining the procedure to aftercare, and patiently answered all my questions. During the circumcision, he kept checking in to make sure I was comfortable, which really helped put me at ease.

IMAGE: CANVA

How nervous were you before the procedure?

Surprisingly, not very. The clinic had great reviews, so I knew I was in good hands. I’d compare it to getting my wisdom tooth extracted or getting a tattoo – you voluntarily go in for it, so it’s not a shock. But I did feel a bit shy lah, ’cause another guy (even though he’s a doctor) was handling my private parts. So more shy than scared.

What was the procedure like? Were you awake? Did you feel anything?

It was as advertised – quick and mostly painless. I was awake throughout, just yapping with the doctor about random stuff. I could see him operating, including the bleeding when he cut the foreskin (definitely not for the faint-hearted). A nurse came in later to assist, and she handled the tool like a pro.

Now, the big question – was it really painless? Almost. Despite my high pain tolerance, I did feel a “hot pinch” (like an ant bite) when the foreskin was cut, even with the numbing cream applied. But since the doctor prepped me for it, I was ready. If I had to rank pain levels: tattoos were the worst, wisdom tooth extraction in the middle, and circumcision the least painful.

What kind of circumcision did you opt for?

I went for the stapler circumcision. I thought it would be a literal stapler, like the stationery kind. Turns out, it’s a contraption that looks like a rocket ship.

Other options include traditional scalpel (cut and sutured), laser, and the Shang Ring. The clinic only offered stapler or Shang Ring, and the latter had a longer healing time, so I went with stapler.

What was post-op like?

Once it was done, my willy got wrapped up like a newborn baby – super tight bandages to stop the bleeding. Peeing was a struggle.

The numbing cream wore off about an hour later, and wah, the pain ramped up. It went from 1/10 during the procedure to a solid 4/10. I had to take Tramadol (a stronger painkiller) on top of paracetamol. The pain felt like a really bad toothache – constant throbbing and sensitivity. But after a few hours, it got better. I only needed painkillers for the first two days.

IMAGE: CANVA

What was the healing process like?

Two days later, I returned for a checkup – no major issues, just a small stitch to stop some bleeding. I applied Betadine twice a day and took a full course of antibiotics to prevent infection. The staplers and the silicone ring started falling off by Day 10, and the last one dropped by Day 16 or 17. (Pro tip: it will itch like any wound that’s healing; don’t itchy finger and scratch or pull off the staplers.)

TBH, I don’t feel any different now. But visually? Looks a lot neater—like a fresh fade after a good haircut. 🤣

What’s the most interesting thing you learnt about adult circumcision?

Many men do it for medical reasons, like phimosis (where the foreskin is too tight). If untreated, it can worsen into paraphimosis, which is a medical emergency. My doctor had treated a case before, and let’s just say… sibei bloody.

Before this, I assumed circumcision was about snipping. But modern methods make it way more precise and less painful. Also, a lot of adult men who end up needing circumcision never learnt how to properly pull back and clean their foreskin. So guys, take care of your junk – your future self (and your partner) will thank you.

For the latest updates on Wonderwall.sg, be sure to follow us on TikTok, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have a story idea for us, email us at [email protected].