Still in pain nine days after haemorrhoid banding

I've 64 years old, and have suffered from internal and external piles for a great many years, since the births of my three sons. I've been prescribed a variety of suppositories and ointments, none of which have resolved the problem. A few months ago my GP referred me to the hospital. Several weeks later I received an appointment with the consultant, who after examining me, referred me for banding. Several weeks after that I received an appointment with the colorectal surgeon, and nine days ago he banded four haemorrhoids - which he described as 'very pronounced' before telling me that the procedure might not be successful and I might need to have it repeated. Prior to the procedure he asked if I'd 'had the camera'. When I said no, he said he'd refer me for thay, but as it wasn't an emergency it would probably take a few months to get an appointment. After the procedure, he said he'd send me a follow up appointment in a few weeks, suggested that if I needed to, I could take paracetamol, to keep my stools soft and then I was sent on my way. My husband was waiting for me - the process took a maximum of ten minutes - and we walked to the car park. The actual procedure had been described in the NHS leaflet i was given afterwards as 'painless', In truth, it was extremely uncomfortable, when the surgeon shoved the implement into my bottom. He said I would hear a motor noise which was the machine which would vacuum the piles ready for banding. Each banding felt like a shotgun up my bottom. The nurse asked me if I was okay after the third band went on. Once the fourth band was put on i was told to pull up my pants and trousers, given the leaflet and sent on my way. By the time I got back to the car, i was in do much pain and discomfort I didn't know where to put myself. We had a two hour drive back home, during which time I was writhing about in the front passenger seat, literally in tears with the pain. Around half way home, i began to feel very nauseous, and my husband had to pull into a bus stop, where i vomited several times. I felt wobbly, light headed and since then, I constantly feel as if I am on the point of emptying my bowels.

Going to the loo has been very painful, only passing a small amount at a time. I have a plastic bider which fits over the toilet, and after every bowel movement - or attempt at having one - I fill it with warm water and sit in it for a few minutes, which eases the pain slightly, but only for a short time. My bottom feels very sore, raw, full with intense pressure. This morning I noticed a band in the loo - a tiny, blue, hard plastic circle, much narrower than the width of a drinking straw. I doubt if the hole in it would have been big enough to accommodate the tip of a cocktail stick! I had hoped that once the bands fell off the pain and pressure would ease, but they haven't. The tissue inside my bottom feels like it's been left 'thick' and scarred. I had no idea it would be this bad. No warning of how horrendous this procedure would be. I received an date for my six week follow up with the surgeon. No need to go in person - I've just been given a telephone appointment!

I only hope things improve. I'm miserable with this, and I'm not a woose - I have a high pain threshold. This procedure is not for the faint hearted.

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