After Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery - Recovery time, Swelling, Pain

KDHUGHES73 · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I HAD SURGERY ON THE 1ST OF APRIL. THE FIRST NIGHT I WAS MEDICATED AND HAD LITTLE PAIN. I RAN INTO A PROBLEM ONLY AFTER I RAN OUT OF THE ORGINIAL PAIN MEDS THE DOCTOR ORDERED. I HAD LOTS OF INTERNAL AND ONE EXTERNAL REMOVED. WELL ONCE I CALLED THE OFFICE FOR PAIN REFILL (WAS PREVIOUSLY TOLD BY DOCTOR STAY ON TOP OF PAIN MEDS) THEY PRESCRIBED HYDROCODEINE (WRONG ANSWER). THE NEW MEDS CONSTIPATED ME AND IT WAS LIKE DYING WITH EVERY BM. THIS MADE ME TAKE MINERAL OIL WHICH WORKED BUT BURNED AND I STILL HAD LOTS OF PAIN. 2ND WEEK I CALLED DOCTOR THEY TOLD ME TO GET NUPRICANE TOPICAL OINTMENT, IT HELPED A LITTLE. I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE FROM THE PAIN. LASTLY WENT INTO DOCTORS OFFICE FOUND OUT THE NEW PAIN MEDS WORSENED THE SURGERY AREA AND WAS GIVEN MEPROZINE, VALIUM AND TOLD TO TAKE PHILLIPS MILK OF MAG ONCE A NIGHT. I FEEL 1000% BETTER. STILL RESTING TODAY AND JUST SAW SOME CLOTTING WITH BLOOD IN STOOL DOCTOR SAYS ITS NORMAL, I JUST PRAY IT IS. MY ADVICE TO OTHERS GET MEPROZINE FOR PAIN, NUPRICANE TOPICAL FOR NUMBNESS AND LIFE SAVER PHILLIPS OF MAG FOR SOFT STOOL.

khansen46 · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Houston

I am a 42 y/o male, and had a hemorrhoidectomy this past Friday. The procedure was done with a harmonic scalpel.

I have to say, this has been the most painful experience of my life until today. However, I've had the hemorrhoids for over 10 years. They get better and worse as time goes on, and decided it was time I have something done about them.

From the time I came home, I felt the insistent need to have a bowl movement. It started as an uncomfortable pressure, and progressed to sheer agony. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't go. Urinating was not a major issue. That was the first thing I did when I got home. Until today, the urine stream was start and stop, but that proved only to be an inconvenience by making me stand at the toilet for a while to finish emptying my bladder.

As of the second day, I could not sit on the toilet. The pain was just too great. To urinate, and in the hopes of having a bowel movement, I raised the seat and lid, and backed up over the toilet. I then squatted down as far as was comfortable (definitely a relative term!), and put my hands on my knees. This actually worked out quite well.

This morning I drank a bottle of Magnesium Citrate, followed by 4 16oz glasses of water over the next hour. (I had a couple of bottles left over from my colonoscopy a couple of weeks earlier. We got the OK from my doctor to use it post surgery beforehand). After about 3 1/2 hours, it started working. I braced myself over the toilet. Now, I can't say that I was "clinically" impacted, but the first part of my bowl movement was HARD. Prior to this surgery, I was going daily, and had no issues. I'm not sure why it became so hard, and why it wouldn't come out on its own, but this was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life.
For anyone who is not familiar with Magnesium Citrate, it turns everything to liquid, and expels it almost violently. It does an exceptional job of cleaning out the insides. Well, my insides went into spasms and continued pushing untill all the hard stuff came out. WHAT A RELIEF!!! Everything else today has been soft, and mostly runny. I'll take that in a minute! I've gone 4 times today, and am feeling much, much better than when I woke up this morning. I am also drinking fiber every morning. My plan is to drink another bottle tomorrow, then cut back to 1/2 bottle. By the end of the week, I plan to control it strictly with fiber and diet.
If I had know more about this beforehand, I think I would have cleaned myself out the day before the surgery and started with fiber then. I think it would have saved some agony.

Now, the worst is the pain from the surgery itself. I walk like an old pregnant lady (no offense to anyone). I get in our jacuzzi tub 4-6 times a day, and take 3-4 showers. The good side is that I'm catching up on a lot of reading. Also, since my bowel movement, my bladder is working fine now, in a steady stream.

I'll post more details as time goes on. I'm thankful this thread was started, and that so many people have been willing to share their experiences.

masterplan · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 5

I had to chime in as I just had hemorrhoid surgery five days ago. I, too, am experiencing significant swelling and the thought that I still have hemorrhoids after what I went through is unbearable. All things considered, I believe I'm doing fine, though. It is comforting to hear others say they are experiencing the same type of swelling.

As far as pain goes, the top 2 for me so far have been:
1. removing the "packing" the day after surgery. That was insane. I swear that I dang-near passed out trying to yank that bad boy out!
2. as a result of the anaesthetic and the vicodin, I was unable to urinate the night after my surgery. As a result, I was forced to go back to the emergency room to get a "uric cathoter." Let me tell you something: if they ever produce one of these contraptions and you are not knocked out, punch them in the face and run for the hills! The pain of having that thing inserted was un-friggin-bearable. I think I have ptsd as result.

Now, I'm still bleeding and having trouble finding the most comfortable sitting position. But, the thought of not having to "manage" my hemorrhoids is comforting to say the least. These things are a full-time job! (you all know what I'm talking about).

Two things:
1. I am only taking Motrin for the pain at this point. I took all of two vicodins and the whole urine problem started, so I'm just going over the counter now. I'm hanging in there but wish I could tolerate the narcotics.
2. To make your bowels easier, try the Maalox trick: buy Maalox Multi-Symptom (not Maalox Max!!) and take a good swig before bedtime. The magnesium and other ingredients will do an excellent job of thinning your bowels making it easier to pass the following morning. I cannot imagine taking a "solid bowel" as the pain would be incredible.

Good luck to all who go through this.

Guest · Guest

ok so i had the surgery on the 6th of may, and yeah i'm in pain a bit but i'm able to sit at the computer and play my games. the hard part for me is standing up after sitting but once im up i just move slow. i found that when i am haveing a hard time urinating, sitting in a tub of hot water relaxes everything and i can go then i jump in the shower.....you do what you gotta do. i passed something today but i don't think it was ummm waist....it kinda looked like it was soemthing that should have stayed in there i don't know. i'm taking laxitives and hopefully when i do have a bm it will move through steady and stay the course. i feel once that pressure is eleminated the pain will be lessened. i sat down to do my business and all that came out was blood so like many of you i grabbed the phone and called the dr. on call to make sure this was normal....and she said it was.
i'd really like to know what the "simple packing"is that they put in there, maybe thats what i passed today i don't know. anyways thanks for the info some ppl say its gonna ruin my life and some say its a piece of cake. i guess i'll just have to see which one mine is going to be. good luck yall.

Auburn · Newbie Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 1

It's been 5 days since I had my hemorrhoidectomy. I am in extreme and constant pain. Tried doing all the sitz baths, taking narcotic pain killers, and lidocaine but the pain is still extremely painful especially after a BM. Now I know the saying when they say "rip you a new one." If I knew of the pain that was to be after surgery I would have NOT done this surgery. To the people reading this, THIS SURGERY IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY! My doc told me that my pain will be less after the surgery and that is not the case. The pain that I'm feeling now is 10 times worse than before the surgery. I wish I could go back in time and not have had this surgery because of the pain of recovery. It's worse than the actual Hemorrhoid itself. Trust me!

RoidBearer · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 8

martinblogg · Newbie Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 8

It is probably easy for me to say now (3.5 weeks post op) but 5 days is early. I didn't really start to begin to feel human again until after the first week, it was like living in a haze. The aches and pains lasted with me up to the third week.

I found the BMs are the worst bit - the feeling of not having emptied properly, but wanting to finish and get off the loo quickly to try to ease my stinging bottom. I used an upturned shower head to clean myself and followed it by a lay down in a shallow warm bath. That seemed to help.

The painkillers sometimes didn't completely take away some of the aches, but if you have had the surgery you must have needed it. But for heavens sake don't do what I did and stop painkillers when I started feeling better and keep the laxative going! I went 10 times the next day and hell my bum was sore!

Good luck, stick with it and hopefully you will realise it was worth it in the end.

I feel for you.

P in the A · Newbie Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 1

Well it's been 3 days since my 'most recent' op for the good old piles!
9 months ago I had the stapled anoplexy done, that lasted a whole 4 days (of agony!) before they returned worse than ever. I had the original pain, oozing and bleeding, combined with the post op pain... Happy days!
I had 4 weeks away from work recovering from this for no reason whatsoever.
After recovering, my surgeon decided he would give me a full examination under general as he couldn't understand why they had come back and assumed there must be a fissure causing the pain, and what I thought were piles, was in fact just swelling. You guessed it, I was right.... No fissure or swelling, just big external piles!
Now I've had the hemorrhoidectomy 20/05, was kept in overnight and released the following afternoon. Not sure if anybody else has experienced the severe trapped wind associated with surgery of this type, but let me tell you, it's not at all pleasant. Because the area is very weak after the operation, it's damn near impossible to not release wind. When this happened, I (my clothing and bathroom) realised just how bad the bleeding can be. I had to go back to A&E the same day I was released and re-examined. After testing my blood sugar levels, hemoglobin levels and blood pressure they decided I wouldn't need a blood transfusion for the severe blood loss.
I'm sure if anybody reads this this, they'll be pretty scared of the op and have second thoughts. Let me assure you, I've been very unlucky with it and the form of conscent you fill out before the operation does mention this as a possible, but pretty rare, side effect. I'm just one of the unfortunate people who have to experience this!
Like I said at the beginning of this post, it's been three days now, but I'm noticing a difference already. The bleeding has calmed down dramatically, genuine swelling has started, first BM today was a bit nippy but not painful, and all I really have now is post op pain (which is dying down too).
At the moment I have been prescribed a few different meds to help me through this and they're working wonders:
1. Metronidazole antibiotics to stop infection,
2. Diclofenac Sodium Enteric and Paracetamol for pain relief,
3. Lactulose Solution morning and night to soften stools,
4. And if like me you suffer from trapped wind after surgery, Peppermint Oil helps release this really quickly to avoid discomfort.
This sounds like a horror story but having said all that, I'm glad I've gone through all this as I genuinely believe there's light at the end of the tunnel!
By the way, I'm a 26y/o male in pretty good health other than this.
Good luck to everybody thinking about or going through with surgery in the future, I will check this thread to see how you all get on!
All the best.

sometroubles · Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 6

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Posted: 05/18/08 - 02:12 Post subject: what is the recovery time for hemorrhoid surgery

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I just had a hemorrhoidectomy ( hemmroid surgery ). I had one Thrombosed Hemorrhoid. I went to the doc with complaint and i come out of the office 2 hours later with gauze between my cheeks. The doc explained to me what i had and how he was going to fix it. They did not tell me much about recovery until after the surgery. Its been 50 hours and its been touch and go. My first BM was the day after, not so bad. I used tucks pads to help wipe. But i did take two laxatives and fiber chewables plus have had a soft diet, applesauce, grapes, bread and plenty of water. I didnt have to take a bath afterwards. I was not able to lay flat so i slept on the couch and propped my legs up a little. I can't walk very fast but i can walk. Sitting is fine once i get situated. the process to sit takes about 30-45 seconds to figure out what feels good. I have small amount of drainage/bood. I use the cream they gave me after every restroom vistit rather BM or not. I take Advil and painkillers the doc gave me.

My problem was my third BM, i'm not sure what happened i had a soft BM but oh my the pain during and after had me shaking. I couldn't get in the shower fast enough, i was crying it hurt so bad. ( i have had gallbladder, appendix and right ovary and F.tube removed so i no pain) this was bad pain. I took a shower and let the water run, after i got out i took a pain pill. I'm only on my 2nd day and i don't feel horrible HOWEVER i don't let the pain meds wear off. If i had to give any advice iwould say, Dont let the pain meds wear off because when they do, it's a nightmare. I still have discomfort even with 10mg's of Vicodin and Advil and 5% lidocaine cream on the skin.

I have learned that Ice Cream increases the burning pain. I learned he hard way. I ate a sandwich the next day after surgery and it gave me the runs, watch your diet the first couple of days.

I don't know how long it will take to heal, i will post again to let people know my experience

sometroubles · Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 6

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I just had a hemorrhoidectomy ( hemmroid surgery ). I had one Thrombosed Hemorrhoid. I went to the doc with complaint and i come out of the office 2 hours later with gauze between my cheeks. The doc explained to me what i had and how he was going to fix it. They did not tell me much about recovery until after the surgery. Its been 50 hours and its been touch and go. My first BM was the day after, not so bad. I used tucks pads to help wipe. But i did take two laxatives and fiber chewables plus have had a soft diet, applesauce, grapes, bread and plenty of water. I didnt have to take a bath afterwards. I was not able to lay flat so i slept on the couch and propped my legs up a little. I can't walk very fast but i can walk. Sitting is fine once i get situated. the process to sit takes about 30-45 seconds to figure out what feels good. I have small amount of drainage/bood. I use the cream they gave me after every restroom vistit rather BM or not. I take Advil and painkillers the doc gave me.

My problem was my third BM, i'm not sure what happened i had a soft BM but oh my the pain during and after had me shaking. I couldn't get in the shower fast enough, i was crying it hurt so bad. ( i have had gallbladder, appendix and right ovary and F.tube removed so i no pain) this was bad pain. I took a shower and let the water run, after i got out i took a pain pill. I'm only on my 2nd day and i don't feel horrible HOWEVER i don't let the pain meds wear off. If i had to give any advice iwould say, Dont let the pain meds wear off because when they do, it's a nightmare. I still have discomfort even with 10mg's of Vicodin and Advil and 5% lidocaine cream on the skin.

I have learned that Ice Cream increases the burning pain. I learned he hard way. I ate a sandwich the next day after surgery and it gave me the runs, watch your diet the first couple of days.

I don't know how long it will take to heal, i will post again to let people know my experience

After Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery - Recovery time, Swelling, Pain

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