Complicated...

Honestly, I didn't know that circumcision in Japan could be oh-so-complicated.

Went to San Iku Kai hospital this morning, taking Humaidi to what I thought was going to be his circumcision. It was that simple with Huzaifah when we did it in Malaysia. We got ourselves an appointment first, and on the said day brought him to the medical center, where Ayah took him inside the operation theatre and it was all over in less than half an hour. The doctor gave us some medicine and then we could go back home. Then, the outer skin fell off the bell-hop after 5 days...

Humaidi first met the surgeon who does circumcision about two months back, when we were advised to see the doctor after Humaidi is over 3 months old. He gave us an appointment for today, so I mistakenly thought that Humaidi was going to be circumcised today.

Turned out, it was another consultation session – the surgeon just want to check baby’s condition before giving the go-ahead for the real thing. The nurses took some blood sample (in a different room, but I could hear him howling in protest… poor baby) to determine his blood type and to check for any signs of infections. No circumcision for infected babies or those having flu/cold. No immunization within one month prior to, and after circumcision. Yup – they are that particular.

Next, the surgeon gave me an outline of the schedule. Humaidi will need to be hospitalized for 3 days. On day 1, he will first meet a paediatrician. Only if he is given a clean bill of health, then he could be warded. He will then will have to be x-rayed. Followed by ECG.

Day 2 will be the actual surgery day. It will be a 30 minutes surgery, during which he will be wearing the gas mask. I was surprised by the gas mask part. The surgeon assured me that putting the baby under the gas mask will be a lot safer than just applying local anesthetic. I can be sure that the baby will not be moving around so the surgeon will be able to carry out his work quickly and more efficiently. Oh…

Day 3, he will be discharged if he develops no symptoms of infections. Then he will have to be brought to the hospital in a week’s time for a final check-up by the surgeon.

The surgeon then explained a lot of documents to be signed and to be brought to the hospital on the day Humaidi is to be hospitalized. Agreements on this and that. He advised me to seek some help from Japanese-educated friend to understand the content of all the documents before signing them. Stuff like I understand that allowing my son to go through this procedure involves risks for pain during peeing and as such. I nodded dutifully. Basharan is coming to visit us tomorrow – so he will be my sensei. (But our good friend Mizan will always be our main sensei – in fact I have already named him as point of reference in case of emergency for this time, like I did when I was admitted to give birth to Humaidi)

Will share more of this circumcision adventure next week insya Allah. As it is, Humaidi is scheduled to be hospitalized next Wednesday, and circumcised on Thursday…