Positive Hemorroidectomy Recovery (so far)
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm on day 4 and it is going really well so far. I'll post my notes here and update in the comments.
Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery Notes
Two grade 4 hemorrhoids, one grade 1-2 hemorrhoid plus external hemorrhoid removed.
Presurgery: on doctor’s orders, I began Celebrex 5 days before surgery and Gabapentin 2 days before surgery and did two enemas the morning of surgery. Based on advice from various forums, I switched to a very soft diet (yogurts and blended soups) 4 days before surgery, doing clear liquids only the day before surgery and began taking stool softeners 5 days prior to surgery. Installed a bidet attachment to the toilet, so no more wiping.
Day 1 (surgery at 11am, home by 3pm) - no pain, but awareness of swelling after urinating. Started using ice packs. Bone Broth and water only. Continued taking the Celebrex, Gabapentin and Colace. Have a prescription for Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) but won’t take unless necessary. Surgeon injected local anaesthetic that should last 1-3 days.
Day 2 - awareness creeping in. Started Sitz bath followed by ice pack regimen. Started back on high protein yogurt, cooked fruit, AllBran Buds and blended vegetable soups made with bone broth to keep protein intake up (protein is really important for cell repair and healing). Irritation started around midday. Trying lidocaine on gauze. Started taking one 220 mg naproxen sodium on an 8 hour schedule. Generally mild, but constant burning sensation all afternoon and evening, can be easily distracted by reading or watching tv. Did a 20 minute very slow walk (1.7 mph) on the treadmill in the evening.
Day 3 - woke up completely pain and irritation free. A little bleeding. Perhaps a stitch came off and that was the burning yesterday? Same food plan as day 2. Shortly after breakfast, felt like a BM was possible so I got on the treadmill to walk until I was sure of the urge. 15 minutes later, went to the bathroom. Zero pain. Not much produced, but most of my presurgery BMs involved some degree of discomfort (because it aggravated the hemorrhoids) so this was a very nice change. Most wondrously, when patting dry there was nothing “there” any more. I forgot what normal felt like. Did several Sitz baths, but I have given up ice packs (no discernible swelling) and lidocaine (didn’t make a difference yesterday when the burning was present).
Day 4 - woke up knowing a BM would happen but wanted to wait until the urge was, well, urgent. After breakfast and a cup of coffee, had my second BM. Still no pain, but I made sure to not strain at all. I just relaxed into it. More formed than yesterday and a tiny amount of blood. I’m going to introduce non-blended (but still soft) foods into the diet today. Basically soups and stews for the foreseeable future.
0 likes, 13 replies
lou101 elizabeth93955
Posted
hi. i am day 8 and not been as lucky as you. it's been a rough ride. has any itching appeared yet? it's driving me mad!!
elizabeth93955 lou101
Posted
Not yet ... I'm really sorry you have had an awful time of it.
lou101 elizabeth93955
Posted
i hate being at home just in bed sitting on ice packs and hot water bottles all day. I'm so tired from not sleeping but can't fall asleep for the pain and itch. i could deal with the pain as i expected it but not this itch! i had an emergency appointment at the hospital as i hadn't opened my bowels for 5 days and i struggled to wee, the good news is he looked and did say it looks to be healing, just very red and sore. god, i couldn't do his job! ha
elizabeth93955 lou101
Posted
you can sit? I have only sat to sitz or briefly eat. I'm terrified to do more because I can feel it pulling.
lou101 elizabeth93955
Posted
well i lay and put them under my bum slightly on my side, I've barely left my bed. made it to the couch in the living room tonight!
i can sit for a short period. a work friend brought me foam rubber ring yesterday, I'm still to test it. the itch is so intense tonight!
can i ask if you have had any mucus or anything? I'm really confused because i put a pad on to catch blood/mucus so place it at the back but the front and middle of my knickers are wet and i don't understand this at all
elizabeth93955 lou101
Posted
That's gravity and a function of how we are built. Put the pad on as it is meant to go.
h45851 elizabeth93955
Posted
so happy to hear your recovery is going so well.. even having painless BMs.. thats the holly grail of hem op recovery 😃
elizabeth93955 h45851
Posted
Either I am a super responder to the drugs the surgeon prescribed or he is a surgical wizard. Possibly both.
h45851 elizabeth93955
Posted
true.. although give yourself some credit too.. the pre-op preparation on your part cannot be discounted... i think thats super important element of the recovery as well.
thomas79405 elizabeth93955
Posted
same herefor mei healed up fast the pain was very lite i used ice alot. and i was eatting alot of fruit and yogurt also ,i had some pain but it was lite. i was out walking the next day sleep i slep good every night . and healing went fast on me . but the good news he did a super job and too tell you this i was looking forward to the operation my took like 30 minutes it was at 7 am i was at home by 10 30 am
elizabeth93955
Posted
UPDATE:
Day 5 - had first sudden tweaks yesterday afternoon - the little spasms that last about 2 seconds then disappear. Still pain free, including when passing BMs. I can feel some stitches coming loose, which occasionally irritates, but is in no way painful. A little more bleeding today, which I think is related to the stitches dissolving. My diet is still pretty soft, but I am actually chewing food at this point. Still keeping protein and fibre high. My water intake is always high (3-4L/day). Sitting for more than a few minutes isn’t happening (feel like it pulls on stitches) and I spend most of my time standing, pacing or laying down.
Day 6 - Drove today. I found myself using my thigh muscles to sort of suspend me and avoid putting direct pressure on the seat, but otherwise fine (I’ve never taken narcotics, so that aspect was not a concern). All else continues the same. Bidet attachment is a godsend. I didn’t really like it when we installed it a week prior to surgery because the water hitting my external hemorrhoids was painful, but now I see why everyone loves them.
Day 7 - Last day of taking Celebrex. I finish the Gabapentin tomorrow. After I’ve been off them for 2 days, I’ll probably drop the naproxen sodium unless pain suddenly appears. Otherwise, everything pretty much the same. Sitting is getting easier. Food still fairly soft (I don’t want to eat anything that could have a hard edge).
lou101 elizabeth93955
Posted
oh wow! im on 2 weeks post opp and i can barely leave bed! the pain and the itch is intense! i sat and cried today, i need the pain to ease and i am bored out of my brain stuck in bed everyday!
did yours itch?
elizabeth93955 lou101
Posted
Still no itching. I think my surgeon must be extraordinarily skilled or my body just handles surgery well.