Hemorrhoidectomy Long-term Complications

I am a 41-year old male in Washington state, USA

and I would like to share my disastrous long-term hemorrhoidectomy experience. Sorry this is long, but I need to let others know of the untold risks of this stupid surgery that has ruined my life. At the time I’m writing this post, it’s been eight months since I had my surgery.

Long story short, I suffered from bleeding internal hemorrhoids for several years and ended up in emergency room due to becoming anemic. My colorectal surgeon and I agreed I needed surgery to remove them. This is after trying conservative methods and banding. There were two large internal hemorrhoids. Before the surgery I was warned about it being the most painful surgery and complete healing would take 4-6 weeks (it’s a big lie). I was told I could go back to work after one week (another nasty lie).

During surgery, two internal hemorrhoids were removed plus one external, which was related or connected to one of the internal hemorrhoids. This was a Ferguson closed hemorrhoidectomy based on what my surgeon explained before and after the surgery.

My healing continued much longer than 6 weeks. I suffered from extreme pain during bowel movements for several months, mucous discharge that continued over 7 months, skin tags that formed after the surgery, abscess around the external wound, and fecal incontinence. Surprisingly, I had minor bleeding after the surgery only for 3-4 days.

I visited my surgeon at least once a month and she couldn’t perform an examination until 4 months post op because of extreme pain around my anus. I still had wounds that were not completely healed (related to busted stitches). During examination I bled. My surgeon said she couldn’t find anything abnormal, but there was still some healing going on with inflammation of scars.

After that visit, I had more complications with pain, increased mucous discharge, and an abscess near the external scar, which looked like a fistula. So, the surgeon recommended examination under anesthesia (EUA) with possible Botox injections for fissure treatment or fistula surgery.

I had my EUA done exactly 6 month after my hemorrhoidectomy. In recovery room, I was told my hemorrhoidectomy wounds were normal and healed and no fissure or fistula were found, but my anal mucosa skin cracks easily and the surgeon performed Botox injection to address it. The surgeon told me my skin is “friable”.

After the EUA, I ended up with a new and deep crack located in the posterior anal area. It still hasn’t healed and it bleeds a lot if I push during bowel movements. It burns all day long. I believe this skin crack happened by mistake during EUA when the surgeon used a rectal retractor, and she came up with lousy excuse my skin is “friable”.

Now at 8 months post op, my complications are getting worse:

1. fecal incontinence: I leak feces for hours after each bowel movement and when I pass gas. I have to go to bathroom as soon as I feel the urge. After bowel movements I have to check every hour and make sure I’m clean down there. My surgeon thinks I have pelvic muscle dysfunction and need physical therapy.

2. Large skin tag: this initially wasn’t a major problem, but after EUA it got larger and it has become worse combined with fecal incontinence. It makes it very difficult to clean after bowel movements. Feces get stuck around and under it and I have to use half a pack of baby wipes each time. This issue combined with fecal incontinence is driving me insane. If I’m at home, I have to go to shower after every bowel movement to clean and the water pressure alone is not enough to clean the area.

3. Flatulence: I’m not able to control my gas and it is embarrassing.

4. Occasional painful bower movements.

5. Mental effects of this surgery!!!!!

I was a very active person, and because of the issues above, I can’t go anywhere and can’t do intense workout or weight lifting. Going to bathroom at public places and keeping myself clean is a challenge. I am still at the merci of COVID-19 and my employer allowing me to work remotely most days, but that will end soon.

Additionally, I don’t eat enough because of fear of bowel movements and I have lost over 20 lbs.

I am very concerned about what happens when I get older with possible mobility issues. I live in the USA and I’m lucky to have health insurance now, but the state of our healthcare system is a disaster and I don’t know what future holds.

Think twice before you go through this surgery. Doctors don’t explain the risks (at least in my case). This surgery has ruined my life and it has drastically affected my family as I have serious limitations and can’t go outdoors or travel. When I look at my anus in the mirror, it looks like it’s been butchered…

This surgery was the biggest mistake of my life and I regret it!

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