12 Days Post-Op Hemorrhoidectomy
Posted , 11 users are following.
Let me tell you, this is a very painful experience. Started in my early 20's, developed some nasty habits that made me feel like I had to poop a lot so I spent a lot of time trying to empty an already empty bowel, recipe for disaster. Instead of getting better, it got worse over time.
After 5-6 years they were beginning to poke out after every bowel movement, and once I figured out they could be pushed back in, they never really bothered me aside from the occasional bleed or flare-up.
Fastforward 8 years later, they have started to poke out on their own, with or without a bowel movement, and pushing them back in no longer works. This is when they start to weigh on your mind and limit your activities, which sucks.
I went to a GI surgeon in August thinking maybe I could get a quick band to treat them (had been too embarassed to tell anyone about them until about this time). She took one look and said these are way too big and that I absolutely must get surgery. I had 3 large internals and 1 large external. The experienced surgeon said they were the biggest she's ever seen.
So I scheduled my surgery for November, took 5 days off of work which included 5 extra weekend/holiday days, so that I would get a full 10 days to recover.
My surgeon showed up about an hour late, so my experience didn't exactly start out with a bang. After awaking post-op I felt zero pain, asked the nurse how it went. They were originally wanting to prescribe me vicodin, however, I asked that my pain medicine and anti-inflammatory could be isolated so that I could take each one appropriately, as needed. I was prescribed oxycodone and instructed to take 3 advil twice a day.
I put on my close and hopped it my car (needed help driving home), and was on my way. Unfortunately about 10 minutes into the drive home I started experiencing unbearable pain centering around my tailbone, and my driver had to go to the Doctor's office first to pick up my script since it was a narcotic, leaving me in agonizing pain for about an hour before I could get any type of relief. As strong as oxycodone is, it only helped dull the pain and in no way elminated it. I am astounded people get prescribed such light pain medicines like Tramadol for pain, seems like a crime to me.
After the 3rd or 4th day, I was finally able to start feeling better pain-wise. But unfortunately the 3 daily colace I was taking was doing nothing for my constipation. I got to the point where on day 7 I had to poop so bad I couldn't even stand up without having involuntary spasms. I would hop in the bathtub several times a day hoping to get anything out, but nothing would happen. It was the most miserable experience of my life to be that backed up and unable to defecate.
After consulting with the surgeon, I started taking Mirilax. The first day it didn't work, but after taking it on day 2 I unleashed the largest, most furious movement anyone has ever seen. I had read online that it really helps to sit in the tub for your first few movements, and believe me when I say they are right. I tried a couple times on the toilet and it caused so much more pain and bleeding. The tub limited the pain and almost eliminated the bleeding.
Since then, life has been much more bearable. I'm back to work 11 days later and I no longer require pain meds but they still help post-bowel movement. I am still leaking from the wound, I can't really tell if it's fecal matter or inflammatory stuff or both but it's gross and hoping that subsides soon. I am very careful to ensure I take 1 Tablespoon of fiber before I eat anything, and also take 3 Colace once a day.
For anyone thinking about getting this surgery, do it, just be prepared for a little battle. I had my moments of regret but at this point if my recovery continues I think I'm going to be so happy that I finally did something about these little ass devils.
2 likes, 17 replies
marsha97458 mike61920
Posted
Just like you mentioned, I had to poke it in for years, then after pregnancy and birth I had one too that wouldn’t go back in. I have dealt with this for a couple years, but I finally threw in the towel when it took me longer to wipe by area that it was to actually use the bathroom. In addition the insecurity’s I had knowing I had this thing sticking out of my butt...
I had a spinal anesthesia, it was great, couldn’t feel a thing. Like you, in the car ride is when it flared up and all I could do was lay the seat back and get in the fetal position crying my eyes out. It took us about an hour to get home, though I was extremely hungry, and had to get the meds too... which by the way is ridiculous, if they know what you are dealing with, why don’t they give you the scripts before the surgery so you don’t have to make stops on your way home. Anyways... I’m not much of a pain pill taker, but I set alarms to go off every 4 hours so I was taking mine like clock work because of the amount of pain I stayed in the first couple days. Now I only take them after a bowl movement since they are so intense. I told my friend I’d rather do child birth all over again. Day 2 the sutures came out... I have to change my underwear 5 times a day, and along with taking the sitz bath 3 times a day, I take at least 2 showers a day.
Here I am day 5, a single mother on a Saturday... first day with the kid by myself, and after the BM I had to call family to come help. Literally in tears during and afterwards. I surely hope I made the right decision, however mine were external yet see more now than I did before surgery...
I see you posted this 2 Year’s ago, how are they now?
getoutofhere marsha97458
Posted
I am scheduled for surgery to have internal hemmorhoids removed and trying to find out of internal ones would be less painful as the wounds would be on inside rather than outside! Absolutely terrified because most of the stories online are sooo bad.
dave1969 getoutofhere
Posted
Hi Tam,
The surgery is performed on a regular basis in major hospital s. So I would not worry. Post surgery is all about your diet and keeping your bottom clean. Drink plenty of water up-to 3 pints a day. I'm 8 months post surgery and would not look back. My advise is plenty of fruit, water, shallow baths, up-to 2-4 a day. The healing process is up and down over the first 3 weeks. Don't exercise or lift anything in that period of time. After the 3 week period. You will experience times of bowl movements with little control. My advise is don't take laxative, this makes your stool to soft, daily leaking can cause more of an irritation to the wound. So it takes even longer to heal. So just drink plenty of water, fruit. Vegetable and you'll be fine. Like a idiot, I took too much stool laxative, and the above happened. I ended up with an infection. Mainly due too leakage constantly in the wound. But months on. I can honestly say. It's made a massive change, I don't bleed at all, no irritation. Back on my road bike, mountain bike. The best thing I've done. Oh one thing I forgot to mention. Instillagel was a great friend in the first 3 weeks post op. Kind regards Dave
getoutofhere dave1969
Posted
Thanks very much. It's so good to hear a positive story.
ty10430 marsha97458
Posted
marsha97458 getoutofhere
Posted
omar27896 mike61920
Posted
my advice is to have 3 tablespoons of mineral oil at night before bed. Drink lots of fluid no caffeine or fizzy drinks. I drank cranberry juice mixed with water and ice copiously. Eat toast and crackers. Main thing is lots of baths with Epsom salts, I lay in the bath up to 3 hours after a bum. It will get better slowly!
getoutofhere omar27896
Posted
Hi, good to hear you are feeling better and things have improved. This gives me hope. I have to have internal ones removed and I am so scared by most of the stories I've read online. I'm hoping that internal ones aren't as bad as most of the horror stories seem to involve removal of external hemmorhoids.
ty10430 mike61920
Posted
Mike I just had it done 3 and a half weeks ago and I experienced almost everything you said. My body started to involuntary push for a BM and I couldn't go and it hurt badly. But just went for my 3 week follow up and the doc said everything looks very good down there. Before I missed a lot of my kids events and dates, I would bleed or be in pain anytime I had a bowel movement. Now I feel like a normal person, it was painful, I had to give up my new job also to get it done. But it was all worth it.
Douggy ty10430
Posted
ty10430 Douggy
Posted
Thanks. It's been a little over a month now and I have no pain when I go. I had 3 large hemorrhoids and for years now I was afraid of bm's. I had to wear depends after I had one because of leakage someone described after the procedure. Well I had that for years before it, non after. It has been great, the aftermath of the recovery. Hang in there everyone, the week or little money of suffering is worth it. Oh I'm in the background check portion for a new better job, so all is well.
ty10430 mike61920
Posted
aash1234 ty10430
Posted
Day 7 post op.
I am finding it very hard to believe that 2 weeks of recovery is sufficient.
My story is very similar to everyone else. Pain is now consistantly a 6/10. After a bm, worst pain I've felt in my life.
I still can't sit. It's too painful. At what point did you find it easier to sit?
Tip: I haven't seen anyone mention this, but placing a heating pad under my butt seems to help reduce the pain and soreness.
I also live in a state where medical cannabis is legal (oils, not flower). A 1:1 ratio combined with the oxycodone takes the edge off. Neither makes the pain go away completely.
aash1234 mike61920
Posted
Day 7 post op.
I am finding it very hard to believe that 2 weeks of recovery is sufficient.
My story is very similar to everyone else. Pain is now consistantly a 6/10. After a bm, worst pain I've felt in my life.
I still can't sit. It's too painful. At what point did you find it easier to sit?
Tip: I haven't seen anyone mention this, but placing a heating pad under my butt seems to help reduce the pain and soreness.
I also live in a state where medical cannabis is legal (oils, not flower). A 1:1 ratio combined with the oxycodone takes the edge off. Neither makes the pain go away completely.
dave1969 mike61920
Posted
Hi ,
Hope this helps. The surgery is performed on a regular basis in major hospital s. So I would not worry. Post surgery is all about your diet and keeping your bottom clean. Drink plenty of water up-to 3 pints a day. I'm 8 months post surgery and would not look back. My advise is plenty of fruit, water, shallow baths, up-to 2-4 a day. The healing process is up and down over the first 3 weeks. Don't exercise or lift anything in that period of time. After the 3 week period. You will experience times of bowl movements with little control. My advise is don't take laxative, this makes your stool to soft, daily leaking can cause more of an irritation to the wound. So it takes even longer to heal. So just drink plenty of water, fruit. Vegetable and you'll be fine. Like a idiot, I took too much stool laxative, and the above happened. I ended up with an infection. Mainly due too leakage constantly in the wound. But months on. I can honestly say. It's made a massive change, I don't bleed at all, no irritation. Back on my road bike, mountain bike. The best thing I've done. Oh one thing I forgot to mention. Instillagel was a great friend in the first 3 weeks post op. Kind regards Dave
k5survives dave1969
Posted
ive read all of these now. yup day 3 and im struggling. after a bm is excruciating. i can handle most anything else. pain meds will run out tomorrow. i really hope if i call in they give me more. from what ive read all that i am experiencing is normal. im pooping twice a day. It just falls out with no pushing which is great but immediately afterward it feels like i stuck a branding iron up my backside. did anyone else need more meds called in? or am i just weak? And did you get any hassle if you did call?
rick87820 k5survives
Posted
k5survives i had and internal one and three external done. it is now day 9 and i am still in constant pain. up until day my first bm day 5 i was ok after the first bm i was in torment for 24 hours then went to the ER they did nothing for me as they said it was normal gave me no more meds or anything as they are the devil VA HEALTH CARE. went home took pictures and realized i ripped numerous stitches. the only way i have gotten this far now is i already had alot of pain pills at home that was the reasoning for my ER visit. I am an X army guy and this has seriously been an horrible experience for me. Dont know how most of you do this. Tomorrow will be day 10 and unfortunently i have to go fly to look/work at this job and fly back first time out of the house since operation. My plan bring lidocane and lots of pain pills wish i could cancell or i wouldv'e but got to do what you go to do.
K5 did you survive?