A few things I want to share after my hemorroidectomy- 15 days Post Op!

I am a 33 year old female in the US.  After my pregnancies my hemorrhoids were a huge ordeal.  Caused me pain after bowel movements, bleeding episodes, limited my ability to travel, and also caused pain even when just standing.  They were a major problem in my life.  So going into the hemorrhoidectomy- I literally at no choice.   I couldn't keep living with hemorrhoids impacting my life in such a negative way.   I had tried banding over 10 different times, tried every cream- altered diet completely- nothing would work.  So I knew I had to face the surgery and I read EVERY SINGLE ENTRY online about this surgery.  I was terrified, but I knew I needed to do it.  So now that I am 15 days post op I wanted to share my experience with whomever is in the same place I was.  I hope this helps someone.

First- my rhoids were grade 3 internal and external and as I said they caused me pain and many problems.  If you have rhoids that are not causing you pain- I STRONGLY suggest not having surgery.  This surgery should be a LAST RESORT.  Find a surgeon with compassion.  I have seen many colon-rectal surgeons who just show such a lack of empathy, and I promise you a surgeon with compassion will make a huge difference as your recovery continues.

Every blog talks about the first week.  I hate to say this but I want to be honest and for you to be prepared with what is ahead.  It IS as bad as every blog says- at least for me.  Maybe even worse than I read. I ended up in the ER for the first night, and then second day passed out from pain/medications and was taken to the hospital to be admitted for 5 days.  I am in the US so they wanted it be outpatient but there was NO WAY that was happening.  I couldn't even pee for 6 days on my own- literally!  I think for me the problem was that I was not reacting well to the narcotics.  So those first 5 days were just torture and there was a lot of pleading and praying for medication to kick in.  But by day 6 I felt a cloud lifted and was able to look out the window in my hospital room and feel there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. 

When I think what helped me those first days it would be ice packs and sitz baths.  I ate mostly soft foods, fruits and veggies.  Honestly I couldn't even eat much.  I was careful not too take too many laxatives as I didn't want to be going more than 2 times a day.  I went with prune juice instead to keep things moving.  If you need to- go in the sitz bath.  It sounds disgusting (and it is) but desperate times calls for desperate measures.  it will be not forever.  As soon as you go rinse yourself off quickly however you can.  That will help the burning pain.  The first few bowel movements had me shaking and sobbing, but by the 4th or 5th I started to feel like I could manage it.  But here I am 15 days later still using the sitz bath to help.  I am ok with that because that is a lot better than the extreme burning and stinging pain.

By the time I hit the end of the first week my pain management was under control and I had medication that was working.  So it was much easier to get to week 2 compared to getting to the end of week 1.  Every single day you are closer to healing.  Stay positive and remember the worst is behind you at this point.  I am on day 15 now and still have swelling and been icing.  But I was able to leave the house yesterday for a bit and today I cleaned up the downstairs pretty good because I haven't been able to clean and things were quite a mess!

I do still use a gauze pad and have been since the first day of surgery to catch anything leaking or coming out.  I feel like I am making progress but am still on medication to help with the pain.

With all this said- WOULD I DO IT AGAIN!?  Lord I Pray I NEVER have to!  Would I encourage someone else to do it-   Well?  If it is impacting your life as it was mine then I would say yes do it.  But first ask your doctor how they handle situations where the pain medication isn't working for a patient?  Would they be willing to admit you to the hospital?  My Dr admitting me to the hospital was a life saver.  Some of the other doctors on his team was pushing me to be discharged on day 3 and my doctor wouldn't allow it until I had my bowel movement and pain was under control.  I am extremely grateful for that.  So find a Dr with compassion and ask about that.  If your hemorrhoids are bad as mine were, the recovery will be more involved.  Make sure you have someone by your side that entire first week.  And don't expect to be back to work or caring for children prior to the 2 wk mark. 

I can't really say if this surgery took away all of my pain and problems after bowel movements because I am still healing.  But I will check in after a month or two for an update.  I am praying for full healing!!

If anyone has any questions or anyway I can help- reach out. 

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