If your parents left your foreskin intact and you've decided to undergo an adult circumcision, it's time to prepare for the recovery period. Many individuals choose to undergo circumcision once they enter adulthood and are able to decide for themselves. In most cases, your circumcision will be performed by a general surgeon within a hospital setting. You'll probably be placed under general anesthesia, but you should be able to go home the same day. But you'll need to take special precautions during the recovery period. Here are some steps that will help you recover from your circumcision. 

Reduce the Pain and Inflammation 

Following your circumcision surgery, you may experience some pain and inflammation. This is to be expected. But there are some steps you can take to reduce the severity of the pain and inflammation. First, be sure to take the pain medication that's prescribed by your doctor, especially during the first few days following surgery. Once the pain has diminished, you can switch to an over-the-counter pain medication. Second, be sure to keep the inflammation under control. You can do that by applying ice to the surgical site several times a day. It's also important that you wear underwear that can hold your penis in an upright position. Allowing your penis to dangle down towards your feet will increase the pain and inflammation. 

Take Care With Physical Activity

While you're recovering from your circumcision, you'll need to pay close attention to your physical activity. When you first get home from the hospital, you should get as much rest as possible. Adequate rest will help to improve your recovery. After the first day of recovery, try to walk a few times each day. Don't overdo it though. But, try to increase the time you walk a little each day. Be sure to avoid all strenuous activities until you get the go-ahead from your surgeon. 

Avoid All Types of Sexual Activity

Following your circumcision, you'll need to avoid all types of sexual activity. You might think that you only need to avoid actual intercourse, but that's not the case. You also need to avoid masturbation. If you do achieve a spontaneous erection, allow it to resolve on its own without additional stimulation. Stimulating your penis while you're recovering from a circumcision can cause serious injury. 

Watch for Signs of Infection

Finally, if you're scheduled for an adult circumcision, you'll need to watch for signs of infection during the recovery period. Some of the signs you'll need to watch for include increased pain or swelling, foul-smelling discharge from the wound area, or excess bleeding. If you notice any of those signs, contact your surgeon as soon as possible.

For more information, reach out to a resource like Associates of Surgery.