Hemorrhoid surgery recovery tips
Posted , 156 users are following.
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
kanjala20931 gee11215
Posted
finally i among people that understand me! i havent had a BM since my colonoscopy. 7 days! doc recommended milk of magnesia and it worked. i was so scared. i screamed a couple of times....now im back in bed! ibuprofen 800 is the only way i can survive! i was getting depressed.
trble kanjala20931
Posted
This is exactly what i did last night. I looked at the paperwork again and it recommended the milk. instant relief from the constipation. I was in the bathtub about 3 in the morning from still having to go though. I took the milk about 1130 and started doing a BM about 1230. I hurt so bad and scared the s**t out of me. I am sore right now and don't want to try and go again yet. I am taking 800 with my Opoids. I'm about to go to just 800 soon. looks like we are on the same track... hopefully the corner is ahead soon....
trble gee11215
Posted
I went off Opoids yesterday. I'm still taking Ibuprofen 800. I have been so constipated. I got up took a bath and drank some milk magnesia and bamm... everything came out. I am feeling better now. Hope this is a sign of good things to come. Thank god for you guys giving me some pointers and helped me decide to stop the medication.
I did call the doctors office to make sure i wasn't making a bad declension. I wish they were a little more informative at the beginning, but at least they take my questions.
kanjala20931 gee11215
Posted
(((hugs)))))! i havent had an opiod in 2 days! i have a cute shuffle to walk lol
jane16431 kanjala20931
Posted
shuffle walk...thats funny! needed in such moments
Guest gee11215
Posted
The best hemorrhoid surgery recovery tip is do WHATEVER you can to avoid this surgery. Sorry, my reply might be weird. But please think! This is a very stupid surgery in the worst part of body where is used everyday and you can't keep it still.... The recovery is very slow, takes months.... and the surgeons lie if they say two weeks! Change your diet, exercise, take more liquids/water, avoid constipation, more importantly DO NOT listen to surgeons who encourage you to do surgery and get permanent relief! They LIE about recovery time, if they don't, if they tell the truth, they will lose the majority of their "customers".....The permanent relief might happen, but you will lose a lot...... Change your life style, avoid this horrible surgery.....
trble Guest
Posted
for me... it had to be done. one was so big... riding a bike was difficult. I first seen this doctor 9 years ago... he told me it was the biggest one he ever seen. I tried for over that many years avoiding. I researched and knew what was gonna happen. He told me to come back when I can't take it anymore and it's gonna hurt like hell!. Surgery was the only way for me and I don't regret it... cause the future for me will be worth it.
eileen18091 Guest
Posted
obviously it's better not to have to have this surgery, but 3 hemorrhoids the size of grapes? there was no shrinking those guys. I am glad I had the surgery. yes it was difficult but my quality of life now is so much better.
cindy51948 eileen18091
Posted
i agree eileen, even though i might never be 100% , the surgery has definetley helped me with my quality of life! like i said, i can live like this now, prior to surgery i was a mess..
jane16431 Guest
Posted
Allen:
You are absolutely correct. I agree 100% with ALL you have said.
However, some have no choice and have to go through it. And in those cases I wish for the best possible recovery. There are ways to promote recovery and reduce pain. This entire thread does a great job of giving advice.
Guest jane16431
Posted
You're right.
christine10388 Guest
Posted
I had it after 2 pregnancies.NEVER i'll get preggy again.I thing that's the best thing to do,coz regardless of what i did to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy,nothing helps.My kids worth it though,but nah,I'm done!
kanjala20931 gee11215
Posted
I am 45 yrs old. My doctor said my situation was chronic. He encouraged me to do it now because recovery at 45 is easier than 65/75. I get better daily, bit i still feel lightening bolts from time to time where they cut me. This has truly been an experience!
cindy51948 kanjala20931
Posted
when did you have your surgery?
darlene47573 kanjala20931
Posted
I couldn't imagine being 80 and having this surgery:( Hang in there. Read a lot of old posts it is helpful to know others have experienced the same misery with positive results.