HALO surgery - how was it for me?

I researched this before going ahead and came across so many posts from people experiencing severe pain afterwards so wanted to post a more positive experience.

I’ve had occasional piles on and off for years (now aged 64) but most recently persistent category 3  pushed me into agreeing to HALO surgery as advised by NHS consultant.

My piles were never painful, just messy! 

The op seemed to go well. Did feel like I’d had a kick in the pants afterwards but only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen which I took for a week then reduced to zero after 10 days. Avoided using the codeine as I believe they cause constipation and that you do not want!

I eat a bowel-friendly diet generally, including daily fruit smoothies. However, I decided to take a low dose of laxative following the op to help smooth the flow. Again I was able to reduce this to zero after 10 days. 

So the the bad news? It took 48 hours for my first bowel movement after the op and it was excruciating! Avoided pushing but it did feel like I was passing the proverbial grapefruit! All over in 20 minutes with no significant pain later. My advice would be to dose up with more laxative immediately after the op but don’t overdo it. Might have made the first motion less painful.

Following bowel movements were much less painful and relatively normal within two weeks. I’d say only one further bowel movement was in any way significantly painful.

Now 6 weeks on everything is fine and dandy. I’m very pleased with the outcomes. I hope my experience gives folk thinking of having the HALO procedure some confidence that it does not have to lead to weeks of severe pain.

And remember, go with the flow, don’t push:-)

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