 |  | |||||||||||
 |  |  |  | |||||||||
 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From O in Finland
After I have read about Dr Zarifa and his skill from several circumcision pages on the web, I finally decided to contact him for my recircumcision in January 2010. I have done my first circumcisions at the local hospital here in Finland, Aland Islands but I was not satisfied with the results, because the tightness was not what I have expected. I think that can depend on that circumcision is not so usual here in the Fenno-Scandinavia, so the doctors don’t have the experiences, and also don’t want to do the circumcisions so tight because that look doesn’t belong to our culture.
I was very impressed of the professionalism by dr Zarifa. First he describes very exact the operation and also listen to my wishes, he also did a mark how much to cut, but explains that the final tightness he will decide during operation. He also told me that he also should do the scar straighter than it was before, which he also did. Since it was an local anaesthesia, I was awake under the whole circumcision and we had a very good-humoured discussion during the work, about all sorts of things.
He also told me during the operation that it was possible to do the circ even tighter if I wanted, and I approved that, because that was what I really wanted. I felt no pain at all during operation and it was very fast over, dr Zarifa told me he has done maybe 4000 – 5000 circumcisions during over 20 years so everyone understands, that he is very competent.
After about one hour or two after circumcision I felt small pain from the scar but I took a painkiller and after that I didnīt feel anything. Me and my partner went to an musical at the same evening (about 5 hours after the op.) and that was no problem at all.
The healing went very well and after about 10-12 days some the stitches began to fall off, I had to cut away some which have started to irritate a little to help the healing process.
Now after 4 weeks everything looks very great with almost a complete healing (can now only feel some very small undulations around the scar) and the tightness looks to turn out exactly to what I wanted, tight with almost no skin movement, just maybe some millimeter, when erected. My glans is also totally exposed now when flaccid and that was also what I wanted, I have what some people call a grower penis so the circ has to be very tight to get the glans exposed when soft.
So I can really recommend dr Zarifa to do your circumcision and re-circumcision, he is very professional, skilled and easy to talk with.
From HT London
I wanted to write to express my sincere appreciation for the care
and professionalism shown to me during my recent visit to your clinic.
After careful and considerate consultation, Dr Zarifa performed a re-do circumcision including frenulum removal. I must say that I am absolutely delighted with the result. Dr Zarifa is clearly extremely skilled, and his knowledge and experience has enabled him to produce what is in my opinion an absolutely optimal aesthetic outcome.
Thank you very much indeed.
From JP Sweden
Dear Dr. Zarifa,
I just wanted to tell you that everything has gone very well with my operation 13 January.
I haven't had any problems whatsoever. The healing has gone faster than you told me as well everything else. Now three weeks after the swelling is practically all gone and all looks fine!
I want to thank you for an entirely pleasant encounter in your
practice.
From GR in Kent
It is now three months since the procedure and I wanted to say that it has been completely trouble free. On the initial consultation with Dr Zarifa I had lots of questions and he said to me that it would not be as big a deal as I was fearing. He also said that pain would not be an issue and having read various accounts of people being on pain killers and not being able to walk, I was not sure, but decided to go for the procedure anyway.
In the event he was absolutely right: I had very little discomfort and certainly no pain: I could have gone back to work the same afternoon had I needed to do so. The various potential complications that Dr Zarifa warned me of did not materialise, except for a little bit of swelling on one side that has taken a long time to settle down, but the discomfort has been minimal.
Dr Zarifa is highly professional in his approach: indeed he said that he could not tell me to come to him: I had to make up my own mind. I just wanted to reinforce the comments of others that he can be highly recommended - the procedure is not uncomfortable at all, and the after effects were for me very minor indeed.
From JT: South East England
It is now exactly 4 weeks since I rang you and asked for an appointment that day for my circumcision so I thought I would write and let you know how things are going. If you want to add this to your testimonials I am quite happy about that. I am sure there are lots of guys my age who would like to have this operation but are nervous or embarassed because of their age, just as I was, but there is absolutely no need for any of that.
You may remember I had put off having this operation several times through nerves, so it was a great relief to be able to get it done whilst I was in London without having to think about it for days on end. Also as partner had at the last minute put off another appointment that day to come up with me for the sole purpose of driving me home there was no way I could back out. I have to admit I was a bag of nerves when I got to the surgery but in an exciting sort of way because I knew I was going to do what I had wanted for a long time.
Sylvia, you did a fantastic job of putting me at ease in the reception area and when I was shown into Dr Zarifa's office he did the same thing; almost immediately I started to lose my nervousness. After the very thorough consultation, we went through into the operating room, by this time I was not at all concerned and although I did feel the first injection it was nothing like painful, even though I have a low pain threshold. When Dr Z tested me to make sure everything was anesthetised and showed me the clamps he had attached to my soon to be removed foreskin, I knew it was going to be a painfree experience. Indeed, it was actually enjoyable having a jolly good chat. I truly did not feel a thing and before I knew it, Dr. Z was showing me the redundant skin. I didn't even know he had started the operation so that in itself says it all. Many years of putting it off through fear of pain were a waste of time. As I said to Dr Z, it seemed so easy because he is an expert at it, and quite frankly, if you want things done properly it pays to see experts.
Anyhow I was quickly stitched and bandaged up and after passing water I was on my way home. There was a bit of throbbing for a few hours where the injections went in but nothing else to speak of. I did not even need to take a Paracetamol. After a day I did notice a little blood seeping through the bandage from the frenulum area, but after calling Dr Z, who told me to apply more bandage, it stopped after a few hours. When the bandages were removed after 7 days I could see where that area had opened up quite a bit but I was warned this could happen so I decided to be patient and not panic. That gap has now almost closed up (I have taken some photos to give me reference in the future which I am happy to send if it is useful) but there is still some minor swelling which I am sure will soon go and I will be left with a much more attractive and hygenic penis. As Dr Z remarked my foreskin was a bit long and saggy so it is great that it is gone forever.
All in all I am quite delighted with the outcome so far and look forward to the final result. I cannot speak too highly of the professional way in which the whole thing was handled and thoroughly recommend anyone considering this operation to delay no further and book an appointment with you.
Kind regards and many thanks to you and Dr Zarifa.
From: DW in SE
Hi Sylvia, its 14 months since I had the circumcision. Best thing I've ever done.can you pass on my thanks to Dr Zarifa. Thanks.
From: Mr G in Vancover, Canada
It is almost four weeks since my appointment with Dr Zarifa for a recircumcision and I would be remiss if I did not write to report how pleased and satisfied I already am with the outcome. The opportunity to seek his services was presented because of a scheduled brief visit to London from my home base in Vancouver Canada and I did so because of the strong testimonials on your web site.
From my initial contact with you and my subsequent thorough consultation with Dr Zarifa I was quickly reasured that I had come to the right place. The procedure that followed was completed (from my perspective) in seemingly short order due to the conversation between Dr Zarifa, Pat and myself - at times not lacking in humour!
I experienced no discomfort whatsoever during the procedure and later by the time the anaesthetic had worn off the very slight twinges I experienced lasted only a couple of hours and are hardly worth mentioning.
Since then the sutures came out easily over days 13 -15 and it is clear that given a few more weeks of healing the eventual cosmetic result will be very close to what I sought and was agreed to.
To anyone considering the services of Dr Zarifa and his support team I say do not hesitate- you are unlikely to do better. He is a professional of first rank and clearly dedicated to satisfying his patients.
My thanks and good wishes to Dr Zarifa as well as to Pat and yourself.
From J in Norway
I don't know if you remember me, but my son was circumcised at your surgery on June 2nd . I would like to thank you and Dr. Zarifa for the excellent treatment which we received, having travelled all the way from Norway.
My son was born with "a burried penis," which I first was made aware of by the doctor during the consultation. Thus, the circumcision turned out to be a bit more difficult than what it normally is expected to be. During the first few weeks after the procedure, it could hardly be seen at all, as we had to press it out a couple of times a day ourselves.
We left for Tanzania on June 13th and we are scheduled to return to London on Sunday the 5th of October. We will fly back to Norway on Monday the 6th of October. I'm happy to say that my son's penis is very slowly but surely becoming more visible as days go by. However, I would be tremendously grateful if we could drop by the surgery that Monday morning, so the good doctor could have one last look (just to put a mother's worry to rest:).
PR - West
I'm in my 50s and had been wondering about circumcision for a long time.
Eventually I decided to do something about it - and booked myself into a clinic somewhere else for the operation some 15 months ago. The result was OK - but not as tight as I had wanted and not very neat.
I came to Dr Zarifa at Custom House for a re-do about a year after the original operation as I wanted to see if it could be improved.
Dr Zarifa listened carefully to what I wanted and gave me some good advice about precisely what could be done - apparently re-dos are not as straightforward as first-time circumcisions and Dr Zarifa has a lot of valuable experience with this procedure.
I decided to book myself in overnight at the hotel near the surgery as I didn't fancy fighting my way back home on the tube and trains after the operation. In fact I would probably have been fine as I felt OK enough to go to a local pub for a well-deserved beer that evening!
It is now some 11 weeks since the operation and I'm very pleased with the result. Dr Zarifa tidied-up the previous job as well as giving me a tighter circumcision with a very neat scar line.
The procedure itself was practically painless with just a little discomfort afterwards. The tight dressing they put round the scar afterwards is a bit of a nuisance - but it's only on for a few days and then you can take it off yourself. There was no sign of infection, the swelling around the scar disappeared after a couple of weeks, and it has continued to settle-down over the last couple of months. I expect that in a few months time no-one would ever guess I had had the op so recently.
Like so many guys say, my only regret is not having it done sooner - it feels so much cleaner and in my opinion looks so much better than before. Moreover, if I had gone to Dr Zarifa the first time, it would have saved the inconvenience and expense of having it done twice!
I felt in very safe hands, and let's be honest guys, when it comes to anything to do with 'down there' that's where you want to be!
So, many thanks, Dr Z.
From TM: North England
I was circumcised by Doctor Zarifa in May. It is about 6 weeks since I was circumised for religious reasons, and really I don’t know what all the fuss was about!
My main concern before the operation was the train ride home to Newcastle - I was dreading it! I heard a lot of scare stories from other adult circumcisions, which shows how important it is to get this done properly by someone who knows what he’s doing - and Doctor Zarifa did a great job.
During the operation I was so interested in our discussion I actually forgot I was being circumcised, it was like chatting to a friend! The surgery was quick and easy to reach by Tube from London King’s Cross train station.
The journey home was no problem, the first few days were awkward in terms of moving around, but not painful in the sense of intense or sharp pain. I would advise anyone to make sure you have some very tight underpants on the day of the op and for the next fortnight. I found it useful to relax in the house for a week, but I could have worked if necessary.
Take your time soaking the bandage off. At the time of ‘the unveiling’ it looks a bit brutal, but it settles down slowly but surely. I simply wrapped tissue around for bleeding and support, which can be rinsed off and replaced easily. After about two weeks it’s business as usual and you start to wonder why you were worried!
Thanks again for your help and the comfortable welcome and care I received at Custom House.
From: DW, London
I would really like to thank Dr Zarifa for the way he carried out my circumcision. The procedure was very professionally done in May 2008, that's about 7 weeks ago. Everything is perfectly healed and it is the best thing I've done. I should have done it years ago. I'm 38 years of age. Anybody considering the procedure can phone me if they have any fears or simply questions. I will explain how it was for me. My phone number is 07949 293389. Thanks again Dr Zarifa..
From D in Warwickshire
Dear Dr Zarifa
Generally I am not the most prolific writer of letter, but after my appointment at the Custom House Surgery in June, I felt moved to write to say how grateful I am for all you have done to help me.
When I finally summoned the courage to have my circumcision re-done, I wanted the very best doctor I could find to do it. After a great deal of research I found you, who I consider to be the most experienced surgeon in London and possibly the whole of the UK.
Within ten minutes of conversation with you, I knew I had come to the right man and from the very moment I met you. My nervous and anxious state of mind vanished.
You treated me with the most polite and professional manneer, and showed a genuine interest in my concerns. You certainly are especially blessed with a very caring and down to earth approach to your patients. Anybody who feels nervous about going to be circumcised will surely wonder why they ever they felt that way if they come to you for the operation. During the procedure I felt almost no pain at all. I have certainly had far more pain at the Dentist.
It is now one month since my re-do Circumcision and the end result is excellent.
After leaving the surgery I had no pain, only a little soreness that lasted about a week. Amazing, really I expected more. I found all your staff including Sylvia and Pat very relaxing to be with and once again thank them for their help and understanding I found both of them very knowledgeable in their subject. If anyone of any age wants to be circumcised should ask me for a reference for you, I will gladly give one of the highest order.
I wish you, Pat and Sylvia a long and happy life and thank you once again Dr Zarifa
From TM North of England
I was circumcised by Doctor Zarifa in May.
It is about 6 weeks since I was circumised for religious reasons, and really I don't know what all the fuss was about! My main concern before the operation was the train ride home to the North of England - I was dreading it! I heard a lot of scare stories of other adult circumcisions, which shows how important it is to get this done properly by someone who knows what he's doing - and Doctor Zarifa did a great job. During the operation I was so interested in our discussion I actually forgot I was being circumcised, it was like chatting to a friend! The surgery was quick and easy to reach by Tube from London King's Cross train station.
The journey home was no problem, the first few days were awkward in terms of moving around, but not painful in the sense of intense or sharp pain. I would advise anyone to make sure you have some very tight underpants on the day of the operation and for the next fortnight. I found it useful to relax in the house for a week, but I could have worked if necessary. Take your time soaking the bandage off. At the time of 'the unveiling' it looks a bit brutal, but it settles down slowly but surely. I simply wrapped tissue around for bleeding and support, which can be rinsed off and replaced easily. After about two weeks it's business as usual and you start to wonder why you were worried!
Thanks again for your help and the comfortable welcome and care I received at Custom House.
From GR, Wales
Just a quick message of thanks regarding the circumcision I had a couple of weeks ago.
I am now healing up nicely and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and assistance.
Id be grateful if you could thank Dr Zafira who was superb throughout
From M in Northamptonshire
I write to advise you of my complete satisfaction at the re-do circumcision & frenulum removal that you performed for me.
The sutures dissolved easily, and now [25th September] the scar lines etc have healed beautifully, without any irregular lines or bumps in the skin.
Your advise in removing the frenulm was correct, as now the penis is and looks much cleaner and neater.
I wish that I had found your web page sooner, and would have come to for my 1st circumcision [needed for inability to retract the foreskin easily] as opposed to my local private hospital which charged more money and required me to have a full general aesthetic. After your surgery I drove home and went to work the next day!
From: M in Malta
It is almost three weeks now since Dr Zarifa performed my re-do circumcision. Just a note to tell you that everything is fine, the swelling has gradually subsided, almost all the sutures have dissolved and the result appears to be according to my expetations.
From: CJ - a grandmother, living in England with a daughter and grandson in Sweden. Mrs CJ made arrangements for her grandson to be circumcised at Custom House and wrote:
I am really happy with the way Dr. Zarifa did the operation and would recommend him to anyone who needs his services.
From LT in Milton Keynes
I am a 24 year old Caucasian male, I have always wondered about circumcision but was unsure and worried on how to go about it as you can never be too sure doing research over the internet. After doing much research and visiting some very well known men's health magazine websites I noticed your website came up a few times so I decided to check it out.
After reading the testimonials I decided to go ahead I had my circumcision on the 25 January 2007, I was a bit nervous but Dr Z and his team were great. They put me at ease straight away; being very thorough on what was going to happen in the procedure and aftercare.
I wanted a 'High & Tight circumcision with frenulum removed and this was no problem for Dr Z. It is now 22 February 2007 and I am extremely happy with the result. It looks just how I wanted it to, and I have had no problems whatsoever.
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Custom House for a fantastic and professional experience I am very happy with the result and the service I received and highly recommend Dr Z.
I will be putting some before and after pictures on Google group's circlist website in the next few weeks. If you're interested and want to see the results for your self username is tally121
From DT in South of England
Dr Zarifa carried out a revision circumcision for me a while ago, and the result has proved to be first class in every way.
I was particularly impressed with Dr Zarifa's approachabilty during the consultation, and with the degree of precision he achieved.
I can strongly recommend his services to anyone considering circumcision
From M in Hertfordshire
Just letting you know everything is just fine and all the discomfort has almost gone and the scar is fixing nicely, May I just say that I was so impressed by how you managed to fit me in on such a busy day for you and thank you so much for doing such a good job.
Please pass my special thanks to the doctor who was just outstanding and made me feel so comfortable throughout.
From a Father in SW England
Having read your website and also having contacted your surgery staff for advice before my son's operation, I thought it might be of use to other parents for you to have a letter that you can post onto your 'patients comments' section of your website.
My son (age 10 years) had a retractable, but very tight foreskin (which intermittently tended to get a bit inflamed and which had also on occasions got 'stuck' when retracted). After much debate (and a discussion with him about his feelings on the matter) we decided that we would go ahead and have him circumcised whilst he was still young enough not to be hugely embarrassed by the procedure.
Having taken time to explain things fully to him, he was not in any way frightened of the surgery. During the operation itself he was calm and relaxed, playing on his 'Gameboy' throughout. Post operatively he had no significant discomfort whatsoever (only Calpol Six-Plus was required for analgesia).
Removing the dressing the day after the operation was obviously slightly uncomfortable, however after a good soak in the bath he was able to accomplish this himself (with a bit of parental reassurance). The bruising and swelling all settled within about seven days and the stitches dissolved completely after two weeks. As a keen sportsman he had ten days off sport (although he had been out climbing trees three days after his operation!)
After healing my son has a very pleasing cosmetic result, with a straight scar line and a fully uncovered glans. He has been delighted with the outcome and has said to us that it looks and feels much neater and is much easier to keep clean. He also feels much more relaxed about passing urine (which in retrospect he had found a bit directionally unpredictable whilst he still had a foreskin!)
In summary; he has not been adversely affected in the slightest way by the procedure, nor has he become at all self conscious or embarrassed after it. Prior to the operation he had chosen to keep it a secret from his school friends. However, after his return to school (his operation was done during half term) he has had a full discussion with his friends about his experiences.
He has said to me that his advice to any boy considering whether to have the operation or not; would be 'go for it' - certainly as a parent I feel we made the correct decision and any concerns that I had about my son having it done at this age were completely unfounded.
I would like to thank Dr Zarifa very much indeed for the excellent and neat job that he did and also for the professionalism exhibited by him and all of his staff at Custom House Surgery.
From RW in South East England
Dear Dr Zarifa
I am writing to thank you and your team for the excellent service you have provided. From my initial phone call to your practice through to the surgery itself, you and your team were fantastic. I found the consultation immediately prior to the surgery particularly helpful, understanding how the healing process will progress over the weeks to come.
Thanks once again. With kind regards.
This 'Patients' Comments' page carries some of many appreciative messages received from satisfied patients.
To date Dr Zarifa has had only one complaint. This has resulted in highlighting the issues covered on the detailed information page, along with a full revision of our the information in our aftercare leaflets.
Newest First Why not write or e-mail your experience
Occasionally patients send us quite detailed accounts of their circumcision experiences at Custom House Surgery
'An appointment with Dr Zarifa'
Link to experience of Mr C, South London
Link to experience of Mr P, also of London