Hemorrhoidectomy decision - What tipped the scale to go ahead? Is it worth it long-term?

Posted , 8 users are following.

I wish each and every one of you the best possible outcome you can attain, and peace from hems suffering. 

What tipped the scale for you to go forward with hems surgery? Is it worth it, long-term? Can I ever have a normal butt again, instead of bulging squishy lumps that move on their own? Less burning down there, less pain? What are your thoughts about if I should go ahead and bite the bullet to hems surgery? I've chickened out twice, but it's not getting any better...I could have 10+ good years, couldn't I? 

Here's my story: almost 70 yo active female, 110 lbs, no complicated chronic medical conditions, no maintenance meds. Have been diagnosed by 3 colo-rectal surgeons and primary care doc with Grade 3, 4 mixed external/internal hems. I thought I took good care of my general health, but not so much. Looking back, I've had pretty chronic constipation from not drinking enough water, eating enough fiber. Probably also irritable bowel. Have changed diet and water drastically since hems began prolapsing more severely. 

Looking for comments and recommendations from you very helpful folks. I've already found the post-surgery comments so very helpful.  I am a medical librarian who has access to too much of the medical literature, but the personal experiences give me a more realistic picture of what's going on in real people that I can talk to.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you. Peace to you all.

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    I say this with full confidence: Hemorrhoid surgery is NOT worth it if one can solve the problem trying nonsurgical and conservative methods.

  • Posted

    There was a story on this forums from a guy who healed them with massage. It did not look like scam, as he was not promoting any products. It makes sense logically, as it is essentially a blood filled sacks from which blood does not drain back. I'd definitely give it a read.

  • Posted

    In all the cases it was as a last resort, my surgeries in order were because of;

    1. Thrombosed hem
    2. Excessive bleeding
    3. Infection

    These surgeries suck. I've heard mother's say it hurts worse than giving birth. Recovery also takes ages. So, if you can avoid surgery do. But do know that hems can be dangerous in certain situations. Always play it safe.

  • Posted

    hi

    in my view , this is surgery is the worst because it produces the worst pain ever for first two weeks . i had it last JUNE and wish i did not every time i think if pain experienced . but again , now , i am happy that i did and i will tell u why .

    because none of non surgical methods helped ! i had 7 rubber band ligations and one where they inject the hem with chemical . all failed !! even though i only had annoying grade 2 hems .

    my last resort was this horrible surgery but results where good specially if you maintain a good diet ( fiber ) and take metamucil daily

    if you do decide to go through with the surgery , please do so knowing that the first two weeks you will experience hell ( pain wise) then it will start to get better with time . significant recovery will be at month 3 on

    best of luck for you !

    • Posted

      Thank you, Omar. I started a new post today regarding pelvic nerve involvement with hems. I appreciate your input on the surgery very much, and am glad that you are past the surgery and pain.

  • Posted

    HELLO ALL!

    Firstly, just a little background: I am a 39yo female, mother of a 10yo girl living a very active lifestyle. I am a cocktail waitress at a local casino, always running, always on my feet. Ever since giving birth to my daughter 10 long years ago, I have been suffering from both internal and external hemorrhoids. As if that weren't bad enough, I struggled with an opiate addiction for years. For anyone who doesn't know, opiates cause MANY GI issues, constipation being the most crucial. I've had countless ER trips, flare-ups, embarrassment and discomfort due to this ailment. I decided enough was enough and went to a Colo-rectal surgeon. I booked my surgery 2 years ago and chickened out after reading the MANY horrific recovery stories. Needless to say, things have not improved since and I went back to book the surgery once and for all.

    I had my surgery yesterday under general anesthesia and can HAPPILY report, I have had ZERO pain since!! I am only on Day 2 so far, but have already had a runny BM (sorry TMI) with absolutely no pain. I keep waiting for the pain bomb to drop but it has literally been an absolute BREEZE! I just wish I had done this the first time I booked it 2 years ago! My main concern was finding relief from the pain being on Suboxone for the past 8 years, a drug for opiate dependence which physically blocks ALL opiate narcotics from working. I was so petrified I would have to suffer through the pain since 1) no doctor would be willing to prescribe a known opiate abuser narcotics and 2) even if they did the narcotic wouldn't even touch the pain. All my worries proved unfounded and I can def say, I would do this ten times over if I had to. Those comparing it to childbirth saying it is so much worse, I would absolutely have to disagree! I've had toothaches that were more painful than this procedure! Again, I am only on Day 2 but have had pretty much no pain yet. It is uncomfortable and sore but nothing you can't handle. I think the key is to stay on top of the pain before it hits you. I've taken Tylenol and Advil together and have eaten soup and liquids. Stay hydrated and REST! I have been up walking around and even just dropped my daughter off at school!!! I was given Dilaudid 2mg for pain (only 12 tabs) for the first few days then my surgeon has me switching to Toradol for the next 5 days which is a Non narcotic so I can resume my Suboxone maintenance. Not sure if the Dilaudid is even working due to the Suboxone blocking the pain receptors. I only stopped taking my Suboxone 36 hours before surgery.

    Another side note, I have been instructed for quite some time now, due to the constipating effects of the Suboxone, to regularly take Miralax and I believe this has helped tremendously. My BM's are rarely solid and it makes going so much easier. I've been using an ice pack since coming home yesterday. I removed the dressing last night only because I noticed every time i would pee the urine was dripping down into the gauze and I didn't want an infection. I took a shower this morning just to clean the area and it felt so relieving. Again, no pain. I plan on trying a nice sitz bath followed by an ice pack to reduce swelling after taking a little nap. So far all I want to do is sleep!! The worst part about this for me so far was ALL the gas I felt after coming home. But it pretty much came out on its own without me having to push it out.

    I wish everyone could have a simple, easy, pain-free recovery as I seem to be having and I would steer clear from reading all the horror stories online! Everyone is different and we all heal at our own rate with our own threshold for pain (mine is VERY low btw) but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And soon we can go back to our normal lives, FREE of hemorrhoids!! I forget what that life is like it's been so long! But I am SO excited to have my life back 😃 BEST of luck to ALL of you!!! GOD BLESS!!

    • Posted

      I am happy to hear of your recovery progressing so smoothly and without too much pain. I applaud you wholeheartedly for taking the step to remove the hemorrhoids, and no doubt you will be happy they're gone!

      Best of luck!

    • Posted

      HEY that is great news !

      i am happy for you and you are one of the lucky very very few . HEM removal without pain is unheard of !

      Just one question for you to make absolutely sure : was it a banding procedure or a hemmordectomy ( surgical removal of hemmrriohds ) ?

      if it was the removal surgery , i am going to your doctor for sure should i ever needed another one !

      take care

    • Posted

      Thank you so much! It was indeed a traditional hemorrhoidectomy. No rubber band ligation. Now that the swelling has gone down tremendously, I can see the 3 external roids and their stitching. Part of the stitching is sticking up and out on each one and now that I am on DAY 6 I now have the fun symptom of itching. Still taking sitz baths and using Nupercainal ointment for numbing. Although, I feel fine without it. I could easily go back to work now. Still, virtually NO pain!

      The only thing that bothers me is the bleeding. I've gone through 2 packs of feminine pads already! And my BM's are STILL runny! I did have several "accidents" the first few days and was starting to get concerned of fecal incontinence. So I called the Dr and the nurse suggested I "bulk up" my diet. I've been eating bananas with toast and peanut butter. However, I def do not want to end up constipated either! But it seems to have helped with the accidents. I pretty much feel like myself again, except for the bleeding (not a lot, just enough to have to wear something protective). And there is still some swelling, they look about the same size now as they did before surgery. Just getting impatient waiting to see the final result once everything is fully healed! I honestly can not remember what it feels, or looks, like without hemorrhoids! It's been over a decade.

      I really wish I had done this sooner. And I hope I can give others a positive, optimistic outlook on this procedure.

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