My experience 5 weeks after Haemorrhoidectomy
Posted , 172 users are following.
After 5 weeks of doing the operation and especially after passing through some really horrible times of pain and misery I promised myself that I owe it to everybody out there to share my experience so that you can derive benefit out of it. I had suffered from haemorrhoids for 20+ years and it is only because I became severely anaemic due to blood loss from passing stools that I was forced to do the operation. With hindsight I could have avoided 20 years of misery, of lost sports, of severe discomfort in cars and planes by taking the plunge and doing it earlier.
First and foremost, Haemorrhoidectomy is a very common operation and albeit there is a very small percentage where things get complicated the cases are getting less and less each year. I'm saying this because each and every person that does this operation will pass through so much pain that instinctively he or she will think that they are one of the few that is unlucky.
Secondly the pain WILL PASS!
I repeat it WILL PASS!
The absolutely horrible, can't take it anymore, about to throw up, about to faint, never going to be the same, never going to be happy, stuffiness, bloated feeling, blade cutting through your backside pain WILL PASS!
Realistically a person who does this operation will experience two annoying factors namely pain and discomfort. In the first few days the pain is so bad that you cannot think of anything else including the discomfort. After that the pain between going to the bathroom will slowly subside but the discomfort will increase primarily due to constipation. Hereunder please find my tips and what I would do differently if I could go back in time.
1. Increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and water weeks before the operation to soften your stools and prepare your body for a life change. This diet change is a must EVEN AFTER the operation unless you’re a masochist and want to pass through it again.
2. Cut out anything that might make you constipated – research. This includes alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, refined foods etc.
3. Do a fresh water enema the day before the operation.
4. Do a list of all the things you missed out on because of your condition and promise yourself to enjoy life more after the operation and to take care more of your physical well being.
5. Mentally prepare that you are going to be in severe pain but also be aware that this is only temporary and that you’ll be tons better after that and the effort would have been worth it. Incidentally I was in excruciating pain for about 5 days, in agonising pain 5 days after that and in manageable pain 5 days after that. By the end of the second week I was 60% better. By the end of the fourth week I was 90% better with only the annoying leakage to take care of. By the end of the fifth week I’m 95% there.
6. Try and limit pain killer as much as possible as they will slow your digestive system and the resulting constipation is worse than the pain.
7. The feeling of still feeling massive haemorrhoids after the operation is normal. This is due to the swelling. The importance of having formed stools that are SOFT is important. Underline formed not diarrhoea as you need your system to re-function even if it means a little more pain.
8. The feeling of passing sharp blades during the first few days is unavoidable. This mixed with blood and excrement is not a pretty felling or site but I PROMISE YOU it will get better.
9. Keep the are dry otherwise you’ll develop sever rash – been there done that – more pain to avoid.
10. Keep moving. The more you move the better your digestive system works, the less laxatives, the less bloated feeling, the happier you will be.
11. Be prepared to go the bathroom at a moments notice.
12. Run a warm sitz bath often – it does wonders to sooth the pain
13. Squat not sit to pass stools. It’s easier to excrete, less painful and quicker. I’m still squatting and there is no way I’m going back to sitting. Before I sometime spent between 30 – 45 min on the loo. Now I’m in an out in 3 minutes.
14. Keep the area clean. Use a bidet, shower or whatever you want. Use only toilet paper to pat dry the excess water. Again with hindsight this should be norm. After all if you covered you hand in excrement you wouldn’t simply wipe it off with toilet paper but you’d wash the hell out of it.
15. Drink lots of water and take a reasonable amount of fibre. Taking fibre without water is a recipe for disaster.
16. You are going to have to live with sanitary pads for a few weeks until the area heals sufficiently. It will get gradually better. I have gained a new respect for women who have to wear these things once a month; very annoying.
17. After you recover promise yourself to share your positive experience and the things that worked out for you on a blog for the benefit of others. It’s kind of a chain get better advice blog.
18. Most important of all – KEEP POSITIVE and take care of your health. You only have one body.
36 likes, 343 replies
anastasiya62970 glen79281
Posted
Good morning,
This thread is quite old, but thought I’d contribute my story to recovery.
Summary:
I am a 25 year female, active. I run 13-14 miles a week, get plenty of water, but somehow fate of external hemmorroid came to me about a year ago. I would say some of it is my fault. I lifted heavy weights and when it first appeared, I failed to see a doctor. I didn’t think anything of it and eventually, it grew bigger. Now, finally, doc said I need surgery, so I went with it.
Summary of surgery:
1. Surgery happens October 17, 2017
2. I had one external removed.
Recovery:
1. Initial thoughts after surgery is “everything will heal, I got this”. Day after surgery “o my god. What is this, how can I deal with this, I’ve never had this pain before.”
2. I’d like to point out I did not kept on with pain killers, they cause stomach aches for me and I am not big into pain killers as a whole; to not get addicted.
3. First week -> probably the most I have cried or talked to universe around me. Level of pain was a 10. Especially that first bowl movement. I should have kept a better journal of pain and how often it would come and go.
4. I was at work the next day, I can work remote, so for me, I didn’t have to take a bunch of time off.
5. Sitz bath are life saver. Each and every time before and after going, it helped, tremendously. Don’t be afraid to go in a bath, you gotta do whatever to make it smoother and cause less damage.
6. Preparation mentally that it will hurt has to be present at all times, but please breathe through it all. It does help.
7. I used creams to soften the area a bit. Desitin .. is what doctor gave me.
Second week after surgery:
1. At one point, pain got to be unbearable. I broke down. Went to the doctors to have it checked out. All looks well, as he said. The swelling is ridiculous and it just looks gross.
2. Pain level, remain steady. Bathrooms are hell and just never want to be there. Squatting absolutely helps, but not much when you have a big one coming...
3. Bleeding is normal. It’ll keep on happening.
Anyway, let’s forward to now month 2:
1. Pain remains when I go. It can get bad some days. Still use sitz bath on occasions.
2. Desitin is a good friend now.
3. Swelling subsided, but sphincter muscles are swollen and still feels as bump is there. Doc says it’s much smaller, but never says if it’ll go away for sure.
4. She did say that my bum will never be the same, and that, bums me out, especially being a healthy, young woman.
5. It causes psychological problems when it comes to being sexually active. 6. Not sure what else to do, but wait and trust it will smooth out in time.
Tips:
1. Healthy diet is a must. I chugged fiber like crazy to ensure I have bowl movement.
2. If I don’t have enough plants for the day, an apple a day is a must.
3. Run, jump, be active, your body needs it.
4. Be gentle with your area. Baby wipes are your savers.
Overall, I’d say this has been the worst experience of surgery so far. So many unknowns and not much you can do, but trust your body and doctors that pretty much do not pain the full picture for you.. of course; why would they.. no one would go through this..
robin56542 glen79281
Posted
I went through the surgery and I have picked the most experienced Dr in my city for Haemorrhoidectomy.
I would like to share my experience and add few tips which might help someone.
First few days are nightmare as suggested by everyone in this discussion. be prepared for it.
I was scheduled dressing everyday which is nothing but application of antibiotic, lubricant and a Pain killer injection (Diclofenac)
Tips from my Dr.
1) If you have trouble for urinating after surgery (normally first few days) drink Tea. Tea act as diuretic.
2) If you have trouble getting call for Bowel Movement. Drink couple of glass of Warm water first thing in morning and walk for 5 min.
Note: As per my Dr. make this a habit even after fully recovered, this will avoid future recurrence of Haemorrhoid
3) Eat more vegetables and fruits, have bowl of Papaya or any fibrous fruit between 10 am (between breakfast and lunch) and 4 pm (Between lunch and Dinner), also avoid food causing gas(Avoid oily, spicy, Potatoes, eggplant, onion and garlic)
4) There is no medicine for Burning sensation after BM, Warm Sitz bath is only option.
Tips from my experience
I had frequent BM (3-5 per day), I have noticed BM after 30 min of taking Pain killer was less painful.
paolo90344 glen79281
Posted
Hi everyone I always go to this site to check some tips from all who have undergo this surgery and see if there is any who were related to me. I had serious bleeding everyday from July 23 2017 - August 17 2017, so it was about 25 days I was bleeding streak everytime I use the toilet. at first 3 days I was crying thought it was cancer, btw I was in UAE that time and my employer didNt want me to go home, I was run in different hospitals for 4x due to bleeding and pain everywhere in my tummy specially the left and right side, I have hemorrhoids internals and external, before I can manage to push it back and the bleeding is only little whenever I eat so much junk, however july 23-august 17 is a much different incidents. my back and glute hurts I cant even walk properly those times. Different doctors have different opinions. First they check you for a digital rectal exam, some says I have anal fissure, some says acute hemorrhoids, some says rectal bleeding.
But when I got home here in philippines I didnt bleed for a month and that was a good relief, but still having cramping pains most of the time and it affects my day to day life, I go for a colonoscopy I didnt see all things because I was put to sleep, but my mom and wife saw most of it, there I was diagnosed with Chronic non-specific colitis and Internal hemorrhoids. I dont know if "Non-specific" is justifiable?? but Im pretty much confident that my colitis is cured because I only consider fish and veggies on meals I eat chicken meat sometimes. sweet potatoes on breakfast and boiled eggs most of the time. and Im much focused on my hemmies every bm However last month December 13 I bleed again after bm streaks of blood until December 25 and its my 13th day of bleeding, I tried to consult in a different doc and I was prescribed Dioxel more like daflon, and I take it every 6 hours, my right side and leftside hurt in a seperate time specially at night. the medicine had no effect at all. All I can do is pray and wait for a hemorrhoidectomy, the doctor said if this medicine doesnt work for the first week I have to take the operation. I dont know where the bleeding comes from all I know I have large internal hemorrhoid maybe 4 or 5 inside that bulge outside every time I go to the toilet like a size of strawberry everytime I poo and some large external ones. my only concern is "IM GOING TO HAVE THE SCHEDULE OPERATION TOMORROW" from a surgeon and not a colorectal surgeon actually. . . can they diagnose me right before or during the operation. I dont know anything because its my first time having this kind of surgery in my entire life, I was praying alot that I could overcome this condition and live a good life again after. I appreciate all the advice. and I keep you updated. .
patent92915 glen79281
Posted
Hi Glen,
I'm sorry to bother you with this awful issue from 2 years ago.
I recently had a hemorrhoidectomy and your advice has been the most comforting.
I have been through alot of sites and there aren't many motivational stories, I have seen a GP and a specialist and had this operation done two weeks ago.
Thank you for your encouragement and tips I have followed through on all of them and received much more relief.
However my case is different, I had this operation done because I suffered with severe anal itching, the GP treated me for a yeast infection, put me on deworm and suppositories creams ointments ice packs and antihistamine nothing stopped the itching. Once I had enough itching for 2 months everyday and night the surgeon had a look at the area he gave me the option of removing the internal hemorrhoids as he could see no other cause of this itching. Two weeks after the operation the itching is back. Did you suffer with itching before the operation? Is the itching just part of the healing process and I'm just paranoid? How long will it take to stop?
Im so desperate to have my life back. All this pain is because of the itching and I don't know what else to do. I'm starting to wonder if this operation was worth the pain, most people say I should have tried a cream for a yeast infection and continued with that. Please advise me if you have any knowledge on the itching.
Many thanks in advance.
michael87035 glen79281
Posted
Thanks
anna31035 glen79281
Posted
anna31035 glen79281
Posted
mandy90921 glen79281
Posted
Thanks for your info, I'm having my sh next week and dreading it if I'm honest. But will try everything you've advised. Fingers crossed x
vince17975 glen79281
Posted
Good god. I’m having a haemmoroidectomy tomorrow and after reading this I am in such a state of panic. I am not good with pain at all. So scared right now! 😭
c76863 glen79281
Posted
I had the surgery five days ago, three haemorrhoids removed. Not sure of the grade, one of them was much bigger than the other ones.
I have been fine in general EXCEPT when I have to do a bowel movement ... oh my, I think I had never felt so much pain in my life, as mentioned by others 11 in a scale 0 to 10. After that I cannot do absolutely anything but lay for half an hour. Then the pain goes away, I recover little by little until I am fine, just slightly uncomfortable, until the next BM. Is this what everyone experiences? Is this the pain you refer or is it also in between movements?
Another nasty effect is that for a couple of hours after the BM, I just cannot urinate, it feels as if the shock makes everything collapse down there. I drink litres of fluid and then ahhhh out it comes and the next one is easier.
I am dreading for this to go on for months :-( as some have reported.
Jonlb79 c76863
Posted
Yes. The bowel movements are painful, but the area around the anus is pretty sore too. I am having a difficult time peeing in general. (I'm a guy) So I've been kneeling in front of the toilet and that's kind of helping. For me it's difficult to sit or lay down or get back up. Pretty slow going, but it's just been almost exavtly 24 hours for me.
Jonlb79 glen79281
Posted
Well, I had the procedure yesterday afternoon. At first i thought all the comments were wrong and it was going to be easy breezy. Guess the meds they give you at the doctor don't wear off until the next day.
Today has been really rough. I'm taking the pain meds because the pain has been really bad. I had my first bowl movement today. I had so much fiber that it was definitely not well formed. It reminded me of mixing water and sand together.
The advice about squatting instead of standing was perfect.
Even though it's been pretty rough today, I'm still glad I did it. The pain will pass (you promised!) and it's better than my situation before where they were so bad I would actually start bleeding walking down the street. It happened 4 times in the last year, so I am very thankful that will all be behind me after a few short days of pain.
I just need it to be an 8 instead of an 11 and I will be ok.
michael87035 glen79281
Posted
My problems after the operation were compounded by a blood clot and AF I'm nearly in my third week now and you need to keep loose as if you block up the pain will make your eyes water. I haven't got a bath but when I can I stand in the shower and hose the area down with warm water, it adds relief and keeps things clean, which how ever hard I try, it hurts to much with toilet paper,
Because I ended up Casualty with more serious problems than the haemorrhoids, I can only say I'm sorry I had it carried out and hope it will all settle down, for me the pain for all the problems has been horrendous but I'm gradually improving, no more nappies!!
I will tell you how I feel if I reach three months.
Ollie234 glen79281
Posted
I am on way to have this procedure done, very nervous to say the least. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this it is very honest & very helpful x
vince17975 Ollie234
Posted
michael87035 Ollie234
Posted
I am know in my fourth week, no more nappies but still very sore, lots of laxatives to keep open, also still have traces of blood, more than I expect, people report differently and my complications haven't helped.
Yes improving but I want my Anus back.
Hope yours is going to be less of an ordeal
Ollie234 vince17975
Posted
Thanks vince, the surgery went well & I was pretty much pain free Friday with all the drugs they gave me. Yesterday the sensation came back & am experiencing 6/7 out 10 stinging & throbbing in that area, I can not sit down there is a lot swelling can only keep on the move on lay (on hip which is most bearable). It feels like I’ve been cut to shreds down there but haven’t been able to take a good look yet as fearful I will make the pain worse by parting my cheeks, what I can see does not look good, I hoping to god that’s just all swelling & will go down because I was expecting a normal bottom hole with no protruding lumps/bumps/flesh whatever it is visible 😥. Do or did you have any swelling, can you see yours? I had a large skin tag taken as well as some internal haemorrhoids. I haven’t been number 2 yet absolutely petrified even the thought makes me want to cry. I have been taking regularly warm showers & running the water gentle over the area that really helps the pain. I have had the paracetamol & 30mg codeine they gave but haven’t gone crazy on them just two lots yesterday also I’m taking the docusate they gave me aiming to have 3 times per day. I know I’m brewing to go to the toilet soon I can’t believe I haven’t gone yet I’m normally very regular. I hope your completely normal now after 11 ish days. What’s its like now? I can’t believe you say it was worse on day 7! How come I’m really scared now . Thanks millions though it’s good to share especially with people who have actually had it done x
Ollie234 michael87035
Posted
Thank you so much it’s only been almost 48hrs now & I am getting desperate for my bottom back already. The stinging throbbing pain is more constant now. Do you have any swelling? Does that area look normal well as normal as it can I’m guessing? I am just worried that what I currently see is what is going to be permanently there? Thanks for any advice guys x
vince17975 Ollie234
Posted
Hey Ollie glad that it’s been ok for you so far. I would definitely stop taking the Codiene medication immediately. That stuff will constipate you and when you go to the toilet it will be worse. The man that did my procedure is a professor and he’s been doing it for almost 40 years and that was rule number one, NO codiene! I also didn’t do number 2 until 3 days after my surgery so that is normal. So don’t worry about that.
I also had trouble peeing throughout the first week and that is normal too so if that’s happening to you don’t worry about it. The professor said that day 5 is the peak of the pain when defecating and he was correct. Day 5 and 6 were terrible ( only after poopies) but other than that it wasn’t so bad. By day 10 everything is hunky Dory (Australian slang for all good). The only thing now is that there is still some blood when pooping but it stops almost immediately so don’t be alarmed when u see a heap of blood in the toilet bowl. Also I have a lot of puss (discharge) that seems to keep bloody oozing but that’s normal too apparently. It is now day 12 and it is very itchy but that means the healing has started. I was very swollen too but that should be gone by day 10-11. I didn’t look at it at all because open wounds give me the creeps. The only time I feel like it is swollen and lumpy is just after I go to the toilet for a couple of hours but then it subsides.
I can’t say don’t worry about pooping because I was like a wreck before I had to go because it was painful but that also allieviated after day 10.
I seriously thought it was the end of the world and that I would be in pain, swollen and scared forever, but as stated here but others it does actually go away. Good luck with your recovery and if you are still worried or got any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. I am happy to help in any way I can. I am a Haemorrhoidectomy survivor! Lol 😊