Can anyone help Rafaelo Procedure

Hello all

I'd never told anyone (apart form my husband) about my haemorrhoids although I've suffered since I gave birth to my first son nearly 27 years ago, so it's been amazing to read about others who have experienced similar. I'm now 58 and over the last 10 years they'd got worse - particularly significant spontaneous bleeding - once, just after we'd boarded a flight, where I couldn't clean up for 4 hours! - but also general discomfort from walking, standing, sitting etc. My hobbies have always included horse riding and walking - so finally something had to be done.

Luckily I have private healthcare insurance, so when I read about the procedure, I was in. On consultation, I was told that I had one smaller and two large grade 3 internal hems. The Consultant said I was on the boundary of what might be achieved but agreed to try, as I was adamant.

I read every comment on here before having the Rafaelo procedure in 16 May. I resigned myself to the fact that it may not work but if it did there might be difficulties along the way. I reckoned trying was better than continually suffering. However, I must be one of the lucky ones. I have to say I had no pain whatsoever either during or after the procedure. I was under sedation (so remember nothing) and local anaesthetic. I was away from my room for 40 minutes in total which included anaesthesia, procedure and recovery. I was discharged an hour later. The worst part was the enema beforehand and that was probably just because I wasn't sure what to expect.

I'd taken the day off but was back to work the next day. I needed no pain relief at all. Now three weeks on, there has been no pain or discomfort. I took a mild dose of lactulose for about 10 days, just to keep stools soft, but bms were not much of a problem. There was some bleeding with bms for the first few days, but I was expecting that. Otherwise no bleeding or even spotting. I've still been using panty-liners just in case, and to be honest it's habit, but no need.

I can honestly say that this procedure has changed my quality of life already. I don't know if they've just shrunk or gone completely, but I have no symptoms and that's the main thing. I have a follow-up with my Consultant on 1 July, a week before I go in holiday. I'm looking forward to wearing white/light shorts... but more than anything not having to worry about discomfort or embarrassment or whether there is a toilet nearby, that has paper...and flushes!

It's such a shame for those who have had difficult experiences with this procedure but I would advise that if you are thinking about the procedure, go to your GP/consultant for advice and then think positively. I'm glad I did.

great stuff - thanks for your input!

I've noticed that not many have actually commented on the Rafaelo procedure specifically.

I had it done two days ago. unfortunately I was told it had failed as I was grade 4

I'd also say it's not painless.

yesterday, I had little pain as I didn't have any bm.

Today hasn't been so good. As I have IBS, bm has been been more active and the pain is pretty high.

I'd like it to having a constant dull ache and a intermittent stabbing feeling going right up there

I think they advertise it well and don't mention the pain side as much as they should.

it's only day two but am now worried that recovery is going to take longer than the advertised couple of days

I'm going for the Rafaelo procedure next week. I have grade 2 so have been told I'm a good candidate. To confirm a few of the posts above, this is not available on the NHS only private. It's done under sedation. I'll update afterwardshow it goes and pain ets, I have IBS.

Can anyone help, post op, do I have to abstain from sex for a while, both vaginal and anal? Thanks.

Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but i thought it worth adding my experience after 2 gos at Rafaelo. I have suffered with Hems for years. Last year i finally plucked up courage to do something about it. My consultant confirmed i had grade 4s. The worst. I had serious bleeding which was leaving me anaemic and a lot of pain. I asked for the Rafaelo because i wanted to do everything i could to avoid full surgery - the sound of which terrified me. So i had the Raf at the end of November last year. I had 4 grade 4 hems. too many to treat all at once so my consultant treated the biggest 2. i had 2 weeks off work following it. Yes it was painful. particularly from day 2 onwards. I also had a temperature and night sweats for a couple of nights. BMs were like passing a hedgehog. but after 2 weeks i was like a different man. Bleeding stopped. leakage stopped. after about a month there was no pain after BMs. and most importantly no protruding hems. It was life changing. Recently i started getting some pain again so decided to go back and have the procedure for a second time. This time I am 4 days post op and in a lot of pain particularly with BMs which seem to be 5 times a day and with a lot of wind. But i have faith that this will be as be as beneficial as the first time. I am avoiding codeine because i dont want to get bunged up, just paracetamol and ibuprofen alternating every 2 hours. I will update once the pain has subsided but from the feel of thjngs down there its already an improvement to the size of my external hems.

Day 5 and i'm on the codeine and the laxatives. the pain just got too much so i caved in. not sleeping too well either. warm baths and an ice pack seem to be helping a bit as does the proctosedyl ointment. i hope it starts to improve soon 😦

Day 8. Still in a lot of pain and having to visit the loo far too frequently. Every BM feels like it is doing more damage. i'll be surprised if i dont come through this with worse hemms than before. feeling pretty miserable.