The Harley Street Experience

"I was born in 1955 in Sussex. No-one in my family had been circumcised and the topic was never raised by my parents or my younger brother. I learned about circumcision from seeing a very few circumcised boys in the (Comprehensive) school changing room or the town pool's changing room. It was mentioned in sex education which was part of the biology syllabus and also in R.E.

I had wanted to be circumcised from the age of about 12 after my best friend on our walk home from school said that he had been done at 8 and was very positive and impressed by his new look, although I was not invited to take a peek! I tallied up the pros and cons and struggled to think of even one disadvantage except that I might be self-conscious with my new look, especially as it was so rare. I did not feel that I could ask my parents for a circumcision.

Years later I read a few copies of Forum magazine which some other boy at my sixth form boarding school had. There was a very useful and interesting article about circumcision which concluded with a list of circumcisers which included Dr Newill of Harley Street. I was not in a position to get cut at the age of 17-18, but at the age of 21 I duly phoned his receptionist. It was a surreal experience speaking to a female about wanting to be circumcised as an adult. She was the first person that I had ever spoken to about my wish to be cirumcised. She asked me where I had heard about Dr Newill, whether I had any medical reasons for getting circumcised, whether I had spoken to a GP, and posed general other health questions. All very 'matter of fact' on her part, but a very new experience for me! What I had not expected was that she said I should take some anti-erection pills and that she would post me a prescription. Finally she offered me a date for the consultation which would be combined with the operation if I still wished to go ahead. She finished by saying that Dr Newill was very experienced and had done lots of circumcisions on adults, and asked if anyone was going to be with me and drive me home. I said that I would travel on the train.

On the appointed day, I went into this grand house in Harley Street and checked in with the female receptionist who was rather attractive and I sat in a comfy and very luxurious waiting room (on my own) with posh magazines (Country Life, Horse and Hound). After a while I was told by her to go up a floor to his consulting room. I fleetingly thought that the next time the pretty receptionist saw me, I would be circumcised and she would know it!

Dr Newill held a consultation at his desk and he asked why I wanted to be circumcised and would I sign a consent form or did I need to go away and think about it! Of course I confirmed that I wanted to be circumcised there and then - I had waited about 9 or 10 years to get this done as it was. I paid his fee by cheque (£35) and was directed to a medical couch and asked to remove shoes and drop down trousers and pants. He worked alone, first injecting anaesthetic at 3 or 4 points around the base of the penis. There was quite a long wait while it took effect. What does one talk about! He then marked the intended cut line with a purple marker pen. I was intrigued to notice that there was a small mirror fixed to the wall in line with the crotch area and was told by my circumciser that I could view progress if I wanted to! I declined but in hindsight I wish I had taken up the offer as it would have been interesting.There was no discussion on styles which I knew nothing about. I was cut low and loose with frenulum retained.

He did not mention frenulum removal was an option so that is still in place. He had been an army doctor but would have trained at a civilian teaching hospital in the 1930s probably. He mentioned that he circumcised quite a few officers and soldiers in the western desert in WW2, presumably for medical reasons or hygiene reasons in the sandy environment? Sand trapped under a foreskin is said to be irritating and painful.

My circ has some skin bunching up when flaccid and sometimes (now that I am older) there is some partial glans coverage when very relaxed, which is not cosmetically as I would wish. My scar is on average 1.5cm behind the sulcus, when hard.

I went home on the train and don't recall the journey being uncomfortable. I pondered for a few minutes on what private doctors do with the removed foreskins? Do any of them offer it back to the patient in a jar of formaldehyde as a souvenir! A strange thought, perhaps arising because of the anaesthetic effects.

I am amazed that so many people posting to sites recommend a week off work afterwards. I just gave myself a 'weekend off'.

Healing had its problems but I am very pleased to have been circumcised.

GM     

Editor's comment. Dr Newill was obviously the go-to person for circumcision back then. We have amother account in our Preference Archives from a regular contributor who was also circumcised by him at around that time.