Post hemorrhoidectomy

I had my hemorrhoidectomy done just over three weeks ago, where I had two very large hemorrhoids removed.... and honestly it was the most excruciating pain I'd ever experienced in my life. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was in for... but I'll give you some tips.

This will be a lengthy message, but I assure you very informative. Be patient and believe me, it will be helpful.

My advice to those about to have the surgery:

Pre-surgery, a few days before having this surgery, switch to a light diet, fluids, broths etc... you don't want your first bm to be any more painful than necessary.

Pick up broth, jello or yogurt etc and continue to minimize the amount of solid foods you eat for the first week.. be sure to drink plenty of water, and take the stool softener as long as possible... trust me that first bm will be a doozy. I still continued to take it after two weeks. Very helpful.

Pick up lots of extra gauze pads, so you aren't draining/leaking blood and mucous on your undergarments PJ's, sheets etc. I even picked up under pads to go over the bed sheets. Trust me, it will save a lot of laundry trips.

Pick up non scented, all natural baby wipes, like Huggies... trust me you won't want to wipe the area with regular toilet paper... and pat, do not wipe... because it's gonna hurt and sting like nothing you've ever been through before.

Have a bath running as you are having your bm, and jump in as soon as you are cleaned up... it will help the pain and stinging to subside. I personally added Epsom Salts as well, or you could add Witch Hazel. Both are very helpful, especially with the stinging and swelling. Oh and do this a few times a day, trust me your butt will thank you.

Don't rush into moving around, you don't want to rip a stitch, and or increase the swelling more than it already is.

Refrain from lifting and straining, again, this will only increase the swelling and the pain... as well as bleeding. Rest is very important.

Be sure to have someone with you for at least two days, but if you can for up to two weeks. Believe me the less you do the better it will be for you.

As for the pain, it's gonna hurt... so be sure to talk to your doctor about both pain medication and an anti-inflammatory.... they'll likely give you ten days worth, but don't be shy to ask for more.

Everybody's experience will be different, depending on the size and location, as well as how many are removed, but be prepared for hell.

Be prepared to leak, mucous for a few weeks post surgery... even after the pain has subsided. You'll still be healing and swollen inside for quite some time after surgery.

Don't rush back into anything, it will only postpone the healing process.

If you've had the surgery, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you're about to have the surgery, I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna be hell on earth, but you'll get through it.

As mentioned, recovery is painful, but do your best to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

In my experience the pain after surgery was so incredibly intense I wanted to die. I experienced severe stinging, the feeling of razor blades inside when I moved, had random anal spasms (for a few days), had the inability to sleep long periods of time or sit, the sharp stabbing pains, the itching and the feeling of giving birth to a brick during a bm etc. Not to mention how nasty it was when the gel packing all came out at once... so unpleasant. So yes it's gonna hurt, however a week or two of pain is better than a lifetime of pain, or worse additional health concerns down the road.

I managed to get through the pain with Percocets and Naproxen... and the help of family who was with me the first two weeks. The first week was hell on earth, but I got through it and so will you.

I'm a 47 year old man and I'm not gonna lie I found myself in tears at times.... and I've broken bones, do obstacle course races like Tough Mudder etc... but this, this was unlike anything I've experienced before. The pain was excruciating, but I still say worth it.

However when I finally broke through the 7-10 day pain barrier and was able to sit upright for a short period of time, stopped cursing life and crying ... I was glad I had the operation done.

I'm now just past week three I am able to both walk long distances, get up and sit upright pain free. However, I've now discovered extra skin/large skin tags which have developed and grown since surgery. Not everyone will experience this, but if you do, don't be alarmed.

I spoke with my doctor and others who have been through this procedure, and they 'say' they will shrink around the fourth and sixth week. I did ask if they would ever go away completely, my doctor said 'no', but there is hope. Apparently there is a quick surgery where they can remove them, and the pain is minimal (compared to what we have all been through already or will go through) and the recovery is a few days to a week, maybe more depending on the size. I'm hoping they will shrink and it will only be a few days to a week for recovery.

Having said that, my doctor also told me I have to wait a couple months before he will remove them, A) to give them time to shrink naturally and B) he said if he does it too soon, they can come back. So I am just going to wait patiently until then. Nice to know there is hope, which is a good thing. So if any of you are or have experienced this, as mentioned don't be alarmed... they are not hemorrhoids coming back and there is a surgery to remove them.

To all of you who read this, if you have questions or wish to discuss, feel free to contact me... after all it is easier to chat with people who have been through it. I can't talk to my friends and family about it... because they don't understand how insane and painful the healing process really can be.

I wish you all a speedy recovery, and like I said, it's gonna be painful, but in the long run, it will definitely be worth it.

Take your recovery time slow, switch up your dietary and exercise habits, avoid constipation, diarrhea and any straining exercises at all cost... increase your fluid intake and eat plenty of fibre... as a way to avoid having this surgery ever again. Be sure to increase your Iron and B12 intake as well, helps with the healing. I assure you once is enough to last a lifetime.

Trust me people I feel your pain.

All the best

Z

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