My 5yr old has to have a circumcision done! Is it really worth the risk being that general anesthesia is used?

I know someone who didn't get their son's done at birth, but got it done when he was about 15 months. He is perfectly fine. If it's a health risk, which it sounds like it is since he has gotten a lot of infections, you almost have to. The longer you wait the older he gets the worse the condition gets. I know it sounds scary, especially after hearing all of the risks. But like you said, they HAVE to tell you all of the risks. When/If they do do it, they will make you sign some forms, one of them stating that you are aware of all the risks and benefits, which is why they need to say everything. Also, my cousin's son was 2 months when he underwent open heart surgery. He is fine :) I know it's scary and you don't really want to do it, but it really needs to be done. Better to do it now, than to wait until he is older and have even more health complications. Good luck

My son isnt able to pull back the foreskin at all so basically I clean the tip the best I can but it is almost completely closed. This has provoked several infections. Our family doctor said it was a routine procedure and that he could be accompanied by a parent and that local anesthesia would be used! We thought WOW IT WON'T BE TOO BAD...but today we spoke to the surgeon who informed us that our son will not be awake during the procedure and no one may accompany him. He also explained that he is responsable for the surgery itself and not the anesthesia and that he will do the surgery but we should be aware of the risks regarding the anesthesia. I know this and I know we must be informed but hearing it made it so much more real. . I don't think its a risk worth taking, but medically speaking he needs it ... How much of a risk is it and I would like to hear your opinions please...thanks

He obviously needs it done otherwise they would not suggest it, and you say yourself it has got infected several times which isnt' a good thing. You will probably find you are able to stay whilst he has the anaesthetic, but once he's asleep you'll be taken out so that they can get on with it asap.

Speak to your GP/doctor about it, and see what they can do to reassure you. Personally I'd have it done. General anaesthetics do obviously have a slight risk, but he can't keep having infections down there, otherwise what will be a simple op, will turn into something more serious. Before I quit work I saw lots of kids being anaesthetised - many on a daily basis - for treatment, and they were all absolutely fine. The parents were obviously stressed out, and the kids sometimes cried but only because they didn't want to be sat still - they wanted to be up and running not having to sit and go to sleep. Try to stay as calm as you can for him, and make sure you follow all the directions (ie no food/drink etc to make it as smooth as possible)

I realize that there is a risk when using anaesthesia, but imagine the risk if you choose not to go ahead with the surgery. Do you really want to jeopardize your son's health (and, let's be honest, his sexual future)?

Not your initial question, but it is normal for his foreskin to not retract at 5 yrs old. You shouldn't be trying to clean the tip, just wiping it off like a finger. If you are attempting to invasively clean the tip or attempting to retract, you could have caused these infections.
I personally, would get a second opinion.

he'll be just fine. There is a bigger risk NOT having surgery. It's more likley he'd die from infection, than from anesthesia (not that i think he would die). People are knocked out all the time. Just calm down, and be there for your lil guy. Trust me, it'll be okay :)

It is not that big of a deal---people get it all the time. It is actually better for your son than to be awake and have to go through that. Kids are put to sleep all the time for tests and procedures.

The reason the doctor doesn't control the anesthesia is because an ANESTHESIOLOGIST will do it. They specialize only in different types of anesthesia, they know what they are doing, and they do it to people all day long. Putting people under can be scary for the patient and family, but whoever does it will be a professional. Do not worry too much about it. They know exactly what to do in order to keep your baby safe. I'm not saying that there is no possible way anything can go wrong, but statistically your child has a better chance of injury from driving down the street everyday.

About 28 million people undergo anesthesia and surgery every year in the US, and only about one in every 250,000 anesthetizations will result in death. Usually the deaths are extreme cases! (The death rate for motor vehicle accidents is 41:250,000 and from household injuries, 22:250,000.)

the risk of anything going wrong with anesthesia is incredibly low, .64%, it IS a risk worth taking considering the alternative is future frequent infections, which can get really bad and cause a lot of damage. The doctor wont be in charge for the anesthesia, because an anesthesiologist is, someone who went to school for years for the sole purpose of learning to do this job, theyre trained professionals. it almost better that hes under, so he wont see whats happening and panic. this is something your son has to have done, its medically necessary, so of course its worth the risk.