Hemorroidectomy 9/27 - sharing my experience thus far!
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi everyone! I’ve been stalking this page like it was my bible. Thank you to everyone who has left comments and stories about their own experiences. It has truly made such a difference and thankfully has made me feel not so alone. Backstory: I’m 36 and decided to finally go through a hemorroidectomy. One of the many gifts from childbirth was obtaining these little devils. I had a couple, smaller, external ones from my first delivery but my second really did me in. After delivery I was in substantial pain, not from delivery but from my newly found presents. They were the only things I could feel through the epidural while giving birth.
My surgeon recommended a hemorroidectomy with a colonoscopy. So I had to prep a few days beforehand. Arrived for surgery on 9/27. I woke up okay, with no pain. Went home - thought wow - I can tolerate this - not too bad. I didn’t realize at the time they had given me a very strong numbing agent that would here soon wear off...and it did - around 8pm that evening. Hell had started. It was awful, the most torturous pain imaginable. Thankfully, he had given me some pretty good pain relief ocycodone/acetaminophen 7.5 - 325 with the 5% lidocaine and Gabapentin. Unfortunately it didn’t help. It took the slightest edge off - the first night I couldn’t sit, stand or lay down. I dozed off a few times on the sitz bath with my pillow. I have been on colace and Benefiber. Didn’t use the bathroom for a few days which is common with colonoscopy but when I finally did go after taking a few doses of miralax, it was brutal. Little razor blades and shards of glass. I used the sitz bath to help go and I have been using it since. I was surprised by how small, soft my movements were with the pain experienced. I was pale, sweaty, and honestly pretty sure I almost passed out. I have been using perennial cold packs, rotating Motrin with the pain pills. Unfortunately the lidocaine has no effect on me - just burns but never numbs. This has been an experience and I’m sure this experience is not even close to being over but at least today - is the first day I feel on the road to recovery.
Just a side note on why some experiences seemed to be so different. My surgeon explained that if you have internal hems they can do the procedure with very limited pain due to the nerves further up in the rectum whereby external hems are only removable through excruciating surgery. The pain is so severe due to the nerves at the bottom of the rectum. Thankfully, my surgeon was very honest in preparing me for the recovery and pain, I believe his words were.."excruciating pain”.."worse than childbirth”... “most painful surgery you can have..” - I really appreciate his honesty because it really allowed me to emotionally prepare. With his pushing I took a week off work with the understanding I may need two. I am definitely the person who will push themselves, so again I appreciate his prodding to take the time off.
Any questions, please ask!
2 likes, 5 replies
sus62307 Susie42214
Posted
I was so relieved for you to read that this is the day when you're starting to feel like you're on the road to recovery! I wish you continued, smooth and complete healing as the days go on during your healing process. I am a fellow internal/external hems sufferer who is still contemplating surgery.
So, like your surgeon, about a week of agony is about how the surgeon I visited described it to me. He said I would hate him the week after surgery and everyone I've talked to who has had, or knows someone who's had, the surgery says it's awful, don't do it unless you absolutely can't live with the hems anymore. I believe those folks mean well, but they don't have the fleshy lumps that burn and ache like my hems do.
I very much appreciate reading your description of the pooping pain, and your surgeon's explanation of why the external hems removal is so painful. One surgeon told me it's not like any other surgery because you can't rest your anus and anal area like you can with other body parts. They have to heal while they're succumbing to being used. That made sense to me.
Like you, I keep following all these posts and read them religiously, as I struggle to determine whether to do the surgery, or keep on trying to manage the hems. Mine are from carrying a lot of weight during pregnancy, and by delivering three very large babies to the world.
I hope you have a good day today, and I hope to read of your continuing surgery healing days. Thank you.
Susie42214 sus62307
Posted
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I too contemplated for a few months before finally getting the courage to move forward. I figured the pain would be intense but it wouldn't last forever. At my first appointment, prior to meeting with surgeon, I was prepared to get the surgery. Then after speaking with him - I was terrified but honestly, it was his nurses that assured me I could handle it. They gave me the assurance and confidence that while it was immensely painful - it doesnt last forever. That if I followed the recovery instructions, I would be okay. Currently the pain has drastically decreased. Using the restroom is still uncomfortable and a bit painful - nothing like it was the first few times. I personally feel by staying off my feet and resting has helped me maximize recovery. I say go for it with the understanding that you will need the time to fully dedicate to yourself for healing. Make sure you have a surgeon who will prescribe decent pain meds ( if they dont, run far away very quickly as they most certainly are sadistic). 😃
lou101 sus62307
Posted
i suffered with them for 11 years. i have been in surgery to get them banded 7 times! no idea why they didn't d the haemoroidoctomy years ago, wasted money and time. last time the surgeon said he didn't think it would work as they were so big.
so i got mine done on the 27th too. pains have been the bain of my life. I'll let you know if all this is worth it ha. but I'm not going to lie, it's brutal!
lou101
Posted
it meant to say piles not pains!
sus62307 lou101
Posted
Got it..."piles" is what my Dad used to call his. Ugh...when you say you're not going to lie, I appreciate that very much. I do want the honest truth! It's the "brutal" part makes me feel like I just can't do it! But oh, to feel down there and not feel the grape sized lumps and actually see my body as it was before all this....that'd be an amazing accomplishment.
Please keep in touch about your progress, and eventually, would you please share your "was it worth it?" perspective.
Wishing you a healing, peaceful day. Thank you.