Hello all, I'm new and have lots of questions

[ThatRCGuy]

I have been looking at this forum for a couple of days now, and now I think it's time to ask for direction.

Let me start off by giving a short story about why I'm here. I am 21 years old and about a month ago I just found out I have been circumcised at birth (yes I was that sheltered). I found out one day when my girlfriend asked me a very simple question "have you been circumcised?" (she is in a health class, it wasn't an out of the blue question LOL) not fully knowing what that truly meant, I said no. After a little bit of discussion, I started to realize that my penis seem to be very similar to that of a circumcised one. After I went through denial I connected all the dots and then found out I indeed have a circumcised penis, I became flooded with so many emotions I couldn't even focus on my studies. Through visiting many website I finally came across this one, sadly most of the website I found kept telling how it isn't that bad (but this one I truly find more comforting)

Enough about me, now for the reason why I started this thread. This website is great! it has so much information, unfortunately it has a bit too much (at least right now for me). I've read many threads but there are so many new concepts, terms and references, I'm getting lost in all the details. If someone could maybe point me in the right direction, like important things to consider at this moment (for just finding out the "bad news" and where to go from there).

I guess, what I feel may be important, and a good starting point, would be to figure out what I do have and what I don't have. If someone could help me discover what I have to work with that would be very helpful (I have no idea if I have a tight cut or lose cut, or pretty much anything else). Then the next step is getting started, I think? I have so many questions about that, but I'll save that for another time, one step at a time.

Thank you for your time.

[z726]

By "tight" or "loose" on this forum we're referring to how much skin we've got, rather than how it was cut. Are you able to move yours when you have erections? Some of us have had it tight enough that doing this wasn't possible, and others have had skin loose enough to move over the glans.

Then there are the two different types of tissue on the penis - the skin, and mucosa that would normally be the inner lining of the foreskin. You've probably noticed that the texture and color of the skin changes at some point going up your shaft, right? The inner foreskin is more sensitive and will eventually cling to the glans better than the outer skin as you restore to the point of coverage.

Ask all you want about getting started and how it works. All you really need to consider is how much skin you've got - there are certain devices people have used that require a fair amount of loose skin, but also plenty of methods that are useful if you don't have much. There are also all kinds of ways to go about doing this, whether you tension the skin using your hands, weights, tape, or certain devices. There's a lot of information to take in, but you don't need much to start.

[(CG)]

There is a lot of information out there on the Internet on restoration. I can sympathize with the dilemma you present. When I got started about 3 years ago, I first did a lot of research and a lot of reading, particularly on the benefits of restoring and the various methods by which to accomplish it. Here are some links that you might find helpful. Also, I would GOOGLE "Foreskin Restoration" and that will bring back a whack of articles and other helpful tips.

A good listing of the various FR methods:
http://www.x-mail.net/restore/compare.htm

Free info downloads:
http://www.apollotechonline.com

Basic information from a wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreskin_restoration

A lot of good resources from Ron Low:
http://www.TLCTugger.com/resources.htm

Advice from NORM:
http://www.norm.org/devices.html

All of this is just a start. Prepare to do a lot of reading. Educate yourself. I also think there is a section here on this forum for beginners. Ron, can you direct him to where that is?

Just a bit of advice based on my experience. First, you need to make a decision to restore, and you should think about why you want to do it. It takes a long time, and it will take persistence and commitment. Second, you need to get started. A journey of a thousand miles always starts with a single step. If you were cut tightly (as I was) you might consider first "cross-taping" and then moving to the "canister method." Once you have some slack skin and a little progress with these methods, you should be able to advance to a tapeless device such as the TLC Tugger, the TLC-X, or the DTR. You will have to experiment a bit and see what works for you. Critical here is how a method fits into your lifestyle and whether it is easy, convenient, and comfortable. You can enter "cross-taping" and "canister method" into GOOGLE and get back descriptions on these as well. I have found GOOGLE to be a great friend in terms of finding good information. Then, of course, join the discussion on the forum! Most of the guys here are always pleased to help out.

Welcome aboard.

(CG)

[ThatRCGuy]

Well I did some more researching about what I have to work with. First thing I did was find out what CI-# I was (well actually I had to find out what that was first) anyways I think it's safe to say that I'm a CI-2 almost a 3 but not quite a 3.

Next, in the process of finding that out, I learned that I have an intact frenulum. I'm not sure if that makes any difference, just something I observed.

I do see a difference in skin texture and color right after the scar; I believe that is the mucosa, right? So I pulled out the ruler and did a quick measurement (not sure if I needed to or not, but I did it anyways) when erect the mucosa is about 1 inch not stretching the skin and about 2 inches when I pull the skin tight. The range of total motion I would estimate to be about 2 and a half inches or so (going all the way down to all the way up, if that makes any sense at all). And if I stretch the skin as far as it will go it will just make it up onto the glans when erect.

The reason why I want to do this is because I feel very violated and almost not a man. For 21 years of my life I thought that's what a penis is suppose to be like, but now I have learned that I was lied to all these years. Now knowing the truth, all I can think about are the limitations that were brought upon me (without my consent), the lack of sensation, the dry glans, the ugly scar; I can only fantasize what it actually like to have a real penis.

But I'm keeping my head up high and I'm going to work my way to get my penis back, I am determine, I want my penis that I never had (hopefully I can remain this determine throughout the whole process). Also I want to do this because I've read, on many accounts, that my girlfriend will also enjoy a real penis more (I like to give her the best that I can).

[admin]

I also think there is a section here on this forum for beginners.

I guess look in Welcome Center http://foreskin-restoration.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3. But it's only as thorough as we have made it. There you'll find the Glossary and some other definitional stuff.

[freddys]

Hello ThatRCGuy,
Welcome! And we are glad to see you ready to take your future in your own hands.
You probably have enough skin mobility to use the devices that are commonly available, or to make your own version, but it would be a good idea to check carefully at each one, to get the one with which you will be most comfortable. In the mean time, do consider manual methods. Check the Beginner's Guide to Restoration at www.RestoringForeskin.org. It does not cost anything, it will easily get you started, and it works. Actually, all methods work on the same principle which is to induce cell mitosis in response to tension, but some methods are more convenient to include in your routine.
Non-surgical restoration is a slow process: you have to think in term of years, depending on how much new skin you want. Once you start, improvements happen constantly, not only physical in terms of enhanced pleasure, but also psychological, in taking charge of your own body.
We all wish you the best in your endeavors.
Best regards,
freddys.

[ThatRCGuy]

I want to say thanks to all that respond and for the links provided. I've learned a great deal these past couple of days, I think I am mentally ready to begin now. I've started my tugging, and hopefully I can make it into a habit. I have even made myself an excel spread sheet to help me keep on track and mark my progress. Thanks again to everyone.

[FalseReality]

Hello, and yes I can relate I was sheltered as well. It isn't like my parents came and told me "honey we had part of your peewee chopped off when you where born". And all of my friends where circumcised as well. I didn't really care for porn much, certainly not with a man in it. So I was 18 when I learned the truth, went through the same stages as you. First it was denial, I was like oh nah I must have a really short foreskin, or maybe because I was able to force it over well flaccid (something I did that I found fun to do when I was little, I had no idea how serious it was, and that was the way it was supposed to be). It really struck me when I saw a circumcised penis that looked exactly like mine with the little bunch of excess skin and everything on google images. Then I really started remembering the brown ring and all that, I was like no it can't be, how, my parents wouldn't do that...

Took me 2 full years to start taking restoration seriously, it is good that you saw the need to restore almost instantly.

[ThatRCGuy]

Took me 2 full years to start taking restoration seriously, it is good that you saw the need to restore almost instantly.

yep I realized that the longer I wait the longer it's going to take, also I really have nothing to lose just everything to gain.

Even before I realized, I noticed that something wasn't quite right. Like sometimes I couldn't really feel anything and I would have to put my full attention on it and imagine how great this is suppose to feel (it's all mental). I just thought that's what everyone has to do, so I never really looked into it.

[4Foreskin]

ThatRCGuy,
Welcome to the forum and the world of FR.

I hope you reach your goals. I wish I had known about FR as young as you are. I may have been done long ago by now.

Take care and happy gains,

[ThatRCGuy]

Thank you 4foreskin for the welcome.

I don't know why but your comment made me feel really good inside (I kind of feel special now) like this is what I need to be doing and not something to be putting off.

How far along are you 4foreskin?

[4Foreskin]

ThatRCGuy,
I hope I can help. I was 45 when I started. I found out FR was possible, did a lot of reading for about a week, and started manual techniques that week. With in a couple of months I moved to the TLC Tugger.

I have been consistant and steady at FR for three years now and I have gone from CI1 to CI3+. I am still waiting for a consistant CI4 roll over. It has taken a lot of effort, but I am determined to get to CI8.

I must also admit the my erect and flacid length has increased by 1/2 inch during that time. :) This is great, but has the result of not making FR gains as rapid. :(

I hope this helps. Good luck and happy gains,

[twalsh341]

4Forskin, your determination is great. I just started too and am excited about it. I wasn't cut as tight as CI1 but wouldn't another 1/2" be great! More tugging time I know, but worthwhile all the same.

[Jamie]

4Forskin, your determination is great. I just started too and am excited about it. I wasn't cut as tight as CI1 but wouldn't another 1/2" be great! More tugging time I know, but worthwhile all the same.

Good luck mate, you are one of many in the present and the future. It's nice to know others are starting out like I am.