What are circumcision and tongue-tie?
Forest Pediatrics offers both circumcision and tongue-tie repair procedures in-office for infants soon after birth.
Circumcision
Circumcision is a minimally invasive procedure to remove the foreskin that covers the head of the penis. There’s generally no medical reason for circumcision. This procedure is elective - you may choose it for your infant son for hygiene, cultural, or religious reasons.
Tongue-tie
Tongue-tie describes a tongue condition present at birth. Under the tongue is a thick band of tissue that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth. When this tissue band is very thick, overly tight, or unusually short, it can limit your child’s tongue movements.
Tongue-tie can interfere with your child’s ability to breastfeed as an infant and can also cause issues with their ability to eventually eat solid foods, swallow, and speak.
What’s involved in circumcision or tongue-tie repair?
The procedures to complete a circumcision or repair a tongue-tie are minimally invasive and take just a few minutes. Dr. Fershtman offers them in-office for your convenience, and neither procedure requires post-op care.
Circumcision surgery
During a circumcision, Dr. Fershtman provides an anesthetic to keep your baby comfortable before surgically removing the foreskin. He applies a clean dressing over the area to prevent infection and provides you with information to care for your baby’s penis after circumcision.
Tongue-tie repair surgery
The procedure to repair tongue-tie is known as a frenotomy. Dr. Fershtman uses sterile scissors to snip bands of the tissue and improve movement in your child’s tongue. These tissues contain few nerves or blood vessels, so complications from the procedure are minimal.
When should I schedule a circumcision or tongue-tie repair?
The decision to circumcise your infant son is yours to make. If you have any questions or concerns, you can speak directly with Dr. Fershtman.
If your child struggles to breastfeed or appears to have discomfort because of tongue-tie, Dr. Fershtman examines the tissue and determines if treatment is necessary. As not all cases of tongue-tie require treatment, he can help you decide if a frenotomy will resolve these issues.
To find out more about in-office circumcision or tongue-tie repair procedures, call Forest Pediatrics, or book an appointment online today.
