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
robert37131 glen79281
Edited
Six weeks after the Stapled Hemhoroidectomy I get the most excruciating pain after every BM.
I’m trying to eat as little as possible to cut down on the times I need a BM.
It’s absolutely guaranteed that after a BM I shall be in agony - and it’s the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I’ve read in other comments not to take pain killers - that’s something I could not do, in fact I almost overdose on tramadol as I just cannot suffer the pain. It wouldn’t be uncommon for me to take 12 tramadol in the immediate aftermath of a BM. What I’ve come to know is that after a whole night of pain and lying in bed the pain will be gone in the morning. I try to limit my BM’s to two a week. I am so low at the thought this won’t ever change but I still try to hope it will get better sometime.
My only problem is the level of pain after a BM. The days between BM’s are really ok.
I was not warned as to the levels of pain this op would bring me ...... would I do it if I had my time over again? ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
theresa66255 glen79281
Posted
robert37131 theresa66255
Posted
If you don’t want to read the TRUTH buy the beano !!
justin00163 glen79281
Posted
Yes the pain will definitely pass, I'm on week 3, and the pain has gone down tremendously, the first two weeks was Jesus Take Me pain but like everyone says, take stool softeners a couple times a day, drink lots of water, and eat fruits, vegetables and soft cooked meals, not too many carbs because that might plug you up a little, I'm I soo happy because my poops are soo much better and easier to pass week 3. Stay in good spirits, keep your mind distracted from the pain, get Netflix and chill, and don't be afraid to cry it out a couple times, I know I did. I'm not good with pain and yes it does hurt but believe me, it will pass! I'm soo glad I did this surgery, best decision I've made in a long time!Dilly dilly
theresa66255 justin00163
Posted
theresa66255
Posted
I go to surgery in two weeks and I'm scared. I have a fissure tear and externals.
justin00163 theresa66255
Posted
I had large externals, in fact my doctor said out of all her patients, my hemorrhoids were the second largest and worst she had seen, which did not give me much comfort lol. Don't work yourself up too much about this surgery, yes the first few days suck but it's not pain all day, it comes in waves but it will go away. Don't let people on this forum to work you up, this procedure works! Of me I could give you the best advice, it would be do everything that the doctor tells u too, especially take the stool softeners! You will be ok and I'm going to pray for you Theresa!
justin00163 theresa66255
Posted
Also, the narcotic pain killers cause constipation, everyone is different but I only used them for the first week and a half and then went to Ibuprofen. You will know or test your self to see if you can stop taking the narco's
theresa66255 justin00163
Posted
Thank u Justin. I'm worried about that BM. What exactly should I eat? Soups? What kind of soup. Chicken noodle gets old. Ha. I stay in pain every BM I have now. It's always a battle. I always hurt afterward because I have a fissure tear.
justin00163 theresa66255
Posted
Hey Theresa sorry it took so long for me to reply, soups are good I did like the chunky Campbell's chicken noodle and fruits vegetables and lean chicken, but small portions of chicken, I also did things like applesauce, and like I said before I did a stool softener in the morning and at night, I'm 4 weeks after the surgery and the bowel movements still sting but don't hurt that much, a little sore for about 30 minutes afterwards, but everyone's different, you really just have to listen to your body and go through kind of a trial and error of things that help you or hurt you and you will find the perfect balance, I hope this helps and if you have any more questions I'll try to get back to you ASAP
theresa66255 justin00163
Posted
Thank u Justin, I'm getting real nervous my surgery is next Monday. It's getting closer @ closer. I have a fissure plus external hems. I dread the BM part. I will have to take the pain pills because I'm having another procedure done, rectocele surgery. For a prolapse colon. So I'm having 3 procedures at one time. Can I still drink my morning coffee? I plan on soups @ oatmeal. Thanks again for replying.
Benjamin2018 glen79281
Posted
Thanks for the post Glen.
May i know what kind of surgery you went for. Was it the conventional (old school) hemorrhoidectomy also known as closed/open hemorroidectomy? ... In my case, i had a 3rd grade internal / external and i went for the stapled hemorrhoidopexy, since one feels less pain in it. Most of the pain and burning sensation subsided after 3 weeks of surgery. All went well for the first 3 months. Things almost went back to normal. I was back on the road, travelling. There was no bleeding or burning sensation. And then problems started to show up , when i started masturbating from the end of the 3rd month. Swelling and burn came back , most of which is internal, followed by bleeding. Tried sitz bath , but didn't help. It's been four months now after the surgery and things seems to be deteriorating. I never knew that masturbation can bring piles back. Gonna pay a visit to the surgeon tomorrow.
robert37131 glen79281
Posted
I don’t suppose too many would discuss the fact that masturbating would cause anyone problems with a Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy but you might just have reassured a few men that they are not alone if they’ve experienced a similar problem. I can’t say if any form of sexual activity will cause me trouble because I’ve felt so unwell that sex has never been in my mind at all.
Maybe in the future I’ll be full of fear if sex becomes a painful issue !!
Anyone know a good divorce lawyer ? 😀
amy_97178 glen79281
Posted
5th day post op and it’s been the worst. I also had a hysterectomy & bladder lift at the same time but NO pain from that surgery. Mine were cut out I don’t know the dimensions or how many I never got to speak to my doctor bc I took so long to wake up! I Finally had a b.m. This morning, I was ready to call the doctor today bc of the constant rectal bleeding but after reading this blog it appears normal. Oddly after my bm the bleeding seems less... Bleeding from pressure maybe ? Heat seems to help - I’m wondering about epsom salt baths ?
justin00163 amy_97178
Posted
Yes sitz baths help but ask ur doctor if he thinks ur ready for those, they told me to wait a week, I'm on my third week and I will tell you that the pain does get less and less and you will heal a little bit every day but yeah the first few days are hell there's no other way to describe it, there's a lot of women on these forms that say the surgery is worse afterwards than having birth but again the pain will go down I still have a little bit of pain with bowel movements and a tiny bit of bleeding but it is definitely getting better, there is relief and you will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, God bless I will be praying for you and everybody on this form
amy_97178 justin00163
Posted
Thank you! Today was the worst & had me very depressed. Had to re-group a little and hearing other people’s personal experiences is a huge help. And yes after 3 children I can say this has been the worst experience! I hope you continue to heal well also.
robert37131 amy_97178
Posted
You are very early into your recovery so I wish you well. I also hope that all of the horror stories you might read online and on this thread don’t become a reality to you as I’m sure many of us are different and surely some folk must have an easy recovery without all the after effects and problems.
My own post op journey has been one of utterly horrendous pain and the very early reappearance of external haemhorroids, bleeding and excessive pain after every bm- I really do hope no one else suffers as badly as I have.
I was back at the hospital today (Friday) for a check up and to see what is causing my ongoing pain but the doc couldn’t do the manual inspection due to the pain I was in so he has put me on the list to be readmitted and to be put under general anaesthetic in order to go back in and look to see what might be causing the pain. He said I may have a fissure. Whatever the cause, I have been ground down so much by the pain that I really cannot take much more - but I do live in hope that there is a cure.
This is me 10-12 weeks post op !!
theresa66255 robert37131
Posted
Hi Robert, sorry u are having all this pain after your hem surgery. I have a fissure and it does cause pain @ burning. Every BM I have to go to bed
For pain. For 8 hrs afterward. I have surgery Coming up Monday. I'm scared. But from what I've read about the LIS surgery it works. My fissure pain is horrible. I wish u the best.
robert37131 theresa66255
Posted
I seen a consultant a few days ago and he suggested I might have a fissure so he has said I’ll be going in so they can check if it is or not. I’ll be getting this done under general anaesthetic to check for sure.
Good luck with your op - I hope all goes well. Try not to worry because that’ll only give you stress that you can do without - generally all these ops go well so try not to worry - it’s pointless.
Let us know how things go and please believe there are people who will be hoping for the best for you.
Bob
theresa66255 robert37131
Posted
Thank u Bob. I'm stressing surgery is Monday. Here already. My fissure is so painful I hope surgery helps. 8 hours of pain after every BM is not fun. Ha. I will keep everyone posted. The first BM after surgery is what concerns me. BM now is so hard to complete. It's because I have a prolapse colon which they will fix that Monday too. 2 Docs 3 surgeries. Rectocele, external hems and fissure.