Katie Simon, MD
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for the ceremony?
All of the items needed prior to the ceremony can be found under the FORMS tab by clicking the checklist button. Please feed your son just prior to the ceremony. A full belly will help him sleep through the procedure. He should be wearing an outfit that can be raised above his diaper.
What should I expect during the ceremony?
I will examine your son in a separate room and administer the lidocaine. Then I will swaddle him and place him on the pillow. I will place the clamp on the penis and then replace the diaper. The Kvatter and Kvatterin will bring your son on the pillow into the room for the ceremony. The child will be passed to the Sandek who will hold him still during the circumcision.
What should I expect after the ceremony ?
Immediately after the circumcision, the penis will be red, raw and swollen. I will place a gauze pad with Vaseline over the penis. I like to call this the pee pee teepee. The gauze will help catch the expected few drops of blood and the Vaseline will protect the penis from rubbing or sticking to the diaper. A few drops of blood are okay but a saturated gauze is not. I will do a bleeding check prior to my departure and you will do bleeding checks every hour for 3 hours. After your son’s pee pee teepee and diaper are placed, he can be cuddled and fed if he wishes. A quiet room away from all the guests is the best place to do this and will help him feel much better. The guests can enjoy the festive meal at this time.
What is the post circumcision care?
With each diaper change make a new pee pee teepee. You will continue this until the penis no longer looks red, raw, and swollen which usually takes several days. A yellowish, wet looking scab is healing tissue and no cause for alarm. Do not pick off the scab, it will fall off on its own. If there is increased redness, swelling, or pus please contact me or your pediatrician. If he develops a temperature of 100.4 or higher he needs to be evaluated in the emergency room (I recommend Dell Children’s Medical Center).
To clean the penis, just dab with a wet and clean wash cloth. Do not rub and do not use wipes. This will avoid a chemical irritation. If stool should get on the circumcision site, gently remove it with a wet and clean wash cloth.
It is normal for the moist skin from the shaft of the penis to adhere to the rim of the penis during the healing process. I tend to be generous in the amount of foreskin that I remove to prevent adhesions and the need for future revision of the circumcision. It can also be prevented by GENTLY pulling back the on the skin of the shaft of the penis and applying Vaseline around the base of the head of the penis during the healing period. Even if adhesions occur, they are generally mild and will likely go away naturally as he grows and has erections.
Do not be surprised if he does not eat well for the first couple of feedings after the circumcision. If he seems excessively fussy, infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used one or two times. Please follow the directions for dosing on the bottle. If he needs more than 2 doses of Tylenol please call me or his pediatrician. I do not recommend prolonged use of Tylenol. Do not use Motrin, Advil, or ibuprofen as these are not indicated in infants less than 6 months of age.
What is the payment policy?
Medical services are provided and billed by Katie Simon, MD. Payment via cash, personal check, or Venmo is required upon service. My recommended fee is $850. If you have any financial concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with me.
How do I reach you before or after the bris if we have questions?
Please feel free to call or text my personal cell phone during daylight or early evening hours. My number is (512) 706-5379. You may also email me at KatieSimonMD@gmail.com. I am a practicing physician and mother and may not be able to answer the phone or text immediately but will make every effort to get back to you as soon as I can.