Hemorrhoidectomy Post-Op

Sharing here since I know everyone's experiences are vastly different, and are very individual to the person. I've seen plenty of horror stories, but I wanted to share my not-so-horrific experience with my hemorrhoidectomy (so far). Reading the horror stories gave me fear and anxiety, but I now have my own experience to share and I hope it helps you make an informed decision if you are considering this procedure.

BACKGROUND

I'm a 29 year old female, 5'4" and 130 lbs. Very healthy overall. I eat clean 90% of the time and I workout at the gym (mostly weight and resistance training) 5-6 days per week. I rarely get sick and I consider myself to be a healthy and active individual.

HISTORY

I had irritable bowels throughout my childhood. My sensitivity to food has decreased with age, and I can now tolerate more foods in moderation (e.g. dairy products). My hemorrhoid issues started during my training for a marathon. I completed the marathon, but suffered from thrombosed hemorrhoids and an anal fissure as a result of all the stress and pressure I but my body through. Blood covered and filled the toilet bowl when I went. The night after I completed my marathon, I cried myself to sleep due to the pain. I was too embarrassed and too scared to see a doctor for my issues. At the time, I was living alone in NYC and did not have any family or friends to take care of me if I needed a serious procedure. This is NOT an excuse. If you are suffering, please seek medical aid immediately and DO NOT wait like I did. I probably could have avoided so much pain, discomfort, and complications if I had taken care of it long ago. After a couple of weeks, the swelling eventually decreased, but I was left with chronic hemorrhoids and an anal fissure that would open at any point in time, no matter how much fiber or how good my diet was. My anal fissure would open simply walking around in heels for a night, passing normal gas, or simply just urinating. My hermorrhoids would swell after every single bowel movement, and would stay swollen for 2-3 hours afterward. I would have to tough it out and go to the gym with swelling every morning.

A couple of years later, I had a parasitic infection in my stomach, and was frequenting the bathroom 5-6 times per day. My hemorrhoids and fissure were causing me so much pain, I went to the urgent care clinic. My infection was eventually resolved with some strong antibiotics, but it was the final push I needed to demand a solution from my gastroenterologist. He had previously put me on a regiment of sits baths, enemas, and procto-foam with no results or progression in my healing for two weeks. After my parasite infection was resolved, he referred me to a colorectal surgeon. I needed 2 tags removed from the outside, and 1 from the inside (prolapsed). He also suggested botox for my anal fissure.

WEEK OF SURGERY

My doctor had me take 1 dose of Miralax each day for 5 days leading up to the surgery. I also fit in as much fiber as I could within my diet (e.g. dark greens like spinach and kale). I continued my normal routine, other than having an IUD placed 3 days before my surgery. IUD insertion pain is the WORST. I felt like crying, vomiting, and passing out all at once while I had it done. It is NOT pleasant, but the pain is temporary. I was feeling mostly normal (with a tiny amount of soreness) the day of my hemorrhoidectomy surgery.

DAY OF SURGERY

I stopped eating at 2PM the prior day (did not feel like eating dinner, maybe because of nerves), and I stopped drinking water at midnight. Following my doctor's orders, I used a saline enema the morning of my surgery, and only had small sips of water before my procedure. After all of the pre-checks and IV, they brought me to the OR. In the OR, the doctor had me lay on my stomach with a cushion under my hips, and with my feet elevated. I was actually really comfortable and fell asleep almost immediately with sedated local anesthesia. I woke up in the recovery room, feeling "pressure" and soreness, but definitely not bad. They had me snack on ginger ale and saltine crackers to make sure I was not nauseous from the anesthesia. They also had me urinate (which was easy) and shortly after they discharged me. My fiance drove me home and also picked up my prescriptions for me. Once I got home, I felt sleepy but did not feel the need to nap. I still felt pressure, but was not uncomfortable. I did not need to take any medication the day of the surgery. I did however keep my foods very light. I had soup and crackers for lunch, and a spinach + fruit smoothie for dinner. I did not have any trouble walking around, though standing for too long gave me slight discomfort. I went to bed with a slight urge to have a bowel movement, but my doctor STRONGLY recommended to wait the day after surgery to go again.

DAYS AFTER SURGERY

First day post-surgery, I woke up around 5am since the urge to go had become stronger. I used a sits bath on the toilet, and then proceeded with my bowel movement after. There was some slight pain, probably a 3 on a scale of 1-10, but I was able to go. It was not any worse than the pain I had already experienced living with hemorrhoids and an anal fissure. I took a warm bath immediately afterward, and started my medication regiment of a strong ibuprofen every 6 hours, and pain pill every 4 hours. I had heard from others to "stay ahead of the pain" so I took the medication even though I was feeling quite good. I also followed my doctor's orders for taking Metamucil 3x per day (followed immediately with 8 ounces of water), Miralax 1x per day, and 3x sits baths for 15 minutes each. I kept my food light again, and made sure to eat veggies, fruits, and whole-grain carbs. Throughout the day, I had some VERY slight discomfort, but did not find it unbearable or painful. Still walking around fine, and can stand longer without discomfort. I woke up sometime during the night to keep up with my normal schedule of medication.

The second day post-surgery was more or less the same. I tried to stop the pain medication, but felt too much "throbbing". It was more annoying than it was painful, so I continued with the pain medication. I followed the same regiment as the first day. I incorporated more normal foods into my diet. The pain medication made me sleepy, so I toke one or two naps throughout the day.

The third day post-surgery, I woke up from a very restful sleep (slept the whole night through 5am) without any pain or discomfort. Followed my normal routine of a bowel movement in the morning, followed by a 15 minute sit in the tub and then a shower. Following the same medication routine, although I find myself going longer without it. I went for a walk around the block and had breakfast at one of favorite cafes. Slight discomfort while walking but definitely manageable. Again, this discomfort and pain does not compare to the pain I went through previously in my life with my anal fissure and other issues.

CURRENT

I am so happy that I went through with this procedure. I am kicking myself for putting it off for so long, and for letting the horror stories alter my perception of what could happen. The truth is that you don't know what will happen, or how it will go. But I knew that I wanted to be done with the continuous, daily pain. The pain and discomfort that I am going through right now (albeit with the aid of medication) does not hold a candle to the pain of my earlier IUD insertion. This hemorrhoidectomy has been SO worth it to me.

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