Immediately after the circumcision, I will place a small gauze around the incision site.  This gauze helps prevent any bleeding.    It is saturated with petroleum jelly to prevent sticking.  I will look at the circumcision a few minutes after the Bris.  If it is not bleeding at that time, it is unlikely that it will.    However, I would request that the parents look at the circumcision once an hour for 3 hours to check for bleeding.  One or two drops of blood is fine, but any more than that should prompt you to either call me or your pediatrician.  With each diaper change, please put Vaseline gauze on the penis  (I will show you how) for one week so that the healing tissue will not stick to the diaper.

Over the first 2 days, the penis will become mildly swollen, beefy red and will have a yellowish, wet looking scab (this is healing tissue).  After 2 days, the swelling and redness should slowly diminish.  If, instead, there is increased redness, increased swelling, or pus, please contact either myself or your pediatrician immediately.  The whole healing process usually occurs over a one week period.  During the healing period, clean the circumcision as you would the remainder of his body—with warm water and mild soap.

If stool should get on the circumcision site, gently remove it with a wet, clean wash cloth.

It is normal for the moist skin from the shaft of the penis to adhere to the rim (corona) of the penis after the circumcision (called penile adhesions).  It can be prevented by gently pulling back on the skin of the shaft of the penis, and applying Vaseline around the corona during the one-week healing period.  However, even if adhesions occur, do not be concerned.  The adhesions will go away naturally as your child grows older.