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
mariaTav glen79281
Posted
I've just been through my first night after the surgery...
Usually I am pretty good in handling pain, but the mere thought of passing stools gives me the chills!!!
I am taking a LOT of water, trying to rest as much as possible and praying for it to be over soon...
I am reading ppl talk about 5 months to recover and I am almost panicking... single moms can't afford that luxury!!!
oh well, let's hope for the best, right??
Thanks for the tips!!
SFlor mariaTav
Posted
No need to panic, take everything day by day. Don't do more than you have to right now - give your body the time that it needs. Of course we all get a little anxiety before havign a BM but make sure you don't have to rush, I took my phone into the bathroom with me everytime - just as a security measure but it made me feel better that I could call soemone if needed. I also left the door unlocked so my friend could come in if I was desperate. Didn't need either of those things but it made me feel like I had a Plan B. I used a Sitz bath full of warm water every day to help me relax right before a BM.
Great plan to keep up the water intake.
mariaTav SFlor
Posted
at night the pain increased considerably, the meds work but not as it was before... still no BM but, I am doing everything I can, specially no strain!!!
I think now is just wait and hope for the best...
it will pass...
june91785 glen79281
Posted
My God Glen the first half of your " book" described me to a T. The 1st week I really thought it would have been better not to have even stared this. Had trouble for years but Not once in my lifetime can I ever remember being constipated, quite the other way as I eat a high fruit and fiber diet and drink plenty of water. My normal daily habit is wake up run to the loo for a BM after breakfast same thing, after lunch same again and after supper ditto. I thought my problem was going tooooooo much. My surgeon said no this is excellent, so why did I get the dreaded haemorrhoids??? Hereditary the surgeon replied.????????????
Until I read your piece today I felt I was never going to be normal again.I could not move out of the house for the 1st 2 weeks, then went for short walk. Today I stopped all pain killers, but using the Anusol hydrocortisone cream. So perhaps I must give it a bit more time ?..looking to read what you wrote again, might read it everyday in order to give myself hope. Any suggestions please print, I for one will read them for sure.
Colongne glen79281
Posted
Colongne
jc8 glen79281
Edited
Thanks for this, Glen. Great help to see this thread!
I had ligation back in April, then 2 new ones popped out and I did stapled haemorrhoidectomy in October. Now on 10th week of recovery, survived and confirm to all that THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
I suffered from stage 3 haemorrhoids for 20+ years. I actually didn't know much about piles actualy coz I thought it was something I could just manage?! It is only when it got bigger and hurt more that I decided I do not want to grow old with this problem and in case caregivers have to assist me later on (when I become less mobile). In hindsight, I , too, could have avoided 20 years of misery had I done it earlier.
Ligation or banding was a breeze compared to stapled haemorrhoidectomy... everything is relative I guess. But banding was not a solution to the newer ones as they were in a position where the band could come off more easily and risk repeat procedures.
The minute I woke up from the day surgery (stapled...), I started clenching my teeth in vain... It was like a rock down there kind of feeling and I was given painkillers to help manage. But let me say again what Glen said... IT WILL PASS!
I felt everything he said here --- "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!" ok, so maybe not the throwing up part but it is pretty spot on!
What he said about pain and discomfort... quite accurate.
So just some things I thought to add..
1. Controversial as it may be, my doctor actually advises a balance of fibre vs everything else… his belief is that humans do not really digest fibre like meat and thus becomes roughage hence less smooth stools etc… so probably a counterintuitive comment to support “moderation of things” in life. I think Glen did make a point about fibre with no water is a disaster… I think most people just do not take enough liquids.
2. Prepare well before and read up … though some of us do this more afterwards as we tend to busy up our lives before the procedure.
3. Week 1 - painful at first 3 days or so but will reduce quite markedly too. Unless you have a fantastic private toilet at the office, better to work at home. It does not require 24 hour attention down there but will have enough distraction throughout the day.
4. By the end of the Week 2, I was about 50% better. And another 50% better again by Week 3, and another 50% better again by the Week 4. So think of it as exponentially-reducing pain experience by the week… it does not disappear instantly. I only used painkillers mainly in the first week, and wasn’t probably that necessary after the first 3 days, in hindsight.
5. As you might frequently visit the toilet, you might develop rashes from over cleaning your arse. A baby butt rash cream helped me easily when that happens.
6. When I went to see the doctor on Week 3, I was in a state of good solid stools but the spotty bleeding remained, and he said that I am recovering very well and likely not needing to have another checkup unless I want to or feel any complication. True enough, by Week 5, no bleeding, and passing gas did not have a “spray” anymore and things are really becoming more “normal” again.
7. Learn to use female sanitary napkins…they help! Spared me of an experience in a mall where I accidentally leaked and good that I had napkins so I just needed to throw them and my underwear was not soiled at all. It is probably rare that you will experience a bad leak but imagine the possibilities… prevention is much better. And I also now have total respect for women and their monthly maintenance!
8. Interestingly, the diameter of my stool now is probably half the diameter of what it was before. Asked two doctors about this and seems nothing to be concerned about. Just have longer thinner stools than before. Probably a tighter pass now…
9. I have had 2 bouts of constipation, one around Week 6 and another at Week 10. Might be also guilty of going back into bad food habits, junk food, etc… In Week 6, before I used a laxative, I thought that if I drank and ate dairy products, it would help loosen things as I am lactose intolerant. Normally, a glass of fresh milk will make me pass liquid stool in minutes before. But suddenly, I can take dairy and nothing happens! So that did not work and I eventually took a laxative ( Dulcolax/Bisacodyl
which helped within 12 hours. Big relief! Best to avoid these laxatives… I am trying to avoid as well but sharing just in case.
10. Same thing happened on Week 10, (seems I am now cured of lactose intolerance??) and a small does of Dulcolax helped after 3 days of constipation. Back to normal again.
11. I tried the squat stool position but still do the sit although bend a little forward now to help ease it.
12. Piles is an embarrassing topic to discuss but is much more common that you think… share the experience both good and bad to help the next fellow out. Follow tips for a healthy lifestyle of good mobility, hygiene (bidet) and food intake… Keep well and keep positive indeed!
Hope this helps and wish you all a speedy recovery if you are going through what we did!
mal206 jc8
Edited
Thank you for this! I am on day 6 and I hear your every word.
bree96922 mal206
Posted
Hi! Can you tell us about your experience now that you are, presumably, on the other side?
eve60867 glen79281
Posted
I am almost 2 weeks into recovery and wish I would have read your post in the beginning of that time. The only information I found was very negative so this is reassuring.
I am already feeling much better but when I am recovered I will also post my positive recovery information.
Fifowife glen79281
Posted
Hey guys. I'm day 3 out of a stapled hemorrhoidectomy after 2 failed bandings, and am curious to know whether any females have experienced any discomfort or bulging in their vagina after the surgery? I've woken up this morning and can feel the posterial wall bulging where I am assuming the stapling was done. It feels so tight and uncomfortable. I already have an early stage uterine and bladder prolapse and am praying that this surgery hasn't caused my posterial wall to prolapse now too. I would assume it's just swelling etc from having the stapling procedure, but it's annoying me and so uncomfortable!!
All in all my experience so far with this procedure has only caused minimal pain, but plenty of discomfort and I have had no other real complaints. I don't have any piles popping out now which is the first time in 20 years. So other than the bulging, I have had a very positive experience.
stevencsemail glen79281
Posted
dan000 stevencsemail
Posted
I have both bad and good news. I had my Hemorrhoidectemy on Dec 8, 2016. I won't lie - was the most challenging and painful 5-weeks of my life. I somehow was able to survive - despite wishing I was dead countless times throughout. I returned to work 2-weeks ago -- feeling like a new man. But just now - literally moments ago...I used the bathroom and felt that awful feeling we all know so well. I looked into the toilet and saw what I feared more than anything...blood - dark red blood everywhere. And now I feel as if I have a hemorrhoid -- and it's obviously ruptured. I've struggled w roids for the last 14 years. I'm 34 now. I work in a high stress environment, have 2 kids under the age of 3, sit a lot at work and get no more than 3.6 hours of sleep a night as I wake up at 230a for my job. I'm beyond depressed and near breaking down. I was told I would have a 95-99% chance of never dealing with these issues again and now all I can think abt is going through that surgery and pain for 5 weeks all for nothing. My quality of life was so great for roughly 3-weeks. Going to the bathroom w no blood, no roids and just a new person. I called my surgeon immediately but still yet to hear back. I don't even know what this means now. Couldn't find what happens next. Does anybody know? I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. I don't drink. Eat very simple diet but don't drink too much water and usually find myself constipated - and I certainly don't take enough colais-like Meds. Does anybody know what happens now? I'm so upset. I've never done a forum for anything before - and hoping you all can pull me back up. Help. I was so happy to get through the hardest, most painful and challenging time of my life. 5-weeks of torture...all the same you all went through. And now - I don't even know what to say. Pls - any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.
dan000
Posted
I should also add I had a closed hemorrhoidectemy - the most invasive and supposedly effective surgery. She removed 4 hemorrhoids - she said that's the most she ever had done at one time. She's a top surgeon in NYC. Before this procedure I had rubber bands, a straight removal using scissors, an ER visit that from a partially prolapsed rectum, and then finally the closed hemorrhoidectemy. 8-weeks after surgery and 3-weeks removed from any pain and/of blood and I'm back to step one. Blood everywhere and another roid. I'm beyond depressed.
SFlor dan000
Posted
Dan, I totally understand our 'beyond depressed' I really do, I had fissure surgery that went wrong, spent 10 days in hospital, 3 blood tranfusions, nearly lost my life and another 8 weeks bedridden before I could hobble back to work - all for an outpatient surgery. I didn't know what 10/10 pain was until now. nearly 7 months later I bleed on and off and have other issues, but I am alive ! and there was a time when I nearly wasn't due to the incompetant doctor and nurses. they let me bleed out for 3 days before it all went wrong - and the last thing they told me to do before I lost conciousness was 'pray'. So just reading through your message - first thing - you have to up your water a lot, the surgery helps but you have to help yourself. Surgery won't fix everything. You need to drink lots of water every day. start right now - as you are reading this. Set your alarm for every hour if you have to and have another glass full. You can increase your fiber with psyllim but if you are not drinking water it will make things worse. You may be able to fix this yourself with simple changes to your intake. But you have to keep it up. If you can go to bed even a little earlier and get some extra sleep it will help - theres a lot going on in your life. Don't get down on yourself, we can't look back, so just look forward.
SFlor dan000
Posted
Dan- it's a week more now -I hope yu are doing a little better.