Hemorrhoid surgery recovery tips
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Hemorrhoidectomy recovery
I had a hemorrhoidectomy two weeks ago. The doctor warned me that recovery process would be painful. But I didn't think it would be this intense. Here are a few tips to ease the pain. It made a world of difference in pain management for me:
1) ice packs-- most ice packs are not shaped for your butt and the flat ones only numb the butt cheeks, not the surgical site where you need relief. So make your own! Buy diapers (any size 3-6) and fill it with 3-4 cups of water and put it in a ziplock bag (for hygienic storage) and in the freezer. Once frozen, the diapers are curved perfectly to your anus area and won't drip as it melts either because the gel is designed to hold in liquid. I use one diaper several times before tossing. Just put it in a ziplock bag and refreeze.
2) squirt bottles--clean yourself with squirt bottles, not even wet toilet paper or baby wipes were gentle enough post surgery when the area is extremely raw. I bought two big squirt bottles at the drug store and fill them up before any bowel movements.
3) Boneal-- after cleaning the anus with the squirt bottles, I apply boneal (otc lotion for anal cleaning) lotion on toilet paper and dab it on my anus. It relieves the pain and itching that come later in the healing process.
4) sitz bath-- Do this 2-3 times a day and definitely after a bowel movement. Sometimes, I have my bowel movements in the sitz bath to ease the pain. Just remember to rinse it with soap and hot water right away if you have a bowel movement in there so you don't sit in fecal water and develop a uti on top of everything else.
5) if possible, stick to lots of veggies and soups for the first two weeks to allow the wound to heal. No starchy foods and anything binding!!!
These tips were given to me by the maternity nurses after I had a baby, but they are completely relevant here and I am especially grateful for the ice pack diaper trick! It was the ONLY way an ice pack can be applied to that anus area and not to my butt cheeks. Good luck and speedy recovery. BTW-- get all this ready, especially the diaper ice packs before surgery so you will have it immediately after you come home from surgery. You'll be in so much pain and not very mobile, so have all the relief remedies prepared ahead of time!
14 likes, 446 replies
murray32326 gee11215
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Good luck everyone and good healing!
cheryl46943 murray32326
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murray32326 cheryl46943
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liana05110 gee11215
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What was I Thinking?!?!?
My surgery was 7 days ago and I'm still experiencing intense pain. I don't even have to be doing anything...just lying on my stomach...and there is a persistent internal ache.
I wish i'd done some research prior to the surgery but i was told to avoid "Dr. Google." I did read a couple of things...and they were pretty scary. my husband threatened to take my ipad away if i didn't stop stressing myself out. lol!
So here I am, scouring the web to determine if i'm a big baby. my surgeon described the recovery as three days of bad pain, then i could be back at work in no more than two weeks. this has not been my experience. it's just been a relief to find i'm not alone.
has anyone else had an issue with welts & widespread bruising? i expected some bruises, but not the really big black bruising on one side. it almost looks like a blood vessel broke and it all pooled right where i was lying. the welts seem to run along a line that may have been where a dressing or barrier was taped.
cheryl46943 liana05110
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I haven't had my surgery yet - but have been following this site since January. Happy bum
Has been very descriptive and helpful along the way . Yep I am terrified - and yep my dr said the same thing - DONT GOOGLE . But it was too late - I had already found these brave people who had the guts to tell all . Even though there is still terror I have no choice - but at least I am going into it very aware and very prepared. There is a lot of helpful info. Read as many of these as you can. And keep us all posted in your recovery. It is helpful to us all who are still waiting. Even a daily check in will help us and you - you won't feel so alone in your pain. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Cheryl
murray32326 liana05110
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Happybum liana05110
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Are your hems external or internal? My surgeon laughed when I told him that someone had said that after 3 weeks they were skiing. If externals, maybe, but not internals. Internals take a looooong time. I am at 6 weeks post op.I'm getting there but not near ready yet.
martina79010 cheryl46943
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Hi everyone 2 days after hemorrhoid operation pain hurting bad has anyone any ideas how to stop the pain please hemorrhoid we're banded yesterday very sore
pita2k18 gee11215
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I'm day 5 post op, which is when my surgeon said i'd be back to work. What a joke. My MVPs are lidocaine ointment and a heating pad (I'm having more spasm-y pain than stinging/burning pain, so this works better than ice for me). By far the worst part was the 2 hour window between waking up from surgery and getting the damn pharmacy to fill the prescriptions, so if you can, try to get them filled ahead of time. I couldn't poop until day 3 even with the miralax and milk of magnesia i was recommended, so I had 2 cups of strong coffee and that did the trick just fine. With the miralax I have zero ability to tell if I'm about to fart or poop, which is less than ideal. Also, was anyone else told not to use a donut cushion? I was, but I've been using it a little just because otherwise I can't sit upright long enough to eat. Wishing you all a speedy recovery, I'm glad there's a place we can talk about the gory details
Happybum pita2k18
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That's absolute horse who-ee, back to work in 5 days, especially if you had internal prolapsing hems operated on. I am almost at 2 months and just now am beginning to feel about 80% normal. My surgeon laughed when I told him that someone said they were skiing after three weeks. He said, MAYBE if they had only external hems but not internals.
The lidocaine ointment helps with the spasms a bit, helps the healing. The not being able to tell if you are going to pass gass or feces is because of the surgery. As things heal up this happens less and less. My surgeon said to absolutely not use a donut cushion - it puts pressure on the area rather than relieving it. I laid down, propped up, to eat for about 6 weeks. I am sitting on a hard chair, balanced on the side of my but and upper leg as to not put pressure on the rectum. I am still sore but at least I can, sort of, sit upright.
Don't rush it. You only have one butt! :D
murray32326 Happybum
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I say too.... do NOT rush. I am seven weeks today and still having moderate pain with BM's. However things are getting better slowly. I would say I am 85% there. I still have a small amount of clear discharge from the area but I don't have to wear pads anymore and not taking any pain meds. Hang in there!! I does get better!! I am back to work but I have not resumed other activities (I usually bike to work) and regular exercise. Hopefully back to normal soon.
martina79010 gee11215
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Hi just had operation yesterday really very sore up there thanks for tips have u any ideas why I'm finding it hard to swallow food
meta2762 martina79010
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fiona96337 gee11215
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I had surgery to remove grade 3 piles on Wednesday 18th. So far I have had 2 bm, no pain, but sweats and felt faint. Pain levels have been no worse then when my piles are at their worse. Travelled 5 hrs in car on 19th. I was lead to believe pain wud b unbearable. I do have high pain tolerance though! Fingers crossed I'm over the worst already!
meta2762 fiona96337
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