Welcome to the Gentle Procedures Melbourne circumcision clinic. On this page, you will find information about circumcision for baby boys, and we also offer circumcision for boys and men of all ages. Our goal is to make it simple for you to get the info and services you may require.
This page focuses on infant circumcision so please visit the adult circumcision or older boy circumcision pages if you need info on those procedures.
Baby circumcision is commonly done early in the life of your son. Procedures completed in the first four months are considered newborn circumcisions. If you have made the decision to have your son circumcised, it is recommended to proceed as soon as it is convenient for your family.
You can call us at (04) 3253 3446 to confirm our next available appointment at either of our two Melbourne circumcision clinic locations.
Appointments are usually available quickly (within a day of two). We work hard to deliver quality care in a timely fashion. Our experienced medical team will exceed your expectations for quality of circumcision care.
Circumcising Your Infant at Our Melbourne Clinics
We focus on high-quality, safe, and reliable care to ensure that parents and their son have the best possible experience. Over 50,000 circumcisions have been performed using our technique over the last three decades.
For full detail on the Pollock Technique™ circumcision method that will be applied in your son’s circumcision please visit the Our Method page. For information on what to expect during and after a baby circumcision please see below.
Please note that if both parents will not be present for the procedure an absent parent consent form will be required, and our staff can provide you with a copy for signature. If one parent is unable to sign due to being out of state a phone call may be required to confirm consent.
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid all of these for at least 48 hours prior to an infant circumcision:
- Aspirin
- Nurofen
- Voltaren
- All blood thinners including Naproxen, Clexane, etc.
- Alcohol
The Day of the Procedure
Please bring these items with you to the clinic:
- The baby book
- Two big and thick baby blankets for swaddling the baby
- Baby Panadol from the chemist
- Extra nappies
Please let the doctor know if your baby has a high temperature or a cold, or any recent illness, as it might complicate his recovery.
In the case of premature birth, and for any infant under 2 weeks old, please plan for at least an hour of observation after the procedure.
The video has important information about post-circumcision care, including a demonstration of post-procedure swaddling.
Please note that in a small percentage of infants the anatomical structure of the penis means that circumcision is not recommended. If this is the case with your son no fees will be charged.
Quality Care With an Established Method
Gentle Procedures Melbourne was founded by Doctor Hossain Islam, who is known in Victoria as a leading family practitioner as well as for baby circumcision. Our medical team has been carefully trained by Pollock Technique™ originator, Dr. Neil Pollock, and we are proud to use the Pollock Technique™ in providing timely and simple access to infant circumcision in Victoria.
Our doctor and staff will support you after the circumcision surgery with a hotline for questions and detailed instructions on post-circumcision care for your baby son.
Interstate Patients
We are pleased to serve clients from all states and territories. Please see the interstate patient information page, if applicable.
Call Us to Book!
(04) 3253 3446
The Gentle Procedures Clinic Experience
The focused practice of our clinic permits us to optimize the circumcision procedure as well as the overall experience. Having served thousands of babies and families we have developed specialized systems and processes to offer these services better than any other institution.
We will exceed your expectations for quality circumcision care.
The Best Care for Your Baby Boy
You will receive detailed instruction on how to prepare your son for the brief circumcision operation. This includes how to best time feeding before surgery to maximize your baby’s comfort. Babies will have Panadol before and after surgery, and are given a sugary pacifier to distract and entertain them during the procedure. Some babies even sleep through the whole thing.
Circumcised Baby Follow Up
Guidance and follow-up continues afterwards, with written and verbal instructions on how to provide care after the circumcision. The goal is to minimize your child’s discomfort and promote healing. You will be shown how to minimize the risk of infection and informed of warning signs to watch for in case of any complications. Our doctor is available by phone after surgery and will respond quickly to any questions or concerns.
Melbourne Baby Circumcision Clinic FAQ
We have extremely low complication rates and no hospital administration fees are charged. Our clinic is designed to meet the needs of families for infant circumcision. Because of our focus on this procedure we are able to organize our staff and clinic operations optimally for baby circumcision. This makes us different from circumcision providers in greater Melbourne who do not specialize in this service.
Very rarely, more serious bleeding can occur which may require a visit to the hospital. Infection is also a possible complication. It is extremely rare and can be associated with redness, pus, and a foul smell from the circumcision. It is treated by putting Bactroban antibiotic ointment five times a day on the penis which usually resolves any infection within one or two days.
Suboptimal cosmetic result is another possible but very infrequent complication.
A Melbourne Baby Circumcision Clinic
When looking for the best facility for your son’s circumcision, please consider that the techniques for providing this surgery can vary from doctor to doctor. Our Pollock method has been refined and standardized over 50,000 procedures. Your boy will benefit from the highest standard for care and safety available in infant circumcision today.
Hospital Infant Circumcision Procedures
Victoria hospitals do not generally offer baby circumcision for newborns in a convenient and timely way.
Families that desire a circumcision performed for their infant son are generally best served by a dedicated circumcision clinic like Gentle Procedures, in order to get fast and convenient access to services.
Where to Get an Infant Circumcision
Waiting a long time to get an appointment is not a good idea with baby circumcision. It is best to have the procedure as early as is possible in the life of your young son.
Please contact us now with your inquiry and you can book an appointment right away if you like.
You can reach us during clinic hours by phone, or anytime with our Appointment Request Form.
Potential Benefits of Infant Circumcision
Australian parents undertake a circumcision procedure for their son in order to fulfill cultural and religious traditions, as well as to seek improved health outcomes for their children. Some parents decide to circumcise their son for cosmetic and personal reasons. The important thing is to make an informed decision that you will be happy with.
There are many potential benefits from baby circumcision:
Improved genital hygiene
It is well known that microorganisms accumulate under the foreskin which fosters inflammation which can lead to conditions such as balanitis/balanoposthitis (inflammation of the head of the penis). The incidence of balanitis is twice as high as those who are uncircumcised. Smegma, which is a cheesy like secretion, can also accumulate under the foreskin combining with bacteria to produce an offensive odor.
Reduced risk of urinary tract and bladder infections
Because microorganisms can accumulate under and adhere to the foreskin, bacteria have a greater chance of migrating up the urethra causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) especially in infancy. Studies suggest an over 10-fold decrease in risk of urinary tract infection in circumcised infants. UTIs are a potentially painful and dangerous condition as it can result in kidney inflammation and scarring. Studies suggest that the protective effect of circumcision against UTIs when done as a newborn continues into adulthood.
Reduced risk of phimosis after circumcision
Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin becomes so tight that it cannot be pulled back fully, resulting in UTIs, local skin infection, pain when passing urine, retention of urine, kidney stones, and sexual dysfunction. Circumcision eliminates the risk of phimosis, which affects 1 in 10 older boys and men.
Reduced risk of penile cancer
Studies have shown an over 20-fold reduction in the risk of invasive penile cancer which is thought to arise from adherence of high-risk human papillomavirus to the foreskin and smegma causing chronic inflammation and recurrent infections resulting in phimosis. Invasive penile carcinoma is highly associated with a history of phimosis.
Reduced risk of prostate cancer
Uncircumcised men have a 1.6-2.0-fold higher incidence of prostate cancer, which is thought to correspond with a higher chance of sexually transmitted infections resulting in a chronic state of inflammation.
Reduced risk of HIV/AIDS
Circumcision reduced the risk of getting HIV/AIDS by 3-fold during sex with an infected woman. This is because the HIV virus enters through the inner lining of the foreskin which is thin and vulnerable. Ulceration and tearing are also more common in uncircumcised men, adding to the risk of HIV entry.
Reduced cervical cancer in women
Circumcision reduced cervical cancer risk of a man’s female partner by 5.6 times as there is less risk of adherence and colonization of human papillomavirus.
Call Us to Book!
(04) 3253 3446
What are the Risks of Circumcision?
While the circumcision procedure performed on babies at our clinic can be considered routine and low risk, there is always some degree of risk with any surgery. Potential problems include:
Bleeding after circumcision – In 1 in 500 circumcisions there may be some bleeding that is usually stopped with pressure or less commonly with stitches. If a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia is present, then our doctors will need advice from a pediatric hematologist prior to proceeding.
Infection – There is always a possibility that there could be a generalized infection requiring antibiotics after the surgery (1/4000). Serious infections are rare (1/5000).
Concealed penis – When there is a good amount of fat around the penis (pubic fat), the penis may retract inward and increase the chances the penis gets partially buried and requiring medical intervention (1/800).
Meatal stenosis – This is a narrowing of the urethra that may occur after the procedure requiring medical intervention (1/1000).
Phimosis from circumcision – This is a narrowing of the shaft skin opening over the head of the penis requiring medical intervention (1/500)
Trauma resulting in permanent damage to the head of the penis (never in our practice)
Suboptimal cosmetic result (1/500)
More serious complications including death (never in our practice).