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How long does the swelling last after hemorrhoidectomy?

Posted , 30 users are following.

MaxwellSmart
MaxwellSmart

Had hemorrhoidectomy on Decemeber 7th, 2017 and am still having issues with swelling. I had three internal grade 3 hemorrhoids removed and can feel large external swelling on my right side. Not sure if swelling is coming from internally or externally. Is this normal even after a month out?

Also, using the bathroom has become more difficult recently. It's like the first push to start pooping is an involuntary strain type spasm that I cannot control. My body is forcing and pushing and sometimes I have no control of it. I assume it's because of trauma to the area. Straining is obviously something I want to avoid so does anyone have input?

0 likes, 45 replies

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  • patent92915
    patent92915 MaxwellSmart

    Posted

    Hi Maxwell, hope that you recovered well.

    Were you able to get any answers?

    I am 29 days post op and feeling what seems to be a hemorrhoid. I had 3 internal, had them removed because of anal itching. I have read other forums with one article saying that's it due to swelling which lasts up to 8 to 12 weeks. Looking for more info.

    • MaxwellSmart
      MaxwellSmart patent92915

      Posted

      I'm not doing so bad but my goodness this is a LOOOOONG recovery... In my case I had three internals removed. The major swelling probably lasted for a month and then every so slowly began to go down over the course of the following month. I've noticed recently that whenever I pass gas, the gas is expelled in the left direction. Have been dealing with hemorrhoids for years, I've sort of used this as a compass to figure out where swelling was located. Before surgery, I had occasional issues with an external hemorrhoid on my right side but it always went away. I would say it occurred once every 2-3 months but recently I've been getting into the gym to try to become healthier again and it seems to be rearing it's head. This is extremely frustrating because I felt like I went through the finale of treatment to address my issue. I no longer have internals but to see this external one returning is beyond depressing. I guess I'll have to monitor my workout routine and see what happens. On top of the external (which I'm confident will go away as it usually did), I have skin tags where I assume my internals were removed. This doesn't bother me too much as I realize there was a chance they would occur with surgery. From what I've read, they can be easily removed and the recovery time would be a breeze in comparison to the hemorrhoidectomy. Other than that, I've been trying my absolute best to keep my head up. Some days it is harder than others. This past week has been difficult for me. I understand this is a long recovery and process but I would never wish this upon anyone. It feels more like a mental marathon rather than a physical one. Best of luck to you!

    • justin00163
      justin00163 MaxwellSmart

      Posted

      Thanks for the info, I'm on week 5 and still have swelling after poops too, I feel like I get 1% better every day, my surgery was exactly what u had, so what was ur total healing time?

    • justin00163
      justin00163

      Posted

      I get the involuntary straining too btw, soo awkward
    • pita123
      pita123 MaxwellSmart

      Posted

      Hey Maxwell, on the off-chance you are still checking this and not out living a great hemorrhoid free life, how are you doing now? I'm just now getting the terrible swelling after 2 weeks post op and I'm wondering how long I should expect until it goes down! What a horrible and long recovery this is!! Any advice re: swelling? 

  • Msnique1
    Msnique1 MaxwellSmart

    Posted

    The involuntary strain is unreal. I can only prepare for any time I go to the restroom , even for peeing. It does ruin my day when I poop as well due to onflam
  • dino87861
    dino87861 MaxwellSmart

    Posted

    I am in my 5th week of recovery. After the first few weeks I felt like I was making progress, but now I am stuck in the swelling phase.  After every bowel movement (sometimes 3-6 per day), the swelling starts. It ranges from uncomfortable to disabilitating. I am doing everything directed by my physician. Plenty of fiber, stool softeners, walking as much as possible and enough water (3-4 liters per day) that I am constantly peeing. 

    Am I doing something wrong? Does this phase never end?  I would love to get my life back, but it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

    • dino87861
      dino87861

      Posted

      I meant “debilitating”
    • pita123
      pita123 dino87861

      Posted

      Hey Dino, I'm totally stealing "the swelling phase". So accurate, very well put. I think I just got here myself 2 days ago, or about 2 weeks post op. Seems to be right around the same time frame as everyone else too. Feels like something is sticking out down there, is tender/ sore and makes wiping pretty much impossible. Deep pain I had for the first couple weeks is mostly gone now that we're in the "swelling phase". 

      How are you doing now? Any advice you can give me as to what I can expect time wise on this swelling going down? Anything special you're doing (or did) with creams ointments etc? I'm just still taking lots of epsom salt baths. The swelling isn't really getting any worse, but it's certainly not getting any better yet. 

    • christine_78577
      christine_78577 pita123

      Posted

      Hi. I've just reached my one week after operation. After bowel movement the pain is horrendous can you say how long this goes on for and is it normal. Wasn't given much guidance after op

    • 123gone
      123gone christine_78577

      Posted

      Hi Christine,

      I too am 8 days post op and my pain after BM can last a while. I had 3 internal removed but seem to have developed a heamorrhoid looking bump since yesterday. It is tender to touch, itchy and sore. It makes even walking difficult. I pray this is just post op swelling, not sure what to do, all BMs have been soft and over quickly. I tried icing it but it hasn't reduced any.

      Do you have a similar issue?

      This whole op and recovery is so depressing isn't it?

      Take care

    • christine_78577
      christine_78577 123gone

      Posted

      Hi yes I'm day 21 now and still I'm quite a bit of discomfort and can feel bumps and lumps. Hoping it's swelling

    • ash00413
      ash00413 123gone

      Posted

      hi,

      i have swelling as well, but i went and got it checked. it was apparently, skin tag left from surgery. but yes, after each bm, it swells up. i do sitz bath after each bm. clean up the area, and use polysporin cream with pain killer. That helps to soothe out the pain. also my dr said, the skin tag swelling will go down only gradually.

      tc

  • pita123
    pita123 MaxwellSmart

    Posted

    I'm curious, those of you that are experience this straining/ spasming, did you get a prescription for Valium as well as a pain med? 

  • justin00163
    justin00163 MaxwellSmart

    Posted

    yes you get prescriptions for pain pills but they can also be your enemy because they will bind you up, and possibly get you addicted, I stopped taking them after a week and a half two two weeks, there's not much you can do about the spasming it's kind of a natural thing afterwards and it doesn't last that long in my experience, but when they tell you that you're only going to be out of work for 2 to 3 weeks, that was a lie, I suffered for about 5 to 6 weeks after it and I still have a little pain from here and there, if you can, take off as much time as possible

    • pita123
      pita123 justin00163

      Posted

      Hey Justin. Looks like I am now in the "Swelling phase" as well here after about 17 days post op too. What a pain in the ass! The main pain I was feeling is gone now and its just the irritating feeling of something poking out down there. It's red and tender to the touch and makes it tough to sit. It's even a little irritating walking around. It feels like exactly what my hemorrhoids felt like pre-op when they would prolapse (I had 3 internal ones that would prolapse on a BM and then I'd push them back in). Very depressing to feel so similar to where I was pre-op after 17 days of intense post op pain. Encouraging though to see in this thread I'm not alone though. 

      Do you remember time-wise when your swelling went down? Does what I described sound like what you had as well? 

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