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
emma04392 john96819
Posted
Hi,
There are few different kind of surgeries and I got the oldest, most outdated option which is cutting out the hemorrhoids.
You need to make sure of the method and ask for the most optimal one.
Now I'm also much wiser, that time I just trusted the doctor...
However, seems your thrombosis has been bothering you so you need to sort it out for sure.
Maybe, you can ask for a second opinion from another surgeon.
john96819 emma04392
Posted
Thanks! I'll ask the doc. I put in a message for him to call me to discuss before I go in tomorrow. I'll ask which method and have something to research. A general surgeon had told me that I'm a good candidate for the procedure so the specialist is the 2nd opinion. The thrombosis isn't bothering me right this moment. That has healed. My fear is that one will return. I don't know if having this procedure will prevent or help prevent a future thrombosis. There are still other annoyances with what I have left, though, without thrombosis. I'm just concerned that those annoyances relate to absolutely needing surgery.
thomas79405 emma04392
Posted
john96819 thomas79405
Posted
thomas79405 john96819
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emma04392 thomas79405
Posted
Hi,
I still think you had a different method than what I had. There are more modern ways to do hemorrhoidectomy and most probably you were lucky to get one of those.
While in my case I pulled the wrong card.
Healing is super slow given that I'm sporty, healthy, eating vegetarian diet, drinking lots of water and optimistic with this whole process.
AnnieJ44 thomas79405
Posted
omar92469 AnnieJ44
Posted
I had the traditional hemmorroidectomy in which my surgeon , as he stated , cut out two hemmes one internal and one external . However , it was out patient procedure “ no hospitalization required “ . As far as pain , I would say first 10 to 14 days post surgery for sure , then it would be more discomfort than pain afterwards for two moths .
I also would like to know what specific procedure Thomas had since he was spared much of the pain and the other unpleasant symptoms and healed up pretty nicely and rather fast
thomas79405 omar92469
Posted
theresa66255 john96819
Posted
Get the surgery. I had painful external hems and a fissure tear. I was in pain after every BM. I got the surgery and it's well worth it. I had surgery 5 mths ago.. I will tell u the first week is painful and scary. But they give u meds and stool softeners which are a blessing. I was as terrified as u are but I'm so glad I did it.
john96819 theresa66255
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omar92469 john96819
Posted
I had my hemmorriodectomy done about 18 days ago .
Here is my take on it :
1. The most pain that I have ever had in my life . My intent is not to scare you but to prepare you . Be ready to have your life on hold for first two weeks after surgery due to extreme pain and other very unpleasant symptoms .
2. Make absolutely sure to have your doctor prescribe strong pain medication which in my case helped around 30 % in pain reduction . Reason I know because my doctor just wanted me to take useless ibuprofen and tylonnel off the counter . I had to call his office demanding strong pain medicine which he prescribed
3. Be prepare for a long recovery time . I am still off work and I will be off for at least 5 weeks post surgery regardless what my doctor told me which is going back to work after two weeks !! That was joke at least in my case
4. Sitz bath helps slightly . However , I always did it for cleanliness reasons . It did nothing to alleviate pain
I pray every day that I didn’t make the wrong decision and I won’t find out until I am completely healed then I can make a judgement wether it was worth it or not .
So far I regret going through with this horrible procedure .
I know others swear by it and claim it completely improved their quality of life . I am hopeful that I would join their feeling in a few weeks
Good luck to you !
jane16431 john96819
Posted
2. read all the stories and take the pre-op and post-op advice
3. Get a second opinion
4. Avoid this surgery unless there is no other reasonable option
5. Assume that you will be in rough shape for a week, still hurting after two weeks, and on the mend after three weeks. Take the appropriate time off work.
john96819 jane16431
Posted
1. Agreed. He's a specialist.
2. I am, that's what's scaring me, ha. And, coming on 36 hours until my procedure and not having soft enough stools yet scares me. Even with soft stools, I strain a little bit and my body likes to harden them pretty quick - even after an upset stomach.
3. This specialist is my second opinion.
4. I'm wondering if I should try the banding option first.
5. Ok, thank you
omar92469 john96819
Posted
Good question , why didn’t you try the Banding option first ?
U got nothing to lose and much to gain .
I advise that you try banding first and see what happens . If it works , great . If not , then u still can do the surgery anyway .
john96819 omar92469
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jane16431 john96819
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john96819 jane16431
Posted
Also, as it turns out. He cannot band the internal b/c it's connected with the external tag. He said it'd be just as painful as the whole procedure. He also made it sound like the ectomy procedure is very similar but it's just controlled, and under general anesthesia. That sounds downplayed to me and different than "being back to playing soccer a week or two from now". I understand it, he doesn't want to down play it or up play. It's just all confusing. I regret not getting the procedure and I think I'd have regretted getting it done if I went through with it.