And by pink shirt, I mean foreskin. (yikes!)
Most people know that I am not for circumcision, that is, unless you choose it for yourself. I believe that aesthetics, unsubstantiated HIV “prevention”, hygiene, and personal preference are not solid enough arguments (even when strung together) to justify genital mutilation. And I want mine back.
I have looked into it, and there are TONS of different methods and things available to restore one’s foreskin. There is even a society, dedicated to the cause! While I am not willing to undergo surgery, I really think it would be great to regain a part of my body that was taken from me without my permission. Do I think that I can’t live without it? No. But, I do think that if there is a pain-free way of getting it restored, why not give it a shot, right? I mean, it is MINE after all! (well, it WILL be mine)
James didn’t seem to happy about the idea, and insisted that I go and talk to our doctor. Since he wants that, I will make an appointment, but I don’t think that this is really a medical thing. The procedures are practically the same thing a body piercer would do in conjunction with you to stretch your ears, or any other piercing site. People have stretched ears, and it was not done by a doctor; it is a body modification. In the case of the foreskin, it is restoring the body to its original state. It is stretching the skin so that it will be like it was, or like it should have been, that is, if it wasn’t hacked off when I was a wee little thing. This is something private, that I kind of want for myself; that poses no real harm if I do it (I know how to keep my body clean; trust me).
I am still contemplating it, mainly because of the time commitment, but I seriously think that this would be a pretty cool thing to have foreskin. Just based on the fact that it would make things more sensitive, as well as the fact that it would give me back what was taken from me without my permission, I think that this idea is a good one. I don’t necessarily have a time line in mind of when said “restoration” would begin and end, but it is definitely a thought mulling around in my brain.
Now, if you are wondering what got me thinking about this in particular, it was two things. First of all, fellow blogger Joel sent me this article, in which the author likens the removal of the foreskin to the removal of cataracts. I wholeheartedly disagree, mainly because the foreskin is something that every boy is born with, and it is not a disease that causes harm to the body. And second, to build on that, a colleague of mine got into a discussion about it yesterday (good timing, huh?), who insisted that it was a good idea because of hygienic reasons, to which I promptly reminded him that you can just keep it clean instead of hacking it off. Can you imaging sewing up your asshole because shit comes out? Exactly! You learn to wipe your ass! So, that is where this whole thing it came from.
But don’t think that I made this decision (I haven’t ordered anything yet) without giving this a lot of thought; I have. I would say that I have actually given this a fair amount of thought for over a year, and this instance of discussing it just pushed it to the front of my brain.
I am interested to see what ya’ll think… I mean, not so much about me restoring my foreskin, because, well, I don’t want everyone actively thinking so much about my penis; but just the idea of the restoration itself? I personally see it as a way to do something for yourself that is totally attainable, if you should want to do it. Body modification/restoration. Nothing invasive, and nothing that would cause any harm. In fact, it wouldn’t even be a big deal if you didn’t know I did it. Right?
I have a very interesting “Bullshit!” on circumcision if you want to see it.
Do it if you want to do it but I seriously question your true motives behind it. Maybe you should talk to your shrink about it?
joey, I’ve seen it. Several times. I love that show, too.
dave, what are you talking about? Seriously?
I’m no psychologists (in unison everyone, “NO SHIT”), but I couldn’t help thinking that you only want this because of your strong feelings on circumcision and ultimately to make a point in support of those feelings.
It doesn’t seem like you’re doing it for the same reasons someone gets pierced or inked.
I don’t know… just my initial reaction.
Actually, my initial reaction was, “whatever you want to do to yourself weirdo” but I knew that wouldn’t be a constructive comment.
I see where you are coming from, but honestly, I want it for totally superficial reasons; I have heard that it makes your dick a lot more sensitive, and I think that uncut cocks are attractive. Maybe that stuff is deep down in there, but I don’t know.
I agree.. Uncut is prettier
I’m curious (and not looking it up while I’m at work) how could foreskin restoration increase the sensitivity? I could understand it being more sensitive if you had never been circumcised, but how do they achieve that through the restoration process?
When you stretch the skin back over the glans, it becomes more sensitive over time, because it is internal again. It makes it shiny too!!
If it is covered by foreskin all the time that you’re wearing clothes and it’s not rubbing against your underwear or jeans(depending on how you roll) all the time, when it comes out of its protective skin for masterbation or sex, it will be more sensitive to that contact.
excellent… I think I’ll keep Little Elvis just the way he is.
I’m no stickler for spelling but how come no one seems to know how to spell mastUrbation?
I think it is a very interesting topic…..I agree entirely with Duane that circumcision is genital mutilation. No other words for it and as an uncut guy I can tell you I am very attached to my foreskin, however I am wondering how successful in the long term how non surgical restoration is.
Oh and Duane…before and after pics please.
Seems to me it’s a matter of personal choice, for each individual to decide for himself. If it’s what is right for you, then it’s nobody else’s concern.
Woah Amber! Decide for yourself? That sounds an awful lot like individualism! Shouldn’t the government decide if and when we get our foreskin removed or restored?
Between the tattoos, the piercings, and now this restoration, you really are way deep into self-mutilation. I wonder what your therapist thinks of this. My knee-jerk reaction to this is you need professional help on this issue. My untrained take is you get bored with yourself and low on self respect and whammo a tattoo update and then oh boy a new turtle neck for little Duane, as if you were updating living room furniture.
I am utterly against the pain of self mutilation. I have one piercing, and I won’t take it out because of the pain I went through getting it. I would never get pierced again, even if you paid for it. The tattoos are something that I find aesthetically pleasing, I would love to be able to get one without the pain. That would be awesome, but you have to suffer to get it; I would have definitely avoided it if I could. NO ONE likes getting tattooed. As for the restoration process, it is supposedly painless, as it is done over a long period of time, with gentle tugging. It isn’t like I am going to hook up my foreskin to a machine and then run backwards.
I am about as into self mutilation, as I am into shit eating; I’M NOT.
It may just be my interpretation, but your tone sounds “angry” that you were circumcised as an infant. Many parents of that day/time did it because they didn’t know any different. In America, it was (and still is for the most part) the norm.
I believe it’s a personal choice, but if I were thinking about doing something like this to myself I would have to take into my partner’s concerns/wishes too. It is untimately your body and decision, but it will affect his life too.
Well, I think I have had too much information for one day! Personally, I think you should do what makes you happy. Although I am not one for surgical procedures unless they are absolutely necessary. Hospitals are scary!
I have no idea what to make of that. However, I can applaud anyone who has what seems to me to be a ridiculous amount of passion about something that I haven’t given much thought toward, as, in turn, I have absurd levels of enthusiasm for things a lot of people don’t care about.
Is this “au naturale” for males? Or if we don’t shave our faces, is that already “au naturale”?
Funny how you always want you haven’t got (or don’t want what you have).
Personally I think that cut is more attractive, but uncut is probably more fun. I’ve seen very few ugly cut ones but lots of hideous misshapen intact.
I think you should not mix a quote from my favorite movie with talk about your penis – that movie is ruined for me now….
“I am utterly against the pain of self mutilation. I have one piercing…pain. I would never get pierced again…The tattoos…pain. …you have to suffer to get it…I am about as into self mutilation, as I am into shit eating; I’M NOT.”
That’s like an addict saying he doesn’t like drugs.
You have a pattern of behavior: you are a serial self-mutilator.
Honestly now:
(1) are each of the three mutilations (1 proposed, 2 done) related to your sexual self-concept?
(2) Do *you* believe that each of these 3 acts has or will increase or improve your sexuality (mentally, your image, not physically)–either in your mind or that of your partner?
I would find it very interesting, and more than coincidence, if the answer either is yes.
My vote (your penis has become a democracy) is to put it off, not do it, and instead focus on what motivation inside you wants to do this. Poor thing. I hope things work out for you.
Doug, keep in mind I said NON-surgical. I won’t get surgery for ANYTHING unless it is 100% necessary.
Justin, I would say that it is “au naturale”, because we are born with it. The circumcised penis is a modified one; to have the foreskin back would be to restore it to its original state.
Bugboy, I think that you are confusing two words: mutilation and modification. I have never said anything to the contrary that I have modified my body in certain ways that you have identified, but I have not mutilated my body in any way. Additionally, none of my modifications were self inflicted. The definition of mutilation is this:
By getting tattooed or pierced, you are not taking away anything, you are adding things for aesthetic reasons, and nothing is made “imperfect” by that modification.
Additionally, with regards to both of your questions, you pose them as if I am a sexually deviant person because I want to have my foreskin restored, and you attribute my one piercing and my tattoos to some sort of sexual self concept, when neither is accurate. I got my tattoos because I like the way they look. I like tattoos on other people too. Did I get them to make feel sexier? No. Did I get my tongue pierced because I wanted to feel sexier? Again, no. Do I want to restore my foreskin because it will make me feel sexier? Obviously no, because James isn’t too into the whole idea, mainly because he is not too knowledgeable about the process, and is therefore concerned about my well being and the state things will be in after said restoration.
Finally, I find it sort of strange that your tone in your comments about this whole thing indicate that you feel that something is wrong with me for wanting this, and therefore, you feel the need to bestow sympathy or concern because of it. If you take away nothing else for this, please understand this; because I want something that was taken from me without my permission, it doesn’t indicate sexual deviancy. You are entitled to your opinion, but please don’t confuse mutilation and modification, at least not when describing things that I have done, in order to define me as a “sexual deviant”.
I don’t really have an opinion. I also don’t have a penis and am part-Jewish, fwiw.
Oh, and you made Creative Loafing.
LOL, apparently, my cock is hot news! This doesn’t mean that pictures will ever follow, though.
Before and After pictures!!! It’s a must! Girls do it all the time with their breasts. Come on, Duane.
And I support your little guy wearing a turtleneck…Go for it. But if it looks like a wizard’s sleeve don’t cry about it:)
“to injure, disfigure, or make imperfect by removing or irreparably damaging parts”
Your skin is damaged, injured, disfigured, and imperfect.
“you pose them as if I am a sexually deviant person”
Not my intent, and I don’t think that about you. So please don’t read that into my words. I do think you have issues with all of these things, but I wouldn’t call you a deviant by any stretch.
“Can you imaging sewing up your asshole because shit comes out?” Bwahahahahahaha!!!
Girl, you crack me up.
Duane,
I think every man should have a choice on whether they want to be circumcised or not. I think you should go for it and help educate parents along the way about the harm of cirucmcision.
circumcision has no medical reason..I think the idea is very cultural..it is both alright to be circumcised or not..
Well, it is your choice to get your foreskin restored..but what about hygiene??I know you have considered this..just think about it again..
I have been restoring for over a year now. I can tell you that you might as well do it, because it obviously bothers you to be cut and that will never change, however restoring will provide you with a sense of control over the most intimate part of your body and most likely you will be happier with a foreskin. I have no regrets about restoring I just wish that I had starter earlier. The process is very safe, but can take several years. Choose your doctor carefully as many doctors are ignorant of restoration and feel that a man that wants a natural penis is insane. Nevertheless, an increasing number of doctors are becoming supportive of foreskin restoration and some will be very supportive of your efforts. Good luck and remember, this is for you and no one else and I don’t think that is asking very much.
BTW, a man dosen’t restore because he is insane. He restores because he thinks and the act of thinking seems to be in short supply these days.
Go for it!
jeff