Here is a conceptual model of the different decision stages when considering to be circumcised.

The prompting factors could be:

•          Cosmetic - Embarrassed by appearance
•          Medical Reasons- Phimosis- Circumcision is unavoidable- purely a matter of style and functionality.
•          Religious Considerations
•          Peer pressure- An unverbalised emotional desire to conform to group norms
•          Cultural factors – Symbolically displaying kinship in society- similar to scarring and tatooing.
•          A requirement by a lover.
•          A critical incident imprinted on the person as a child, -seeing a younger brother being circumcised.

PHASE 2. INFORMATION GATHERING

This stage is very much a personal and a private pre-decision stage where information is actively gathered. 

Informal information gathering takes place.

Seriously considering the perceived perception of:    

1.      Pain and suffering.
2.     Agreeing to the seemingly inconceivable act of  someone cutting your penis.

 PHASE 3. ACTIVELY MAKING THE DECISION.

A critical stage is reached when the person  emotionally and rationally has to make a decision:

NO- Maybe it is just an erotic fantasy.

• For the moment rejected. Rationally rejected but the issue is not emotionally resolved and will therefore re-surface.
• Permanently disregarded. Complete rational and emotional acceptance of being uncircumcised.

YES - The conflict is resolved. The person now needs to define how to implement the decision ?

PHASE 4. PLANNING THE METHOD

Here the  person has to go public to some degree. The house Doctor is usually first consulted and then others e.g. your friends or a lover. Information gathering is now very much determined by personal needs and the situation the individual finds himself in. If the person is to be ritually (tribally) circumcised he has very little choice re the method and is totally dependant upon the skill of the cutter.

If  the procedure is voluntary the person is in the position to consider various styles of circumcision namely:

1. Low and tight
2. High and tight
3. Low and tight with the cut hidden in the pubic area.
4. Whether to remove the frenum.
5. Subincision and widening of the meatus.

PHASE 5.   FINDING THE PERSON TO DO THE CIRCUMCISION

Usually via the house Doctor.

Who will cut:

1. Traditional Circumcisers: Mohel, Doctor, Urologist
2. Plastic Surgeon
3. A friend.
4. Circlist Member

The ability to discuss the type of cut required with your potential circumciser is crucial in this stage.

A voluntary circumcision is not motivated by functional need but reasons mostly only known by the individual. Bear in mind that the circumcision is for his benefit and enjoyment. It is therefore critical that the type of cut and amount of skin to be removed must be discussed beforehand.  If there is any uncertainty if the requirements will be met, PLEASE consider finding someone else.

At this stage, the socio-cultural situation the individual finds himself will to some extent determine the method  and the emotional connotation that will be attached to the event.  It is in stage 6 and 7  where the individual adds long term meaning to the event.

Your circumciser will give some indication what he prefers.

• No Anaesthetic Used- Usually this procedure is followed when the circumcision is performed as rite of passage. In most Southern African countries it is an event during which the person has to publicly  display his ability to endure pain.  The interaction between pain,  cultural norms and taboo's, has maximum impact during this type of procedure.
• Local Anaesthetic – You can view the process of being circumcised.
• Full Anaesthesia – You simply wake up circumcised. This is the least stressful method.
• Sexual séance session – Circumcised with or without local anaesthetic, with some type of erotic interaction between                                                onlookers present.

THE METHOD USED

Main Cut methods:

•    Freehand – Could result in a ragged cut but makes the frenum removal easy.
•    Tarclamp – Frenum retained. Longwinded healing process.
•    Gomco Clamp - Cut appearance is predictable and the frenum is always retained. Very safe method.

PHASE 7. THE OPERATION

PHASE 8. POST OPERATIVE CARE-  WHAT  YOU CAN EXPECT TO HAPPEN

WEEK 1

Day 2-7

• There might be some discomfort from midnight erections. If required anti-erection medication can be prescribed.
• Your discomfort levels if any will drop drastically by the second day.
• Visible arteries that were tied of during the operation will start to shrink.
• The corona might be oversensitive but this will gradually disappear.

WEEK 2

• Swelling should be considerably down with a more normal skin colour.
• Change from a wet antiseptic lotions will change to a quick drying type (Mercurochrome)  in order to keep the wound dry.
• Day 10 Removal of stitches usually take place. If self dissolving stitches were used, there may be some small marks visible.
• By this stage you might feel a bit  emotionally stressed by the inconvenience and lack of sexual relief. Again this is normal but refrain from any form sexual activity which could stress on the wound.
• Add a handful of salt to the water when bathing. 

WEEK 3

• The bandages should now be off with complete bonding of skin.
• You should be able to masturbate but intercourse should be avoided for another week.
• Some swelling in the wound area might still be present but it will reduce and soften every week.

PHASE 9. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IN THE LONG RUN?

1. Blossoming out of the coronal rim within 4-6 months.
2. A more localised areas of sensitivity. The possible development of a definite G-spot.
3. Depending on the method used a small to quite visible circumcision scar.
4. Many men report that they feel sexually much more confident in sexual situations knowing that they are circumcised.
5. A totally new experience of sex caused by the more direct friction on the coronal rim. It might take slightly longer to reach the critical moment when penile sensitivity increases just prior to orgasm. Once that critical moment has been reached, your coronal sensitivity will be on parr with any uncircumcised man. It only take longer to reach that moment.
6. Disbelief that the procedure was so simple and relatively painless.
7. Stimulated by a new perception of sex a possible willingness to explore other forms of penal modifications.
8. Depending on the amount of sexual activity a small amount of shaft skin stretching will take place.
9. Emotionally much more at ease with your cut status contributing towards a possible improvement in the self-image.
10. Many men opt to have the frenum removed as a final stage of their circumcision.
11. Finding a new balance in life, having resolved the fear of circumcision and enjoying your circumcised state, you can move on with other growth aspects of your life.