Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery - how long will it take?

TacomaGuy · Newbie Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 11

Guest,

Thanks for the compliment on the list. It's really not my list, it's what everyone on this site has contributed...I just organized it so I could find the information when I needed it and it worked so well for me I can't help but to share. I'm going to take a copy to my surgeon during my followup and try to get him to give it to his patients as well...his instructions were just not enough to get a guy through this.

I am on day 11 and last night I actually went out dancing at a bar. I do admit I had 2 beers, and I did probably dance more than I needed to but I don't feel bad today so I think I am going to be okay for my first day back in office tomorrow. I did eat a burger late last night - no cheese -but I did a couple of stool softeners with the meal. I'm shocked that hasn't passed through my system yet so I'm a little nervous about the consequences of that.

Guest, I'm not familiar with the surgery you had. Are your doctors not concerned with stenosis from lack of bulk to your stool? From everything I've read for a hemorrhoidectomy, you need to keep a soft but bulked stool the entire healing time or you are risking surgery to correct stenosis (where your rectum closes up and you can only pass stool the size of a pencil or something). Since your surgery is different from mine, I'm just asking out of curiosity. But for a hemorrhoidectomy, not eating after surgery has been posted multiple times as having bad consequences...partly because your body must have food to heal, but secondly for the stenosis being so risky. I was lucky that I could research before I had surgery, but I compared posts of people that had similar surgeries of mine (I think I've read every post on this site and 3 others - I was scared of this surgery) and what they did to recover - and the ones that ate simple, fresh foods with fiber suppliments and stool softeners seemed to recover quickest with the fewest complications.

Guest · Guest

Hi everyone, I've had hemorroids since I can remember. They are also internal and external. I see that everyone complains about the pain, but it is also really bad when you constipate and it hurts like hell and your hemorroids are in the way and you are never TOTALLY CLEAN...soooooo....take some more pain killers and you will all be well in no time. As for me, I WANT THE SURGERY REALLY BADLY, EVEN IF IT HURTS FOR WEEKS.

DnvrDavid · Newbie Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I am 4 weeks post surgery -- removed 3 large external hemorrhoids, the traditional way.

TacomaGuy: Thanks for the lists!! My first follow-up appointment is this week, and I will be giving the lists to my surgeon as well.

I was actually given no advice about what to do after my surgery. My biggest mistake was eating red meat and cheese and getting constipated; I am now very careful to avoid those, and eat lots of fiber and drink lots of water. Like everyone else, I was told (the lie) that you can return to work in two weeks. I was able to work half time the third week, and I am late to work today, because I'm still feeling the "pain" of this morning's bowel movement (6 hours ago). But it gives me time to post here!

I say "pain" in quotes because I am quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, and I don't feel pain. I actually had no anesthesia or sedation for the surgery, and no pain meds afterwards. But I sweat uncomfortably when there is pain, and this site has helped me realize that is what is going on. I am still in "pain".

As a quad, I do bowel care every other morning with a suppository (bisacodyl) or enema (docusol) to cause peristalsis. Like others, I have immense "pain" during the bowel movement and afterwards. But a bath is not possible for me, so I just sweat until the "pain" subsides. No one in the hospital understood the sweating, because they don't understand quadriplegia.

My sweating has subsibed enough now, so I am off to work. More later...

I've loved all these posts (and the older, longer thread), and I've taken good advice from them.

DnvrDavid · Newbie Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I saw my surgeon yesterday and gave her a copy of 3 of TacomaGuy's posts. I fixed some spelling errors and typos, and titled it "Things I've Learned About Hemorrhoid Surgery Recovery". It was exactly 6 pages long. She asked me to email it to her, so she can more easily edit it and provide to future patients. I will be SO happy if that happens, so patients can be more prepared! The info is priceless to me, even though it doesn't all apply to me, as a quadriplegic.

I'm sure I will use the article again for my next hemorrhoid surgery, since the hemorrhoids will probably return in a few years, because I sit all the time and spend a long time on the toilet and use suppositories, etc. But I will do everything I can to prevent them.

Thanks again TacomaGuy! I asked SteadyHealth about their copyright, but they never responded. So I just included their copyright notice on the document.

Guest · Guest

I had the surgery done friday and it is tuesday of the following week. I am still in severe pain. I am still taking percocet, and anti-inflammatory, a stool softener, plus Milk of Magnesium. I sure hope it feels better soon. I think i came back to work to soon but i didnt have anymore sick time available.

Neet · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

I had a hemorrhoidectomy and fistulotomy 6 days ago. The pain and discomfort were a "piece of cake" compared to what I'd read, heard and thought it would be like. I had a bowel movement 2 days after the surgery which was very soft then another bowel movement today. This one was much more painful and contained quite a bit of blood. I immediately took a sitz bath then continued to go 4-5 more times. I eventually took 600 mg. of Motrin and later, Norco. The pain/discomfort has subsided but I have no desire to go the bathroom anytime soon. My bowel now is very watery and greenish-yellow in color. My anal area is swollen and moving around is more difficult. I see my doctor in 2 days and pray by then, I feel better. This has been the most pain I've been in but still nothing like I imagined.

sriramprani · Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 1

I had hemorrhoidectomy last month 1 vein removed.
Now I am having pain, burning sensation in my stomache. This pain started after I had a junk food
I had lost 10 pounds after the operation (hemorrhoidectomy )

My question to you is that did you loose weight after the operation, did you had burning sensation in your stomache. Please answer
Hoping a reply from you

Neet · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

phita42 · Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 4

My Kudos also to TACOMAGUY - comprehensive and very informative - I am at day 15 post surgery for my external hemorhoids. My swelling goes down then comes back the next day after a BM. I am in the sitz bath 3 to 4 times a day as well. Worried about the seeping and when I will actually fell OK again. Still using meds to seep and sometimes during the day. I agree - this is THE WORST surgery ever...I will also be supplying TAOMAGUYs list to MY surgeon - 2 to 10 day recovery time my a** ....

Neet · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

In addition to the sitz baths, are you taking stool softeners daily and eating foods high in fiber? I'm really sorry you're in so much discomfort.

Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery - how long will it take?

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