DO's vs. MD's when it comes to circ

[cloak]

Are DO's are more likely to be anti-circ than MD's? Just curious as I search for a new doctor. Thanks.

[mamakay]

I'm not sure, but I would imagine so. I'm thinking about finding a good DO, too.

[aja-belly]

my sister in law is a very pro-circ brand spankin new do (who knows nothing about breastfeeding and is going into peds...) and the dr that assaulted my son (against my wishes) then lectured me on locker room things was also a do. BUT the dr we see now is also a do (and *very* anti-circ) and i could not imagine ever bringing my son to anyone else again.

[paminmi]

From my experience in my community, I think all of the docs circumcise regardless of DO or MD. In my work in home care I have opportunity to care for many newborn boys. With the exception of a couple, all have been circumcised, many by DO's.

I know of one DO who talks to parents about not circumcising but she is married to a Jamaican man so that might have something to do with it.

The other DO I have had experience with said to a mom I gave info to and chose not to circumcise, "Oh I am so glad I don't have to do that to him!" When this mom said, "So your boys aren't?" the doc said, "That's another story".

BTW, she has four boys.

[Galatea]

I saw a DO once and she said we had to retract ds every day or he would get adhesions. Idiot.

[cloak]

From the responses I guess there really is no difference. I thought the "whole person" care that I read is a DO's philosophy would mean more of them would favor actually leaving the body whole and not lopping off part of it at birth. I plan on calling a local DO tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

[Velvet005]

DO? : what does that stand for?

[annekevdbroek]

DO = doctor of osteopahtic medicine. My husband is a DO. The schools are different - MD vs. DO. While in 4 years of medical school DOs learn manipulation, similar to what chiropractors do. Most of the education is otherwise very similar to what MDs learn. My husband did his internship, residency, and fellowship with MDs in a regular hospital. His training was exactly the same as the MDs, and he did no manipulation/holistic type training of any sort after medical school.

Some DOs may be more osteopathic/holistic, etc. - but being a DO alone doesn't really indicate anything in particular. Chances are they got the exact same training as the MD you were seeing. Your best bet is to talk to any doctor you are considering to find out their opinions. Their particular medical degree can't be relied on to indicate their beliefs.

[cloak]

I didn't know myself until a few weeks ago. A DO is an osteopathic physician. An MD is an allopathic physician. You can read about DO's at this link.
http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_whatis

[InDaPhunk]

My OB is a DO and he's the one that said "It's the most common cosmetic surgery in the country (implying that he agreed that it wasn't a medical necessity)" then went on to say "but I will say it's better to do it now than to do it when they're older bc it hurts worse, etc etc (what a half-wit)". So I think it's a crapshoot whether or not they'll be intact friendly just as it is with MD's. It varies from person to person.

FYI, the OBs in my town do the circumcisions almost exclusively (including my OB), I think only one ped does them.

[Terpatude]

the Ped practice we went to had a DO and several MDS ALL were very supportive of our non circ stance..I can't say that there was any difference..All doctors in the practice were knowledgable and never tried to retract my son, and no one tried to talk to me about having it done later..in fact, my son was there recently for a scout physical ( he is 13) and one MD was thrilled that DS was intact and commiserated with us about the number of boys who are subjected to it..BTW the MD did not examine my son's penis..he assumed we are quiet capable of taking care of it ourselves.. which we are.... I have found a great practice..