Posted , 41 users are following.
Hello Everyone, I’ve been suffering from piles for some time now. I’ve been told about the Rafaelo procedure, as it suggests, will the surgery be painless. Please advise or share story of those who have had this particular procedure please. Thank you for any help.
1 like, 189 replies
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Ben4421 nabila79762
Posted
Hi all
I thought I would post an update (would be good to hear from others too)
So it’s been 5.5 weeks since surgery and 3 weeks since I had extreme post surgery bleeding. I have seen my consultant for my follow up and he’s still 50/50 whether it has worked for me but we’re hoping the best and only time will tell. He says you won’t know for sure until 3 months after surgery but I still have prolapsing hem upon BM.
I have had almost zero bleeding since my trip to A&E which is reassuring. Once I had a few spots after a BM and today a couple of dots however if I had used wet wipes I’m sure this wouldn’t have happened. I think these are from over wiping? I’m probably doing a bit too much to ensure it’s clean down there!
Pain.... basically zero. I only have an uncomfortable temporary ache in one side upon BM and after for a while. Nothing much and no pain killers needed. I also get this feeling when needing to pass wind so it must be when there is an irritant passing the area.
I’m going to be post again at 8 weeks to give an update but I’m praying it has worked as I really don’t want to go through this again and even worse... we’re talking stapling and possible small excisions!
suzana86 Ben4421
Posted
Hi Ben,
Ohhh no! Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing. Where did you have it done? Don’t loose your confidence. Keep believing!!! Wish you best of luck. I have mine on the 11th of October 😔.
Kind regards,
Suzana
gary_79006 Ben4421
Posted
Reading your comments I think you may have similar to what I had. I’m exactly 3 weeks post today. Had follow up last Monday and I had that full pain lower right side . I had done blood also and still get a bit and irritation . Anyway consultant examined me and said I had a small tear and that he felt this would clear up by itself prob caused by the instruments . He told me to drink plenty water and take fibre. A week on it’s gone no more pain now still some spotting . Consultant does not want to see me again unless u get in real trouble . He was also cautious about success at this moment but never said 3 months so that’s interesting to know thanks
suzana86 gary_79006
Posted
Hi everyone,
A quick update.. So went to the private consultant on thursday and apparently I don't have piles which I was shocked so the NHS misdiagnosed me. Apparently I have:
I need surgery for anal fissure plus removal of the polyp which is awful but don't have any choice. At the moment I am forced to go and have this surgery private, it's scheduled in DECEMBER and I am so scared but to get my life back I need to do it will cost more then rafaelo but in order to be healthy I need to do it. The banding with NHS consultant was apparently for the polyp which doesn't work of course but well now I know what is it and hopefully will get this sorted. It's gonna be agony I know but don't have any other choice.I am so annoyed that the NHS said that I have piles and insted I have a different condition. They have me pile treatment and banding but the banding was for the skin tag not piles and the NHS consultant said that is for piles. I am soooo angry at the moment and all these years where waste of time and medication for piles.
All the best,
SUZANA
tej0001 suzana86
Posted
Hi Suzana...thanks for sharing the update...In fact thats why second opinion matters..good now that you will be treated for actual cause. Did you see Amyn Haji? Not sure if i am in same position as you..I had Rafello done 6 months back but still always have ballooning or swelling post BM
suzana86 tej0001
Posted
Hi Tej,
yes I have seen Mr. Amyn and I think he's great also the way he talk and treats you it's amazing. He's very professional. I would highly recommend him. Well if RAFAELO didn't worked and you are still prolapsing and hurts after BM you might have a polyp resulting from anal fissure. I though for 8 years that I had piles there you go, completely different diagnostic. It's shocking but I am glad that I have done it, now I booked my surgery in DECEMBER, Mr. Amyn could have done it early but due to my work I am able to do it only in december.
Regards,
Suzana
ian86684 suzana86
Posted
Sorry to reply late to this (busy with work). I'm now almost a year on (had it done in March last year) and yes, it is not the miracle treatment the marketing would have you believe.
However it has changed my life for the better and I am so glad I didn't have to have a haemorrhoidectomy.
I have a skin tag left which is annoying especially cleaning after a BM. But nothing compared to the hems. A minor irritation, and I forget about it 99% of the time. There is the option to remove the skin tag surgically but it would be painful. I may consider it one day!
I was frustrated with the Rafaelo marketing. I had a long drive planned (over 1,000 miles) two weeks after the procedure, which I definitely would not have done if I'd known what it was going to be like!
Good luck to anyone considering it. After all my research I believe it is easily the best treatment currently available for hems. I had three large prolapsing piles and am now hem-free. And I also had Mr Amyn Haji, who in my experience is an excellent surgeon and good communicator.
Happy to answer any questions.
Ben4421 nabila79762
Posted
Hi Guys
So its 13 weeks today since op. And exactly what the surgeon thought.. it doesnt seem as though it has worked. Still prolapsing with aches every now and then and swelling feeling. The only upside is after BM i get little to no blood spots... before i would on and off get a considerable amount. Not sure what the outlook for me is.. there was mention of stapling in my last consultation which i was optimistic about. I would just prefer to have something done which will 100% work and be done with it! The pain and trauma from my op has completely put me off wanting to try minimally invasive surgery - I seem to much prefer the thought of having a full removal of hems to be sure theyre out and its over, even with the lengthly recovery period. unfortunately my surgeon was against removal. anyway, im away for quite some time so 'back to normal' for me living with hems until i return to the UK!
ian86684 Ben4421
Posted
Sorry to hear this. Hope you get a resolution eventually.
geoff03695 nabila79762
Posted
Hi
Ive had the RAFELO procedure and I personally had a good 2 weeks of terrible pain. Not as bad as my previous operation but still pretty dire! I wish the consultants were more honest about the potential recovery issues!
All is much better now but it did really impact on my life for a few weeks
ian86684 geoff03695
Posted
Good luck and I hope you continue to see good results.
I completely agree about the marketing. It led me to attempt things I would not have if they'd been more honest. Some people may skip out of there and cycle the Tour de France but they should warn that not everyone will!
I still think it's the best option available in most cases.
Susanalbumparty geoff03695
Posted
what sort of pain did you experience? ive got a really sharp pain during/post bm and its quite severe but dies down fast into a throb/burning which lasts hours.
similar to what you had?
Tuberk nabila79762
Posted
Hi All,
Very useful posts by all, so thanks for them! Thought I should chip in:
Had procedure on the 11th Jan for 3 grade 3s.
First week, no issue, just a little bit sore.
Week 2 bleeding started after BM. Not loads, but in stool and on paper.
Day 9 something prolapsed, is engorged and painful. Cant tell if its a hem or skin tag. Looks like the latter from outside, the former underneath. Yuck, I know. Apologies.
Now day 11 bleeding has stopped, but still have prolapsed thing. Still painful. Still not sure what it is.
Check up on 4th Feb hopefully to discover more. Praying its not a hem!
Had a hemorrhoidectomy about this time last year. So far, this is a breeze in comparison.
Jock1949 Tuberk
Posted
Apologies in advance: With camera phones in selfie mode it is easy to get a useful photograph by squatting over the camera on the floor. This is useful for tracking progress.
Tuberk Jock1949
Posted
Thanks.... I go for a mirror.
Sadly I think it's a hem they did not get. it's very very painful. Bit depressed as battling this for ages and am quite young. sigh.
Ben4421 Tuberk
Posted
hi.
thanks for sharing. would you also mind sharing your hemorrhoidectomy experience?
Tuberk Ben4421
Posted
Hey. it was last year Jan. One cut and two banded. The banding failed. I speculate the cut also failed but don't I know for sure.
The recovery was long and painful. Thought I might have an infection and nearly went to A and E in week 2. Had 2 anal fissures. Started noticing hems again in week 4. Took about 2 months to feel ok. Fissures 4 to scar over.
However have not been able to sit for long since since on right side where cut was. All done NHS.
Started seeing private in August. advised Rafelo procedure. Saw 2 consultants, went with one I liked in January this year.
Overall, I've broken my back before so am used to pain and long recoveries. Not joking when I say the hems get me down more as there is little one can do aside from change your diet and they are screwing what should be best years of my life.
Tuberk
Posted
Typed on phone. Apologies for grammar and spelling.