Worried after 8 days of stapled surgery

Just wanted to share my experience as reading these forums both helped me and scared me as I prepared for surgery. I had 3 prolapsed, thrombosed internals removed 9 days ago.

I am a 33 year old female and began having hemorrhoids in college. Just an annoyance that Prep. H would help. A few years later I started having episodes of heavy, heavy bleeding occasionally. Had 2 big babies. Had some banded, but they came book very soon. For the past 3 years I have had near constant flare ups. The thrombosed hemmies that just throb and make you miserable. Had to wear pads everyday due to leaking mucous, liquid and a little poo after bowel movements every morning. As a busy mom and elementary school teacher it basically took my quality of life down to zero. I would occasionally have a good day, but they were rare. What I read online and heard from people about hemorrhoidectomies scared the crap out of me, but I finally reached my breaking point and scheduled it.

The first 5 days were very painful and I basically laid on the couch when I was not in the bathroom. BMs were painful and happened too many times a day, but pretty quick each time- lucky to not have constipation or diarrhea. I stopped my hydrocodone after 2 days as I was afraid of constipation, and it didn't seem to help much more than advil/tylenol. Ate lightly, drank a ton of water, continued my daily dose of Miralax & Benefiber that I've taken for the last year and added in 3 Colace (stool softeners)/day. I was also careful to never ever strain. I think I sabotaged my banding by straining due to pressure. You have to basically wait for your body to be pushing it out on its own.

By day 6 I felt better than I did before surgery. I was back to a regular BM schedule (once/day) which really helped. There is still a constant ache, but nothing terrible at all. Yesterday I felt really good and spent a lot more time on my feet, and I am more sore today. Overall though, it has been much less painful than I had been afraid of. It certainly wasn't fun at all, but I would do it again 1000 times over even if it helps for just a few years. I was in so much constant misery for years that I wish I had done this years ago. I'll never get that time back. I would take a week of intense pain over years of near constant pain.

If your hemorrhoids are not a big hinderance to your life, I would not recommend the surgery, as it is more major than many doctors make it out to be. But if they are frequently painful or causing major blood loss - just DO IT!! You will get through it and come out better than before. Every body and case is different, but I wanted to share a positive story that hopefully encourages some people. They do not come back for 95% of patients. I'm glad I was prepared for the worst, but so happy that recovery has been smoother than that. Best of luck to anyone suffering right now - hang in there!

Thank you so much Mogedd for those encouraging words. I’m a middle aged female who was very active, running, walking, dancing, never stopping...until 6 months ago when literally my world fell out of my backside in the form of a rectal mucosal prolapse with juicy piles attached! Absolutely no idea what brought it on except a bout of constipation in the summer.

You have helped me make my mind up to go with the surgeon’s advice and have a stapled hemorroidopexy.

As seemed to be the case with you, to go back to the quality of life had before is the thing.

Thanks again, and I’m so pleased it worked out well for you.