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Rip-off circumcision clinics shine harsh light on medical ethics

51 Comments

Okay fellas, here's some good news: If you're worried or embarrassed over the hand nature dealt your reproductive member, those concerns may be for nought.

In all but the worst conditions, Dr Koichi Nagao, a lecturer in urology at Toho University Hospital, tells Weekly Playboy (Aug 1), the problems can be managed through proper hygiene with no surgery required. The most common concerns appear to be related to "sanitary matters" or fears of developing a disease, which in either case can be dealt with by retracting the foreskin and washing the glans thoroughly. That, by the way, may also help reduce oversensitivity that may be a cause of premature ejaculation.

The problem, however, is that a lot of young guys are in the dark over this condition, and fall prey to unethical clip joints that charge an arm and a leg to remove their foreskin.

Over five years from 2011, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has received 1,092 complaints from men who had undergone elective surgery. But considering that other victims were likely to be too ashamed to go public with their problem, that number might just be the tip of the iceberg.

The center conducted a survey of 150 males who had undergone circumcisions at clinics over the previous three years. Some 40% of patients said they still had concerns or dissatisfactions, among which were that the sutures tore after the operation (10%); persistent pain (10%); cramping (8.7%); swelling (8.7%); a strange skin sensation (6.7%); conspicuous scars remaining (6.7%) and so on.

On a page emblazoned with a full frontal photo of Michalangelo's David, a 20-year-old male poured out his woes to Weekly Playboy.

"The clinic advertised a procedure for 70,000 to 100,000 yen," he relates. "I told them I was okay with paying up to 100,000 yen. But they dissuaded me from a 'cheap' procedure and I wound up signing a contract for 800,000 yen. I underwent surgery the same day. Two weeks later the incision split open, and now I have no sensation at all in the shaft of my penis."

Another man in his 20s who suffered from a botched operation was quoted as saying, "After things got worse, I finally went to a regular hospital and the doctor told me the skin had necrotized."

And this, from a man in his 50s: "I saw an ad claiming it could be done for around 100,000 yen, but the clinical counselor advised additional procedure, and offered to fix me up with a credit firm. They hustled me into going ahead for 1.8 million yen."

The Consumer Affairs Center's survey also examined discrepancies between fees that the patients had expected to pay and what they were actually charged. In 8 cases, patients expecting to pay far less wound up paying 500,000 yen; 21 paid over 500,000 yen; 20 over 1 million yen; and 12 over 1.5 million yen.

This is not to say that affordable help is not available for those with genuine medical problems. Take the condition known as paraphimosis, in which the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis becomes trapped behind the glans. Surgery under the national health insurance scheme costs about 8,000 yen. And when certain other procedures are performed as elective surgery, while costs even at a reputable hospital can run up to 200,000 yen, no other "additional charges" are padded on.

The aforementioned Dr Nagao warns that whatever you do, don't agree to undergo the surgery on the same day you call for a consultation as these clinics are notorious for follow a bait-and-switch technique, first dangling inexpensive basic charges and then pitching enhancements like pricey injections they claim will "boost the size."

From the above, going through with penis surgery might might seem like a risky proposition. Does that mean all men should eschew circumcision, for either medical or esthetic reasons? WP cites another survey by males who sought a trim, of whom 89% said they're glad they went through with it. Among the testimonials from satisfied customers were claims that the reduced sensitivity helped to prolong the sexual act.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

51 Comments
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The aforementioned Dr Nagao warns that whatever you do, don’t agree to undergo the surgery on the same day you call for a consultation as these clinics are notorious for follow a bait-and-switch technique,

Sorry but any guy that goes to any clinic and agrees to be operated on the same day, expensive, cheap, or otherwise, probably should not have the need to use his penis for anything other than taking a pee.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Unless you have a medical problem it's a totally unnecessary procedure.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

But is it really that easy to persuade people to spend 8 times, even 18 times, what they initially thought they would pay? I find that the most incredible part of this story.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Rip-off circumcision

Sounds very painful, who would want one of those?

21 ( +23 / -2 )

I find it laughable that adult circumcision is a thing here and that men are being somehow convinced they need the chop. Seriously? It's a procedure that's been on the decline in developed countries for decades now. I mean, if it ain't broke...Although sounds like some Japanese guys are thinking, "If it ain't broke, let's break it!"

10 ( +12 / -2 )

This story is a tip-off. Don't get your tip-off for a rip-off.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

I have a radical idea: why not charge the quacks responsible for these procedures and send them to jail?

11 ( +13 / -2 )

If these stories are true, why are the clinics still in business? Why haven't the doctors lost their licenses?

9 ( +10 / -1 )

>I have a radical idea: why not charge the quacks responsible for these procedures and send them to jail?

What, and interfere with business?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The title made me wince. "Rip off" and "circumcision" should not be used in the same sentence.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Rip-off circumcision

I might be a sadistic lady, but I confess that I grinned reading the title.

Bring on the downvotes :)

3 ( +7 / -4 )

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one.

These boys need to find more reputable places. Try calling one of the Jewish centers in Tokyo. They can surely find you a good mohel. It is a very fast operation and very easy.

-18 ( +6 / -24 )

Two things come to mind here.

First the men who had these ""operations"" done are clearly idiots & should not be reproducing PERIOD!

Two, the authorities should be checking, charging & arresting these QUACK "doctors" WTF!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one.

I hope you realise that you only hold these views because it's something you've been brought up to believe. It's very unlikely that you would have come to this conclusion on your own, just like most people would never conclude that women would be 'cuter' if their ears were chopped off.

It's really no different than someone from rural China insisting that bound feet are much 'cuter', or someone from Thailand saying that women should extend their necks using metal rings, or people from parts of Africa claiming that female genitals are 'cuter' and more 'satisfying' when they are circumcised. All nonsense in my opinion.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Well, speaking from personal experience, the fact alone that after I pee I don't have residual urine within the folds that messes up my underpants makes me happy I got one. I just think it's easier to maintain overall. As long as the procedure is safe and done in a medical clinic by a professional, I think it should always be left as an option. Think of it like piercings or tattoos. What needs to be outlawed are the very primitive tools to do these types of things, and the cultures that forces these things on people (children).

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

All women know ....

You're on very shaky ground when you claim that every member of any arbitrary group (all women?? really? No.) share any kind of opinion.

Can't say I've ever noticed any difference in satisfaction. And the last thing I would describe a working willy as is 'cute'. Cute it most definitely is not, with or without.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

notagain: That why they advise Parent to have it done to their new born son. But today it is not asked. It is mostly requested if done at all these day.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I never found one less functional or enjoyable than the other, to be honest. It's not like you can't peel back the skin anyway....

Cute it most definitely is not, with or without.

I have to agree with MsDelicious on this one, Cleo. I think they can be really cute!

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Eye of the beholder, Chaos. :-)

The last really cute one I saw was on a toddler.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

ThePBot

Your parents not toilet training you properly is hardly cause for unnecessary medical procedures.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Thanks for the tip!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Oi...This place needs a mohel...

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Think about it, the operation is to remove skin. Vital shin in my opinion for the applicator to perform it,s function at it optimum, so to better the percentage of delivery of baby batter into the cervix. So longer the applicator, the better the deliver of the pay load. So there is advantages and disadvantages and that depends on the giver or the receiver. Removal of the extra shin, hence shortening the applicator which may produce failure so move delivery of more pay load will enhance the percentage of success. The giver will totally enjoy the extra work at the coal face where the receiver would prefer to shorten the percentages and prefer the better of delivery of the baby batter.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one.

What an I'll informed, sweeping statement. You've asked every female on the planet for their opinion have you?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

um....27 of my staff were in 100% agreement.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Another great article from the depths of J tabloid world. They really do pull back the skin on all sorts of nefarious practices and the silliness of plenty of adults here.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one.

What nonsense.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one.

What? So are there stats on this to back up this claim?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

"MsDelicious" continues a vacuous JT posting career established under a range of other usernames.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Okay fellas, here’s some good news: If you’re worried or embarrassed over the hand nature dealt your reproductive member, those concerns may be for nought."

Sorry, but nature gives all men an uncircumcised penis, so unless the opening is talking about being sorry about having been born to parents who decided against circumcision, as if it's a bad thing, then the very opening is problematic. Size is another issue.

I'm glad my parents opted for circumcision in a nation where it was free, and when I was too young to recall it, but I would like to stress I'm only glad about it because we are kind of taught from a young age the myths that it's 'cleaner' and 'looks better', or what have you. I feel sorry for those who feel inferior or unsatisfied if they are not circumsized, and even sorrier if they feel the need to have that rectified. I kind of stop feeling sorry for them when I hear they were so easily suckered... but admit I feel AWFULLY sorry to read words like "split open", "no sensation", and worst of all "necrotised". Ouch!

Guys, love yourselves, no matter what, and for the unfortunate who can ONLY love themselves, it's not because of a foreskin.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Your parents not toilet training you properly is hardly cause for unnecessary medical procedures.

At least now I don't have bacteria and virus stuck up there, unlike someone. It something to think about when someone's going down on you. Haha.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

I'd pay a year's salary rather than be circumcised. Why would I want the most sensitive and pleasurable parts cut off? Plenty of women prefer intact btw, but that wouldn't change my opinion.

Plenty of men circumcised as adults regret it:

Adult film star Rocco Siffredi (the "Italian Stallion") called his decision "catastrophic" and that being intact "you can feel much more fun". http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/02/circumcision/rocco-siffredi-penis-circumcision

Adult film star Erik Rhodes http://erikrhodes.tumblr.com/post/8492704035/hi-erik-have-you-lost-sensitivity-since-you-got "So to answer the question, after getting all that out… yes i do regret it. I should have just looked for other options before letting some crazy a--hole take a knife to my d-ck and yes i have lost sensitivity. It's just not the same."

regular guy Nick Kusturis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAHGFx95D80 "After the circumcision I felt nothing, no sensation at all. I knew something wasn't right, but I just thought if I waited, everything would get back to normal. So I waited, I was in denial for the longest time. One day it just hit me that this was not going to change." (search for "Circumcised at 18" on YouTube to hear his story)

Kim and Pang 2006 (255 men circumcised as adults) http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06646.x "About 6% answered that their s-x lives improved, while 20% reported a worse s-x life after circumcision."

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The PBot

You still seem to be confusing circumcision with good hygiene, rather than good habits = good hygiene.

I'm sorry to hear "someone" in your life has poor personal hygiene. Maybe talking to him would solve the problem?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

In my country, it is free and done a day or two after the baby is born by mid-wives. No pain whatsoever. I can't believe there are licensed doctors who can't handle such a simple and basic operation. I will recommend they go to my country of birth and get some training from the midwifes. 1.5 million yen for an operation that doesn't take up to 10mins to perform. Some people are so dull, one would wonder whether all their brain cells are dead.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

" All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one. "

What??? Where did you get that from? How many women did you interview about that?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Im with MsDelicious on this one. She seems to have a good grasp of the issue and has the situation well in hand.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Unless there's a medical reason I see no point in the 'snip'.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

WilliBJUL. 27, 2016 - 02:08PM JST

" All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one. "

What??? Where did you get that from? How many women did you interview about that?

Certainly just watching too many movies...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't Japanese men get 2nd opinions?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These people who are so worried about hygiene problems associated with having foreskin, here's a bit of advice. WASH YOURSELVES DAILY!

Unless you have a real problem, like tight foreskin, etc, there's no reason to get it cut off. I'll never understand why people would also subject young boys to circumcision for religious reasons, especially without anesthesia. You'd think, humans would have evolved to reject these stupid mumbo-jumbo crap and old wives' tales.

MsDelicious:

All women know that a circumcised penis is much cuter and more satisfying to play with than an uncircumcised one

Yeah, and let's force all girls to have their hoohas mutilated just because men want a guaranteed virgin.

What one does with one's own body is of no concern to anyone else.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

In the states this is usually done right after being born as the doctors always ask if the parents want it done. There is great medical care and usually 99.9999999% no problems. I never heard of one yet. The reason is mostly of a religious nature and reason in many different religions like Jews and Catholics and Christianity. But the one thing to remember as when you get older its real not a good decision unless medically needed to get it done. It can be disfiguring and create serious issues. Don't trim the sausage casing if you do not have too!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"In the states this is usually done right after being born as the doctors always ask if the parents want it done. There is great medical care and usually 99.9999999% no problems."

Not worth the risk even if it is 0.0000001%. Anyway, why do parents have the right to cut bits off a person when that person isn't old enough to give his consent?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

50 years old and all of a sudden this guy wants to get his plumbing clipped!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@don

It can be disfiguring and create serious issues.

No way. Aesthetically beautiful to say the least. You are viewing from the wrong perspective if you think not.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

None have mentioned the reason why its was done originally.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Scoobydoo: Barmitzvah is the reason why

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

RIP off circumcision? Sounds very painfull!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

John-san : Incorrect. It was asked by god of Abraham to do at about the age of 90 to make a covenant with god with the Jews (Those that became or become Jews), and that was passed on as a ritual on the 8th day after birth with boys only.

The Barmitvah is the coming of age for boys at age 13, as they are considered adults. A Batsmitvah is often celebrated for girls of the same age group.

Both the Bar and the Bats are not required by Jewish law, but circumcision is. It is a mitvah which is a law.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

MsDelicious@don't you mean b'rit milah, aka bris?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Genesis 17 also says to circumcise male slaves, but no-one defends slavery any more.

Not all Jewish people believe in infant circumcision. Brit Shalom is an alternative naming ceremony to celebrate the birth of baby boys (and girls) to Jewish families. These are just some of the sites run by Jewish people opposed to infant circumcision:

<www.jewishcircumcision.org> <www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org> <www.circumcision.org> <www.beyondthebris.com> <www.cutthefilm.com> <www.britshalom.info>

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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