Hemorrhoidectomy in 12 hours....
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello all...
My story will be familiar to many of you. I've spent years reading these forums as I've dealt with extremely bad internal prolapsing hemorrhoids (grade 3) for the better part of a decade. Also like many of you, I tried just about everything possible and always swore that if it came to the surgery, I'd just live with it after reading all the horror stories.
Well... the time has come... The hemorrhoids are so large they're messing with my prostate and the pain/ blood loss has become unbearable. I'm barely able to leave my house anymore. So it's time to man up and crawl out of the tub and into the operating room... And then back into the tub....
About 5 years ago I reached a similar point and saw a colorectal surgeon who first tried banding (good lord was that unbearable) and then the THD (Halo) surgery. None of that worked and after 3 glorious weeks of no prolapsing post op they all just popped right back up. They where a little bit smaller than before surgery which bought me some time, but all present and accounted for...
Regarding THD: If you're considering it, I would think twice if you have a grade 3 (prolapsing every time you poop and needed to be reinserted manually) because I just don't think that procedure is up to the job. I think for grade 2 and below though, it's could maybe work. However, the "48 hour back at work" line they feed you is complete nonsense as many others have said. I'll obviously be able to make comparisons a bit more directly in about 12 hours, but to me it seemed a lot like the hemorrhoidectomy recovery stories I've read on here. Severe pain/ bleeding for 2 weeks, living in the tub, etc, etc.
I've been just dealing with my situation as best I can since then but over the last 3 years I developed Prostatitis. My GP would treat it with antibiotics for a month, it would go away and then it would come back like clockwork a year later, which is very bizarre for an other wise healthy 29 year old male. My working theory (not a doctor by any means, just a research freak) is that the hemorrhoids are somehow causing this. I wonder if I'm getting infected when the hemorrhoids are tearing and bleeding or if just the enormous size of them is pushing on my prostate. Either way, here's hoping the procedure fixes that problem too.
I'm also lucky enough to have gotten an IBS diagnosis in the last year, which has obviously aggravated things greatly. Ironically I think it was all the on again, off again antibiotic stints that really kicked it off for me. Generally it presents itself as violent diarrhea fits/ gas attacks. As a result of that, I lost quite a bit of weight, down from 190 lbs (I'm 6ft tall) to now 162 lbs pre-surgery. I had a gazziion tests with a GI specialist (colonoscopy, CT scan with contrast, every blood/urine/poop test imaginable) but all came back negative and I wound up with an IBS diagnosis and a surgery referral.
So... That all brings me to 11am tomorrow morning when I finally face my biggest fear and get the dreaded surgery.
Leading up to it, I've opted to purchase just about every single "tip and trick" I've seen on here. I've got a toilet sitz bath, a lifetime supply of stool softener, baby wipes, underwear liners, adult diapers, 8 pounds of epsom salt, a heating pad and a new obnoxiously large TV in my bedroom and another in the bathroom. I haven't had cable in years but if ever there was a time...
The one thing I'm doing a little differently is that while I've been taking stool softeners for about 3 weeks leading up to this (1 Collace a day then 2 a day starting 3 days before the op), I haven't been taking a fiber supplement like many others have. I'm going to very, very slowly introduce some (benefiber) in if I'm having trouble initially but with my IBS, I'm extremely sensitive to it. I remember after my 1st op passing gas was a nightmare for the first few days and fiber has a good chance for me of triggering a gas attack. I think for most people without this problem, ramping up the fiber for a few weeks before this and also starting stool softeners about a week early (I was on them longer just because of the pain I was already in) is a good plan.
I have another type of stool softener (I would take it in addition to Collace), miralax, milk of magnesia and gas-x ready to roll should they be needed as well.
Surgeon is prescribing Oxycotton and Valium for post op pain. I'll also be taking the max dose of IB proffin. I found that was a miracle drug for me last time around. The opioids help "take you out of it" but the IB proffin was the only thing able to directly touch the pain. Valium will help with spasms and will hopefully make me not worry as much about that first poop... I've also made some extremely potent marijuana edibles with a 50/50 ratio of CBD/ THC to use (I live in a legal state) I'll mix in as needed. I'd like to get off the painkillers and switch to those as soon as I can to avoid opioid constipation.
I ate a small PB&J this morning and have stuck to just water (lots of it) until the surgery about 24 hours later. Dr didn't recommend enema, laxative prep beforehand, so I'm going with her opinion on that one but also trying to make sure I'm going in with a fairly empty tank. After the procedure I'm planning on sticking with soups, chicken stock, yogurt for as long as I can take it (probably 2 days if I'm a gambling man) and then ramping up to some fruits (watermelon, pear, cantaloupe) and avocado toast/ sandwiches (no cheese). I've got a fantastic girlfriend who took 9 days off work to take care of me during the post op and while I work from home, I booked myself 2 weeks completely off the grid just in case as well.
I was dead set on getting a colo-rectal specialist, but the insurance I have (Kaiser) will only do the procedure with a General Surgeon. I'm a bit nervous about that part, but I like my Dr. a lot and I do trust her.
It's still a bit unknown what she'll actually do during the procedure. When I went in for the consult, I was in so much pain she was only able to do a rectal exam for a few seconds before making the recommendation for the OP (mostly based on my extensive history). She thinks the sharp pain I currently have is the result of a fissure but I think it might be a thrombosed hemorrhoid. I've "ok'ed" a botox injection fissure treatment (she doesn't want to do a sphinctorectamy at the same time) but we're sort of playing that one by ear after she gets in there and sees whats going on.
She's also very worried about stenosis (narrowing of the anal canal) if she does too much cutting at once, so she's mentioned leaving 1 in there (I have 3) and then going back in for a second procedure in a few months. That by far is I think my biggest fear going into this tomorrow, that I wake up and still have a prolapsing hemorrhoid. Prolapsing through the wound seems like the worst pain imaginable and I really hope that's not what happens! I trust her to make the right call for my well being though during this, which is really all I can do at this point.
I'll be posting updates as I go along here, so feel free to follow along. Without the countless hours I've spent reading on this forum, I don't know if I'd have had the courage to do this, so it's the least I can do to pay it forward.
If you have any questions or advice on what I'm planning post-op, I'd love to hear them.
Here's to better days (soon I hope....)
2 likes, 91 replies
pita123
Posted
Day 11 update:
Today was a slightly better day. Thank god... I really needed it. My fever seemed to break in the night and aside from one quick spike in the afternoon up to 99.2, I've been cruising right around my normal temp of 98.5. I had only one BM this morning, despite taking miralax (still doing half doses) but that seemed about right as I ate almost nothing yesterday. My appetite finally returned as well and I was able to eat 2 full meals. Still eating the same thing (turkey sandwhich, 5-7 chips, serving of fruit and a yogurt) which is causing me to empathize with my dog a bit... Poor dude is eating the same kibbles all the time too! : ) I am going to absolutely destroy a pizza when this is behind me...
Went and saw my GP today at the advice of the on call nurse I spoke to about my fever. They wanted me to get checked for some other condition that might be causing fever, as it is fairly rare with hemorrhoidectomy post op. No such luck though. Lungs are clear, throat looks fine, etc, etc. They didn't bother to do more bloodwork since I already had it at the ER a few days ago. He did take a look at the wound and was not exactly gentle... He didn't go 'in there' but the spreading made me feel like he was ripping me in half from my butt. Said it looked normal with what should be expected post op.
One thing that has irritated me a bit is my inability to contact my surgeon during all of this. She made a huge deal pre-op about how I could "call her anytime" and made a big show about writing down "her number" on a piece of paper for me. Well, turns out it was essentially just the main number for the Kaiser Permanente, lol. She also left on vacation the day after my procedure. It's fine, I get it, everyone needs a break. However, just tell me that and maybe make arrangements for another surgeon to cover for you while you're gone if complications arise. Surgeons overall seem so arrogant about this procedure, for lack of a better word. They just seem to assume that all will be fine and I think give some pretty unrealistic post op expectations. There is absolutely no way I'll be pain free 2 weeks out like she suggested pre-op.
Anyway... after cursing out a poor nurse, wouldn't you know it, I'm on the schedule to see her as soon as she's back on Tuesday (4 days from now).
Had another BM tonight after dinner which sucked as usual. The burning/ aching is quite bad and lasts for about 2 hours afterwards, which seems on par for other's experiences at this point post op. I'm trying to wean off the Oxy, but I'm still taking about 3 a day, usually right around my BM's. Brownish, stinky discharge still coming out fairly regularly but not a lot of blood outside of the actual BM's themselves anymore.
I've been told to just treat the fever with IB proffin and essentially just "sweat it out". If it gets above 101.5 I'm supposed to call in and then likely go to an ER.
Here's hoping for an uneventful labor day weekend...
sus62307 pita123
Posted
pita123, keep staying in touch as you progress over the weekend. I hope it goes along with easier poops and fever free. Does it seem you are peeing out enough, or do you have any burning? They probably did a urinalysis to rule out UTI...yes? I applaud your self-advocacy and encourage you to keep it up..this is not the time to be shy of getting the help you need, or want.
Wondering, but totally understand if you don't answer.... how long was your surgery? what type of anesthesia did they give? did you have a catheter placed afterwards?
As to surgeons, surgery is their strong suite, not interpersonal communication! I've found their office staff and hospital staff are protective of them, and the nurses seem to assume all the back-up roles of the aftercare period. Long ago, my then 4 yo son had an awful, painful skin surgery to remove a giant hairy nevus. It had a high likelihood of turning malignant, so we made the decision to operate. We were first case for the surgery to start at 7:30am. My child's on the gurney, I'm trying to stay calm...we wait and we wait. I finally spoke up, and asked why the delay, when would we start? I'll never forget, the OP nurse told me to be quiet because I was making everyone nervous! If only someone had comforted me instead of chiding me in the operating waiting room with son, it would've helped a great deal, but it was not the way.
I'm glad you reached out and continue to with this group, and glad I did, too. It's been a source of treasurable information and comradeship for me. Surgery, post-surgery, and all the unknowns can be a very lonely road. I'll be here for you, rooting for your full recovery as soon as possible.
pita123 sus62307
Posted
Hey Sus,
Peeing for me has actually been totally fine. It would be very rare for you to need a catheter for this operation because it generally will not take more than 2 hours, even if they are removing quite a few of them (3 and a skin tag in my case). My surgery I believe lasted just over 1 1/2 hours and I was under full general anesthesia. After the op, I remember immediately feeling like I needed to pee (I think I drank too much water that morning) and they gave me a little plastic thing to try and pee into while in my bed. I wasn't able to make that happen, so the nurse suggested I try getting up and going to the actual bathroom. That seemed to do the trick as I was immediately able to take a very long and satisfying pee. After that post op, I haven't really had any problems with urination. Sometimes it would take a few seconds to start but would always be fine when it did. I sometimes also will have a little spasm in my sphincter as I "start up" but that is something that probably happens all the time while healthy, you just don't notice it until you have a bunch of stitches down there.
It seems like you're very worried about urinary retention with the surgery but honestly, it should be the very least of your fears really. The reason that actually happens is due to the anethestic, not the surgery itself and even if it does happen, it is easily resolved right then and there with a catheter for a few hours. They'll remove it and then everything will work just fine after that. It won't be pleasant, but it will be absolutely nothing compared to the other post op pain/ discomfort. Also, if you've ever been under GA before for surgery, if you didn't have urinary retention then, you will very likely not have it now. Beyond that, the instances of urinary retention are extremely low. I don't know the exact number off hand but it is an extremely small percentage out of all the procedures they do.
As much as this totally sucks still, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I can only imagine I'll double down on that when I can actually walk around again and resume "real life".
pita123
Posted
Day 12 update:
I think at the 2 week mark I might start going to slightly less frequent (maybe bi-weekly) updates unless something new and different happens because it's still much of the same old same old for me at the moment.
Today was like many other days. I woke up with the usual pain in my sides which is relieved by urinating, passing gas and then eventually a couple painful stools. I'm still staying soft by using 2 Coalesce every time I eat and I've been doing a half cap of miralax in the mornings as well just to keep things moving. I think I might cut that out as I've been having a BM at night fairly regularly when I do that, which always sets me back on pain. Much rather do all my business once a day at this point...
The pain is becoming manageable except for during and after a BM. I'm really only taking my Oxy at this point right around my BM, so max 2 a day. 1 if I only have one BM in the morning. The pain post BM though is still unreal. It starts as an intense burning, like someone is blow torching your hole and then it develops into this very deep "ache" further "up there", sort of by my tailbone. Anyone remember when the BM pain started to ease? I know everyone heals differently but I'm really hoping that around the 3 week mark I can finally start pooping like a normal person again... (still using the sitz bath toilet attachment and then jumping right into a hot bath)
Thankfully no signs of the fever today. I've been at a stable 98.5 all day. Much needed, that was really driving me nuts.
I think I'm finally about to cave on my diet. Eating the same thing every day is driving me nuts. I may never eat another whole wheat sandwich or yogurt again in my life after this! I cracked today and had a kid's cheeseburger from McDonald's for dinner (no fries)... Not normally my style but damned if it wasn't the best thing I've ever tasted after my bland last 2 weeks! I'm down to 155 lbs (162 lbs pre-op) which I'm actually pretty happy with considering how little I've eaten post op. Once I can poop normally again, I'm going to make a big push to gain some more weight (I'd like to be around 165-170) and start working out. I've been trying to move around the house more and I think I'll even start trying to do a few things like pushups, etc in the meantime here. I haven't weighed this little since I was like 14 years old, so I think I have a good foundation to build some muscle on now. Very tough to move for the first 4-6 hours post BM still, so if I have one in the morning and one at night, I'm in bed most of the day unfortunately which is making me a little stir crazy. Still can't really sit yet anyway, even if I'm doing better on pain otherwise.
Still having a significant amount of discharge. It's always light brown in color and smells absolutely horrible but hey, at least it's not blood. I've actually been pretty surprised with how little blood I've encountered during this. I had a fair amount leaking out day 1-2 and every BM has a "dusting" of blood on it but none of the "turning on the sink" stuff I've read in other threads. I'll take what I can get I guess, lol.
Here's hoping I continue to improve. Still seeing the surgeon for follow up in 2 days. I might have her do another urine test just to make sure I don't have a UTI. I don't have any symptoms but all this time sitting in poop water makes me nervous, combined with the low grade fever. Can't hurt to check.
Off to the bath and then to bed!
sus62307 pita123
Posted
Pain becoming more manageable is a wonderful thing..very happy to hear! Looking forward to an update after you see surgeon for a check-up. Anything you post is helping me a great deal. You write and express yourself well...so it's good read your posts. Keep on healing!
pita123
Posted
Day 13:
Pretty good day overall. Still have lots of pain (ache/ burn) after BM's but it's fading a bit quicker every day in the hot tub I jump into right after. My biggest problem right now is that my BM's are just all over the place on timing. Instead of having just one or two in the morning like I did pre-op and even the first week and a half ish post op, I'm having one tiny one every 6-8 hours, which is driving me nuts pain wise because that's usually just as I get comfortable. I've been a little suspicious on what's going in vs whats coming out (seems like the BM's should be bigger) but I don't feel constipated at all and I'm still passing stool/ gas normally.
If I could just get it all over with in the mornings though I think I could start living a relatively normal life again! I've been using Miralax, but part of the problem is that I'm taking it too late I think. I'm taking it as I wake up in the morning but my hunch is that the following movement or two is just me doing my thing as normal and the others throughout the day are the result of the Miralax. I think I'm going to try a bold move here tomorrow and attempt to completely go off the Oxy (had been taking 1 after BM still) and the Miralax. Can't hurt to try and I can always "bail" and pop a painkiller if I need to tap out... The deep aching right around the tailbone I've had the last 4ish days is what concerns me with that plan at this point in my recovery though. It's so bad that I can't get comfortable and it's hard to think about something else unless I'm in the hot bath and on drugs. That pain though I've been noticing has been lasting less and less long, so I'm encouraged. I've been getting a little lazy on eating fruit too. Need to get back on that. I've had a little bit of burning in my penis, but I'm not really sure if it's just gas related or related to any of the other weirdness going on down there. I've always had a sensitive prostate and I'm sure there's been a fair amount of swelling/ nonsense down there the last 2 weeks. Either way, I see the surgeon in 48 hours now, so I can have her order a urine test and treat for a UTI if I have one. I've been keeping very clean but poop + warm water I'm pretty sure is an easy way to get one, even though I'm keeping my "snorkel" above water so to speak (haha). It's funny how the incredibly gross and demeaning ritual of pooping in the tub can become the normal routine . Absolutely no shame in my bathroom game right now, lol. What ever is least painful.
Anyway, thats a wrap on day 13. Catch ya next time
jake31434 pita123
Posted
jane16431 pita123
Posted
sus62307 jake31434
Posted
Veggies that help me most are lentils, brussels sprouts and peas. Don't know what's in the lentils, but they never fail to help and they don't produce gas.
pita123 jane16431
Posted
Thanks guys! Appreciate it!
I'm super sensitive to raw veggies with my IBS (steamed is usually best), so I'm trying to just keep it boring for about 1 more week and hopefully when I'm over the hump, introduce a fiber supplement and also start eating a ton more veggies/ fruit. I really genuinely miss salads. Thanks for the suggestions on veggies, I'll start with those.
I agree as well Jane! It's right around the bend here, I can feel it! I don't know why, but my gut tells me 3 weeks is the magic number for me. We'll see! Hopefully I'm wrong and it's tomorrow!! I can't wait to get back on my motorcycle before it starts to get cold out here...
jane16431 pita123
Posted
pita123 jane16431
Posted
What do you mean by still not feeling right? Still having pain/ feeling of something poking out down there?
I'm getting the sense it will be a few months before I feel 100% back to normal so I'm curious to hear what percentage you think you're at now basically 2 months post op.
jane16431 pita123
Posted
sus62307 pita123
Posted
So much progress, pita123! I'm eternally grateful for your hemmies journal, and how you've kept your sense of humor through the ordeal. You are remarkable! It feels like you should take greetings from the blog group to your surgeon! Looking forward to learning the surgeon's report and any other developments in the coming days.
Here's to comfortable, pain free days ahead...more time having fun living life, less time in the tub, eh???
SUS
pita123 sus62307
Posted
Couldn't agree more, lol. Starting to hate my tub! I actually did mention I've been journaling my recovery to the surgeon, so I might just send this her way, who knows. Certainly at this point this has to be one of the longer post op guides on the internet! Guilty as charged of being a bit long winded but I just wanted to include everything in as much detail as possible in case anyone else down the road finds themselves with similar side effects/ healing progress. The unknowns are the scariest parts of recovery in my experience.
sus62307 pita123
Posted
Frequently, I have thought to ask the surgeons, doctors, "can you hook me up with someone who has gone through this with you?" Preferably someone more reliable than a Yahoo or Google rating!
You're reliably posting your lived experiences...and, like you, I want to know what other hemmie sufferers have gone through, especially those like you who've had the surgery! There's good conversation going on here, we can freely ask questions of each other, and maybe apply something to your own experience...that's helpful to us fellow hemmie sufferers.
Hooray for this forum, and you! Hope it's a good recovery day for you!
pita123 sus62307
Posted
I had the same thought going into it but unfortunately with doctor patient confidentiality they'll probably not be up for that. On top of that, even though tons of people get this procedure every year, most are too ashamed to talk or post about it, even anonymously online like I am. I decided going into it though that I wanted to try to document every second of the recovery, no matter how gross and degrading, because I felt like I wanted even more info than the journals I'd been reading. It's probably excessive to a point but hey, hopefully it helps some other people some day since this should stay up indefinitely. The worst part of recovery is the unknown in my experience.