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
SRBall glen79281
Posted
Hi Glen
Just wanted to thank you for the uplifting words. I'm at day 4 after my procedure and I was beginning to wonder if there was a light at the end of the tunnel (for want of a better phrase!) as I'm bloated, constipated, occasionally in pain and generally feeling blue. Its the constipation that I hate the most. I feel like I need to go but all I end up with is 20 minutes wasted and a few browny red blobs the loo basin.
Your words haven given me comfort and hope that soon it will be better, and after that better than it ever had been. No more razor blades, no more blood. Just normal motions like everyone else.
I hope you are well through this now and enjoying life without limitations.
Thank you.
margie68342 glen79281
Posted
i am 4 days post op hemorroidectomy, almost wishing i hadnt done the surgery. is stomach bloating normal ? i feel like my stomach is hard and huge ! im taking a plexus supplement that keeps me regular, drinking lots of water, eating fruits and vegetables and not eating a whole lot
the pain after pooping is excruciating ! please tell me it gets better !
thx
margie
jan12722 margie68342
Posted
I was bloated on and off for 1-2 weeks after surgery because my BM's were not what they normally were prior to surgery; I was always very regular. My surgeon had me on a low fiber/bland diet for 2 weeks, along with a stool softener and Metamucil 3 times a day. I've seen posts here where people have a large intake of natural fiber after surgery which I was told not to do. The water soluble fiber (Metamucil) made a huge difference and still does now; I'm 9 weeks post-op. Avoid gas producing fruits and veggies, they will do more harm than good during your recovery. Hang in there, it'll get better!!
briana85175 glen79281
Edited
I thought I would reply to this topic. Today makes 4 weeks since the 2 tags have been removed. The first week is a definite, Never again; however, I am a little discouraged. I drink more than enough water, my diet has an ample amount of fiber and yet my body tries to involuntarily strain and every now and again, I may see red swelling and it is so small, it is barely noticeable which is good, but that was the point to get the operation not to see a small lump. Every person is different but some things don't change. How many weeks should I expect swelling?
briana85175 glen79281
Posted
I am 5 weeks and still experiencing minor swelling caused by movements and pain..not nowhere as excruciating as the beginning stages but I feel I have stepped into a "swelling phase". How long did it take for the pain and swelling to go away for you?
louise49399 glen79281
Posted
Hi thank you for this, im just wondering at which point did you have you first BM? I had the surgery a day ago and i feel the pain and numbness, almost like i need to go for a BM but nothing comes out. thank you
DavidWhy glen79281
Posted
the biggest surprise for me was trouble urinating. in fact, i was pretty certain, leading up to the surgery, that my prostate gland was involved because then too, urine was blocked...
turns out, it is just PAIN. Pain squenches up the anal sphincter which, in turn, squenches up the urinary sphincter...
had to soak in a warm sitz bath in order to "unlock the valve" in fact, at first, i had to let go, IN, the sitz bath. that got better, but, not consistently/uniformly... i am on day 3, my most painful day, so far. BESIDES being the day of my first B. M... i laugh at the "don't push" rule... it was more like a mandatory ejection! great pain, but great accomplishment... then a break, then a second "ejection". 4 hours of "labour" to void everything, both ways... HOWEVER, I have had 4 hours or stress coping with my Grade 3 haemorrhoids, leading up to the surgery... that is, in fact, why i had the procedure... i couldn't make a living under the circumstances!
today's experience is worse than my symptoms before, but, THIS will end as i heal, instead of getting steadily worse!
elka50393 glen79281
Posted
Thank you for your detailed experience, at least I see whatever I am feeling is normal, 13th day now after I had the THD hemorroid removal surgery, I suffered a few years and like you a lot of blood loss , that is why I decided to go for it.
I had no clue how bad my situation was until after the surgery when the doctor said from a scale of 1-10 mine was 7.
I will be very honest and say it is a very painful recovery, but I am looking forward to the end of this episode.
I ask myself all the time if it was worth the pain to go through this surgery, but I am not yet up to the point to say yes it was, because even though it is a very slow recovery it is a painful recovery, so I can't wait to write on this forum my positive and encouraging post.
I am unable to go back to work as of yet because my mornings are so difficult after BM until the pain subsides, from the bath to zits baths to witch hazel to sitting on ice to sitting on an ice pack to advil takes me at least 3-4 hours to be somewhat pain free.
Patients should know there is a feeling of inflamation and a burning feeling after surgery, but it also depends on how bad the hemorroid situation was, each individual person is different, I read up a lot of peoples experience with THD surgery and only saw positive remarks that is why I went with this type of surgery, however I did'nt think it was going to take more then a few days to recover as people had written on the THD page of my doctor.
I did have a severe case of the disease, so I have, I guess a longer recovery
Drug350 glen79281
Posted
OMG !!!!! I'M SCARED TO DEATH !!!!! I need surgery and I'm trying to find the best longterm outcome with least amount of pain. I have read nothing good about "stapling" so I'm NOT even considering it. I've had two doctors strongly advised me to steer clear of this procedure so I'm looking at standard hemorrhoidectomy or HALO. Up until I found this website today, I was under the impression that HALO was a million times less painful than the Milligan / Morgan procedure. I was being told "have HALO on Friday, back to work Monday" and I planned on going this route even having to travel out of state to get this procedure. But on this website, it appears that HALO is every bit as painful and complex. Now I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm "hyper sensitive" to pain and if a normal person feels a 9 for this procedure, I'll be at 15 (even though 10 is the highest). I don't believe I'll be able to receive the kind of pain control I'll require and I'm at a complete loss. Why isn't there something better ???
stephanie81808 glen79281
Posted
Ok so I'm 5 weeks after my surgery and I am still miserable. I have up to 10 or more bowel movements a day and they are pencil thin. which causes me to be in constant pain. Also does anyone's pain move in to their vaginal area? It makes it so hard to pee without getting into the tub. Will this ever end!?
kelly2345 stephanie81808
Posted
I'm about 7 weeks post op with very thin stools too. My doctor says its the scar tissue keeping the muscles from opening up. I believe it's called stenosis. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible about your problem. I'm having a procedure done in a couple of days to rip apart that scar tissue to allow easier movements. After these last 7 weeks of pain I am terrified. But I'm also still taking painkillers everyday just to survive so this can't go on. I just hope I'm on the road to recovery after this procedure.
dave01481 glen79281
Edited
i have just got my hemorroidectomy done as i was constantly bleeding after every bm, had it done last friday, had 2 surgically removed and 2 ligated , everything went well but the PAIN IS VERY REAL!, i am taking pain meds 6 hourly and fibre and laxative tonics, every bm is extremely painful but i have a solution to it - hot shower and a hot water bottle after gives some comfort. i cant wait till stitches fall off as its giving me discomfort, thanks for sharing your experiences with this disease and treatment gives us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. its been 6days post op now i pray for complete cure for us all.
paula7767 glen79281
Edited
So pleased I came across your article. I'm 5 weeks post op and still in pain. Like you I've not taken pain killers for the last 2 weeks and the pain after bowel movement lasts a few hours!!
All that you said I can relate too. Ive had lots of warm salt baths and use shower to clean not toilet paper.
I was prescribed stool softener for 6 weeks and try to drink 2 - 3 litres of water, eat fruit & veg, also soft prunes/figs.
I still have an open wound outside which is a little concerning but due telephone consultation end of next week so will mention it to Dr.
Thanks again for blog as it's made me feel that I'm not suffering alone and that things will be better in to long run.
Wishing everyone a speedy recovery
ravs22366 glen79281
Posted
thank you for sharing. if at wll youre still here would you advsie if you did laser surgey? and are the after effects the same as normal surgery?! i am day 7 after laser surgery and i feel some lumps or like poop stuck in my anus. pooping is painful but i am doing everything else like y
Myinder glen79281
Posted
Hi My name is Inderjeet i was suffering from piles since 12years but from 3 4 years when ever i go for poo i see blood coming out in large quantities and some time it it does not stop for more than 5 to 7 minutes than some time i manage and get out from seat so there will be pressure this was on and off but 7 months back when i went for cbc my HB was 4.5 my doctor ask me to get admit and he pit me 5 bottles of blood in 3 days than now like 20 days before again i have a heavy blood loss than i finally decided to get it operated and i saw a advertisement on social site and book the appointment through some 3rd party, when i met the doc after the check up he said your piles is on 3rd stage i told doc i want to make it fast and finish this and 2nd day i get admitted in hospital and done the laser treatment .... here is a twist after 5days of my laser treatment 6th day when i went to washroom to pass stools instate of stool i saw blood clots coming i got scared and told to my wife she have a friend who work in a big hospital she discussed with her surgeon he said some time blood clots is common nothing to worry but it not stop here for 2 days continuously i am facing the same than she again talk to her surgeon and told me to go to your surgeon and do a routine check i went to my doc who did my surgery he check and said nothing to worry small amount of blood is coming and its getting deposited and when you passing the stool its coming out. but after 4th day of routine check up problem not solved than again went to doc he ask me to get admit and we will again examine properly and check for that i have to give you Anastasia again but there will only a examination nothing else i was little discomfort and scared because 12 days back only i went through all and now again than also i manage my self and in this my wife support me a lot she was convinced me a lot and gave a lots of encouragement thanks to her. i finally get admitted again and all my blood test was done my HB was 7.2 now and after 1st surgery 12days back it was 13.5 something ....... i went to OT i was scared but any how i managed i took Anastasia and after 25 minutes doctor said done i asked him in OT only what happened he said i cut and remove your piles now you will be fine and given a stitches i was shocked and i cross question doc was the 1st operation was unsuccessful he denied but i knew it was his failed operation on 1st thats why he did 2nd in 12days and i lost my money, energy, 50% blood, time and specially what i went through in this 12 days and again i have to suffer from pain don't know for how many weeks ..... and let me tell you one thing i am not financial strong i borrow koney from my relatives for my operation because i am job less since lockdown till now and when doctor told me that we will do examine on 2nd time i called the third party from whom i was taking all treatment i told him clearly boss i cant effort now he said sir hardly 6000rs not more that its only a examination we need to see why you getting blood clots but at the time of discharge bill amount was 6 times more what he said i literally cried over the phone and told him i have remove my clothes and sit out of the hospital and bagge from people to pay your bills because hospital was not ready to give discharge untill i clear my bill they were right on there place because it was not there fault it was the 3rd party from which i took this facility and because of there failure operation i need to suffer but now i am at my home and taking rest