Doctor retracted but thinking he might have already been retractable without me knowing?!

[Attached2Elijah]

Today we had a urology appointment because my son has an inguinal hernia. He's 7 years old and the last time I asked him (which admittedly was a long time ago...probably 6 months ago but I did notice the beginning of seperation quite some time ago) he was unable to retract his foreskin... Well, today at the urologist I realize the Doctor is retracting him and quickly jump up and holler "PLEASE Don't DO THAT!"... the Doctor looked at me totally shocked as did DS. I said "please don't do that, he's not retractable yet and I don't want it forced." At which point the doctor looked at me and said "He's fully retractable and I'm checking to make sure the hole is where it should be." I immediately asked DS if it hurt and he said "No mom, not at all." He had the foreskin pulled all the way back and DS was not phased one bit. I asked DS "How long have you been able to do that?" and he answered "A while Mom, I do it all the time." But I wonder if he was just saying this because he saw Mama-Bear come out and sometimes well, she can be pretty scary. He really didn't seem in ANY kind of pain at all when the Doctor did it... but I don't trust the urologists very much after all the horror stories I have heard about them and intact boys. The very first question they asked me when we walked in was whether he was circ'd or not. He did however say that DS was loosening up nicely and there was no issues at all with his foreskin so I guess that's good?

So is it possible that in 6 months he has become fully retractable and I made myself look like a complete moron or should I be upset? If he felt no pain at all... does that likely mean he was already retractable? I feel like such a dunce b/c I didn't know and yelled at the Doctor BUT if it sounds like he is fully retractable, I don't have to worry quite so much about the surgery.

[sapphire_chan]

Isn't asking instead of assuming a good sign?

[Attached2Elijah]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Isn't asking instead of assuming a good sign?

If he was circ'd? That was actually the nurse and after I answered, it wasn't a positive look she gave me... but I didn't get the same feeling from the Doctor at all so I'm still not sure how to feel on the whole thing.

[eepster]

While it does sound like your DS is fully retractable, and that there was no physical damage from what the Dr did, I would feel it was more appropriate for him to ask your DS's permission before doing some thing like that. Not all 7 yo are fully retractable, and many just don't want strangers handling their penises without asking permission.

[Attached2Elijah]

Originally Posted by eepster

While it does sound like your DS is fully retractable, and that there was no physical damage from what the Dr did, I would feel it was more appropriate for him to ask your DS's permission before doing some thing like that. Not all 7 yo are fully retractable, and many just don't want strangers handling their penises without asking permission.

Well, he did ask to look and touch everything before he even asked DS to pull his pants down but you are right, I wish he would have asked DS if he was able to retract first... I would have felt more comfortable had DS answered and surprised me then being surprised the way I was.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by Attached2Elijah

If he was circ'd? That was actually the nurse and after I answered, it wasn't a positive look she gave me... but I didn't get the same feeling from the Doctor at all so I'm still not sure how to feel on the whole thing.

I think I would have responded to the nurse by saying, "Of course not." The doctor should have asked your son to do it I think.

[eclipse]

When my kids' ped needed to check something that was going on with my oldest, she asked him to "pull back his foreskin as far as he could without it hurting" so she could take a look. He was full retractable at a very young age, so it wouldn't have done any damage had she done it herself, but I think it's only respectful to ask the owner of the penis to do it if it needs doing. I'm glad I have a good ped.

[2xy]

I don't really understand why the child's penis was being inspected if he was there for a hernia.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by 2xy

I don't really understand why the child's penis was being inspected if he was there for a hernia.

Since he said he was checking the placement of the meatus (pee hole,) my guess is he thought that the hernia might have been caused by the midline not closing completely in utero.

[Attached2Elijah]

Originally Posted by eepster

Since he said he was checking the placement of the meatus (pee hole,) my guess is he thought that the hernia might have been caused by the midline not closing completely in utero.

Yes, he did explain that to me... just forgot to mention that above. He said the most he would have done if there was resistance was pull it back enough to just be able to see the hole but there was absolutely no resistance and so checked the entire head... I went in there thinking the worst of urologists so I think I jumped on him before I should have... I still think he should have asked DS to do it himself or at least ask if he could but since DS was aware that there would be probing 'down there' as it was that kind of appointment. So I'm not TOO upset about it. I was more concerned with whether he caused DS harm by pulling it back.... but the more I think about it and read, the more I realize he was already retractable and I just didn't know it.

ETA: My ped has actually NEVER retracted DS nor asked him to do it himself. This was a Urologist that was looking at DS penis and everything to make sure everything was as it should be so it's not quite the same as a Pediatrician appointment.