Foreskin Restoration

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Doctors Opposing Circumcision approves of foreskin restoration.

We recognize that an important part of the body has been lost, and that it is perfectly reasonable to want to attempt to restore both form and function as much as possible. We recognize that a support person is important during the process. We recognize that many doctors fail to support men who ask for help during this process. Indeed, they often ridicule them. We assert that this is inferior medical care. However, since the doctors are victims themselves, it is to be expected. Medical doctors are not trained in foreskin restoration, so a medical doctor is likely to be of little help to a man who wants to restore his foreskin. We recommend that men who wish to restore not consult a doctor until they are certain that he or she will be supportive, and knowledgeable.

Foreskin restoration may offer psychological or emotional benefits for some males.¹

Foreskin restoration may be done by surgical grafting of tissue from another part of the body² or it may be done by tissue expansion of residual penile skin.³ Surgical restoration has not proved to be satisfactory and DOC recommends surgical restoration be avoided.

We recommend stretching techniques, rather than surgery, which may include grafts. Stretching causes permanent tissue expansion gradually over time.

Foreskin restoration by tissue expansion was known in ancient times⁴ but the technique was lost. It was rediscovered about 25 years ago.³ Tissue expansion is used by plastic surgeons in restorative surgery.⁵ It is also used by lay restorers. Foreskin restoration by tissue expansion is inexpensive, safe, and becoming increasingly popular. Some women now are demanding that their husbands restore.

There are several good sources of information about foreskin restoration on the Internet. We recommend:

• National Organization of Restoring Men
• CIRP Foreskin Restoration
• NORM-UK Foreskin Restoration
• Infocirc Non-Surgical Foreskin Restoration
• Foreskin Restoration Chat
• Foreskin Restoration — A Growing Movement

References

1. Boyle GJ, Goldman R, Svoboda JS, Fernandez E. Male circumcision: pain, trauma and psychosexual sequelae. J Health Psychol 2002;7(3):329-43.
2. Greer DM, Mohl PC, Sheley KA. A technique for foreskin reconstruction and some preliminary results. J Sex Res 1982;18(4):324-30.
3. Jim Bigelow, PhD. Uncircumcising: undoing the effects of an ancient practice in a modern world. Mothering 1994;Summer:56-61.
4. Schultheiss D, Truss MC, Stief CG, Jonas U. Uncircumcision: a historical review of preputial restoration. Plast Reconstr Surg 1998;101(7):1990-8.
5. Radovan C. Tissue expansion in soft-tissue reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 1984;74(4):482-92.