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Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy

Posted , 4 users are following.

Cat_Man
Cat_Man

I had this procedure the beginning of January 2012 under general anaesthetic, and afterwards it was one of the worst pain/uncomfortable experiences of my life. I didn't know what to do with my self afterwards. I couldn't walk, sit or lay comfortably, and was in constant pain. And forget any ideas about going to the loo.

I now have some idea of what child birth must be like after I finally managed the 'two the loo' for the first time after five days, horrendous. Thank god I'm not a woman.

Never again, hopefully.

I would also add, according to my surgeon, it can take up to three months before everything is back to normal. Although you will feel allot better after the first two to three weeks.

I don't know how the information sheet (link below) can say that you can usually return to work around a week later after this particular procedure. As far as I was concerned, not a chance. I'm now nine weeks in and feeling OK. Internally healing is still going on, and am still having the odd day with regular visits to the loo. But I am told this will settle down.

Some tips that will help with recovery.

Apart from pain killers and drinking plenty of fluids I found warm baths help give relief (albeit for a short while) from the pain, discomfort and that constant feeling that you want to have your bowels open. I was sometimes having up to three baths a day for the first two weeks just to give me some relief. And if you are prescribed Co-codamol pain relief, come off them as soon as you can or you will suffer with constipation, and that isn't good I can assure you.

For further information.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Haemorrhoi ... rgery.aspx

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • amanda31789
    amanda31789

    Posted

    Hi,

    How are you doing now? I am 9 days post op and wondering if I have just made all my problems worse. I agree that it is totally unrealistic to return to work after a week, I am unable to do anything once the visits to the loo kick in. I try to do as much as I can before that happens, or else I have to wait hours (in and out of the bath) till I feel up to going downstairs and moving about. I am very aware of how immobile I am becoming because of the lack of exercise, which I am pretty sure isn't helping, but the constant feeling of heaviness and also going to the loo countless times a day due to drinking lots of water kinda makes you feel like staying still!

    Hope you are all fully recovered,

    Mandy

  • Cat_Man
    Cat_Man

    Posted

    Hi Mandy

    I know exactly what you are going through, but please be assured it does get better as the healing process continues. Keep having the baths, especially just before you go to bed with a couple of pain killers.

    The constant loo stops will decrease but it will take several months before you feel things are getting back to normal. And as much as it can be difficult at times to go to the loo (I know) try not to strain. Someone reading this may think this is all a bit personal, but until you have gone through it you cannot know what a trauma it is.

    Me, I'm now fine. Would I go through it again. Not if could help it.

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and remember, you are not alone. This is a common operation that is carried out on hundreds of people every year.

    Regards

    Stephen

  • amanda31789
    amanda31789

    Posted

    Hi Stephen,

    Thanks for your comforting words. A trauma is a good way of describing it. I have had two children and at least the pain was gone afterwards, rather than with this!

    I shall take on board what you said. My hot water bill is going to be huge! sad but the relief is essential!

    Bye for now,

    Mandy

  • martin79207
    martin79207

    Posted

    Hi you two and can I hope all is now back to normal for both of you!

    I had the same operation three and a half weeks ago and was told that I may experience some slight pain and would probably be back at work inside a week. That's ridiculous! Like you two I have been in complete pieces; unable to function for the first week and a half and even now still not back to work.

    My local pharmacist and two GPs both told me that this is not unusual. I would never have had the operation if I'd known what was waiting. Piles aren't that bad!

    The only thing that helped in those early days was exactly what Mandy said - hot baths. I would also recommend keeping going with the laxatives - I tried stopping after a couple of weeks, but quickly went back to them after a very uncomfortable day.

    What's surprised me so far is the recovery time. Everything seems to get better so slowly and it is quite normal to have a good day followed by two bad ones. Think of the improvement as an upward curve, but a curve with lots of downs along the way unfortunately.

    Anyway I really appreciate both of you posting as I was beginning to think something had gone wrong with the operation.

    regards

    Martin

  • Cat_Man
    Cat_Man

    Posted

    Hi Martin, I am fully recovered now. I had my op January 2012. Never again if I can help it.

    I know you must be thinking 'will this ever end and get better', but it does. It just takes time. Forget about weeks and think more in terms of months, around 2-3 and things should feel allot better.

    My problem was I couldn't pass a toilet without having to go in it. I'll be blunt here as we have all been in the same boat so to speak. Get yourself some baby wipes for after you have been to the loo. More hygienic and soothing, if you know what I mean. Eat plenty of roughage and drink plenty of fluids, and whatever you do don't strain when on the loo.

    All the best.

  • martin79207
    martin79207

    Posted

    Cheers Stephen and probably the best thing about the posts that you and Mandy have put here is the realisation that what I'm experiencing is quite normal and not the result of a bodged operation - easy to think when you were told you may have a few days slight pain!

    Glad to hear you are fully recovered. I'm feeling much better (4 weeks now) and I tell you what, never again!

    Martin

  • dbj
    dbj Cat_Man

    Posted

    Hi everyone

    i need help I had this procedure 10 days ago and I am in agony with stools the size of worms. I am so worried as this can't be good. I also have what resembles a small painful pile but I am hoping that it's a swollen tag.  I am so depressed I chose this method because it was supposed to be less painful and a quicker healing time.

    • martin79207
      martin79207 dbj

      Posted

      I would say you have two to three more weeks of being very uncomfortable. After 10 days I was nowhere near better and it is super frustrating. Sometimes you ask yourself whether there hasn't been a messed up operation and often you feel worse than you did two days before!

      All I can say really is stick with the medicine you were given. You could also try 'instagel' from your chemist and keep going on the laxatives!

      Good luck 

    • dbj
      dbj martin79207

      Posted

      Hi Martin

      Thank you very much for replying.  I have only just read it because I was so worried I went to A&E.  I was so tense and it was becoming so painful.  After 5 days they finally realised I have a fissure which was causing me untold amounts of pain.  I have my cream now and getting around a lot better.  I am just taking it one day at a time.

      All the best.

    • bgoodey
      bgoodey dbj

      Posted

      Hello i hope you are better by now.i recently had stapled hemorrectopexy n after a month i start having narrow poo untill i could not poo anymore unless it is diarrhoea....went for another surgery to make my hole bigger but its happening again and another surgery is being advised.im so confused n don't know how to deal..did you get sorted with out surgery??
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