To surgery or not to surgery
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi,
I have had hemorrhoids for years and I'm sure you all now how annoying they are. I'm 38, normal weight, if that matters. I had my first thrombosis a few years ago. I had no idea what it was so just let it ride. It was what seems to be a connected internal and external hemorrhoid. Sorry for the detail, but clots broke out from inside and out.
Fast forward a couple years, I got another thrombosis on the same spot, I think. The ER took out the clot but didn't do a good job. It clotted again and another doctor told me to try suppositories. That made it worse. I ended up having a thrombosis and a prolapse that wouldn't go back in on it's own. I had surgery (not hemorrhoidectomy) where he massaged the area back in and took care of the thrombosis. It was a pain and I believe I had bleeding for a week or two. Supposedly, this surgery was nothing compared to the full hemorrhoidectomy.
Over the next year or so until now, off and on, the internal one bleeds after bowel movements, and comes out a bit where I gently push it back in. A lot of times clots will come out, too.
A couple weeks ago, I had a thrombosis (new area) and a proctologist fixed it. The thrombosis occurred after a soccer game. I was fine within days. He told me to make an appointment to have the internal one banded.
A week later I was back in the doctor after my next soccer game. I had taken 2 weeks off from soccer after my latest thrombosis. The doctor saw no thrombosis and sent me on my way. After the following weeks soccer game, I was certain I had a thrombosis again! The doctor had me cancel the banding and set up for a hemorrhoidectomy.
Now I'm terrified. I've read horror story after horror story. Right now, I'm at the end of a case of incredible itching and some discomfort but do I really need surgery? I feel like the pain would suck but I could get through that. My fear is the longevity of the post op issues (pain, leaking, bleeding, pooping myself). There are some hygiene issues with the external one. Like I think I said, the internal and external are connected (even says the doctor after exam). He also said the external is more of a skin tag. But, it gets in the way of wiping. I had been using creams for 2 years out of fear that I'd have a thrombosis. I've stopped using creams (only a week or two). I have some discomfort sitting. I can sometimes feel that I'm sitting on the skin tag. But is that worth getting surgery? If the skin tag are gets irritated that bad after playing soccer (and I don't intend on quitting), do I do surgery? Should I just get the banding done and see if he has non surgical options for the skin tag?
I'm due to have the hemorrhoidectomy mid day on Tuesday. I feel like I always make the wrong decision on if I should or shouldn't have something done. Had I just had it done a couple years ago, the chance is still there I still had a new thrombosis a few weeks ago, right? Why am I getting surgery? I am terrified of getting the surgery done and terrified of not getting it done.
Please help.
Thank!
0 likes, 34 replies
thomas79405 john96819
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john96819 thomas79405
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I'm scared because of all of the leaking/bleeding stories I'm reading weeks after. Are you thin, if you don't mind me prying? My doctor told me that I have a higher chance of more pain b/c I'm thin and toned. If it matters, I think I just have a large external and a large internal, maybe smaller ones, too. Does that make recovery easier if it's not all over the place?
thomas79405 john96819
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john96819 thomas79405
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I was completely against it yesterday. Now I'm thinking I'll do the surgery. I'm pretty active but figured walking would be too painful. I've been walking 2 miles a day. Good to know I'll be able to keep up some form of activity. Maybe since I don't have a lot going down there, the recovery won't be as bad.
thomas79405 john96819
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john96819 thomas79405
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Do they remove a lot from you? I'm praying I have your same experience. How long did the bleeding and oozing last for you?
jane16431 john96819
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Still, all my previous statements stand. I would still not recommend the procedure if avoidable.
But running was a good therapy. The nurse said it is the endorphins that kick in.
john96819 jane16431
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john96819 jane16431
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thomas79405 john96819
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jane16431 john96819
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I used Aquaphor and a gauze pad. Remember I was running post surgery. My biggest issue was not chafing but needing to go to the bathroom. So, I ran plenty but in smaller routes so that I was never more than 2 miles from a bathroom. With all the laxatives I was taking, BM's could happen suddenly. I also carried extra gauze pads, baby wipes, and small tube of Aquaphor just in case. And its a good thing I did! I had a few instances, especially during the first two weeks where I was saying to myself, "Good thing I brought this stuff along".
jane16431 john96819
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Personally I think that's wise. Even if its temporary and you eventually have to go through with it, you can at least say, "I tried all options first" and have no regrets.
You could be an anomaly like Thomas79405 who apparently had minimal pain and discomfort. And frankly, if you have to go through with it, I hope you have his experience. My guess based on what I have read is that such an easy road represents maybe 10% of cases.
And look, we all survive it. It's just generally unpleasant. I obtained a lot of solace just from reading and exchanging with other people on this board. But I'm mostly over it at just about week 5.
john96819 jane16431
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I appreciate this! I have a lot of regret today. Dealing with symptoms, very minor ones though (like narrow poops, probably from internals being inflamed a little), and knowing that they'd all have been resolved in about 3 hours had I not cancelled the surgery. I really appreciate the encouragement and reassurance. The regret of skipping is really overwhelming right now.
Some of my regret is based on knowing that if I had just gotten it over with, I wouldn't be wishing I had it done months ago when I'm back at the dr. But, I'm going the natural route to see if I can reduce the size of what I have. Relying on creams just based on the fear of a thrombosis was stupid of me. Maybe, worst case, I improve my situation if I do need surgery so that recovery is easier (or maybe it'll be harder - I've lost 20 lbs since Feb and I want to lose 10 more.
jane16431 john96819
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That's a good approach as well. The better shape you are heading in, the better the healing - stands to reason. I think you did the right thing be delaying. Give it a month or two, get in better shape, and if the condition does not improve have the procedure. This seems like the most pragmatic approach. This is not a procedure you want to jump into like I did. Had I known what I know now I would have taken the exact approach you are which is try alternatives first and if they did not work, have the procedure.
I'll be curious as to how you make out.
john96819 jane16431
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I'll try to remember to check back in. But, I know how my mind works. If I don't post again after a few months, it's b/c I don't need to and I'm "better", hah.