I'm having the surgery in 2 days. This site alarms me but at the same time has educated me! lol I have made all sorts of notes and just pray that the pain will be minimal! Thanks for all the tips!
Just wanted to give an update on my surgery! All went well, I was very nervous. My Doctor prescribed 3 Senekot S a day as well as 1 tsp of Metamucil (I can tolerate it with Grape Cranberry juice or Lemon Lime Gatorade). I did the "soak in a tub of warm water" after each bowel movement and that really gave me relief. I also did an ice pack every few hours for 10 to 15 minutes. As for eating...after I read the comments on here...I steered clear of meats..period. I had stocked my frig and pantry with gelatin, fruit cups, yogurt, crackers and soups. That first week I stuck to a soft diet even though the Surgeon said I could go back on a regular diet. Sitting up was painful, they suggest you don't use the donut pillow as that puts too much pressure on the rectum. I have a waterbed so there was no pressure on the bottom! I also was on Lortab every 6 hrs. He put me on an Antibiotic but it made me sick as a dog so he told me to use Benadryl. He also prescribed Anusol, I used it after every bowel movement. The second day after surgery I had pressure and rumbling but no bowel movement...I used the suggestion on here about holding yourself off the stool. I called the nurse and she said to take Milk of Magnesia or 3 Dulcolax. I took the milk of magnesia and passed the "plug" that he had inserted. The main thing I suggest is don't overdo it, they say this surgery is worse than natural childbirth and I BELIEVE THEM! Thanks to everyone who posted on here your experience, it helped me to prepare. My Surgery looks successful, thank the Lord!
Had hemorrhoidecotmy 7 days ago. 3 big internal grade 3&4 hemorrhoids removed and a small external one. I was constipated from the start...Doctor said things would get nasty if I didn't have BMs after 3-4 days so I panicked a bit and tried going on the second day.. forced it a bit and pushed.. big mistake. Started having lots of spasms and could barely move. Didn't have BMs until the 3rd day.. worst pain of my life.. and I can take pain.. Only managed to do it when squatting, although I peed all over the place and - just - managed not to pass out... had to lie in the shower floor for 15-20 minutes before being able to stand up...saw myself in the mirror and was extremely pale... had some very rough days after that and like others was afraid to go again (had the next BM 3 days later.. no better, but since I've had plenty of BMs and pain has decreased significantly).. long story short, here is what's worked for me:
1. START THE RECOVERY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE.
2. IF YOU'RE ALREADY IN PAIN. It all comes down to BMs. Ironically, pooping is what's going to heal you, as my Dr. explained, poop will help get rid of the scalp and uncover/help the scar... So here are somethings that have worked for me:
2.1 STAY CALM. Clearly you are not the first person to go through this.. there are many of us, and in the end we are surviving the pain. When it comes to your BMs KEEP BREATHING. Inhale/Exhale profoundly and constantly.. this has helped me avoid the pushing.. its a bit slower than pushing, and you may be back in the toilet a couple more times in the same day. But the pain diminishes with every go.
2.2 PREPARE YOUR BATHROOM BEFORE YOUR NEXT BM. - I keep a box of sub-lingual pain killers in the bathroom... (Dr. gave me Ketorolac .. as a "rescue" pain killer.. ask your Dr...).so I take it just as I am starting the BM..(only if its a big one, because I've been going 4 times a day..at least yesterday) - Unfortunately I don't have a tub but I did install an old Telephone Hose I had - from when my wife was pregnant and could barely shower - just before surgery. So while I'm finishing the BM I'm already getting naked and ready to jump right into the shower... (better idea, get naked before the BM if you have the time..) applying warm water (don't go with very hot water) is very comforting..If your water takes a while to heat, turn it on before you get on the toilet. - I also have baby wipes ready inside the shower. This is so much better than toilet paper and very comforting.. movements from the back towards the genitals work best to clean up. Apply water, swipe once.. repeat..you'll never fully clean up because a little blood is always there. The ocasional water in the face helps distract a bit..and Keep breathing deeply to avoid spasms. Also just realized that I would go in the shower with my knees flexed.. but pain is less when I straighten them up. - I also put a chair inside the shower (with a towel on top to prevent slipping) in case I feel tired or weak I can take a break. - If you are using some kind of ointment, keep it in your fridge.. applying it cold is very soothing. I used to put a gauss between my cheeks but found this bothers me a lot.. tried underwear but it ends ups sticking in there and bothers a lot.
So I have discovered the best alternative is to PUT A BIG TOWEL IN YOUR BED and just lie on top of it and let gravity do its thing..I have also been sleeping this way.. butt naked... much more comfortable and the bed sheets don't get messy and its easier to change towels. - Keep a set of clean clothes in the bathroom.. you don't want to be walking around too much after this. - Pooping and taking a warm shower are usually two very relaxing activities....combine it with the pain though and you might get a bit dizzy if you're standing up when finished.. So its best to sit/lie down after for a bit.. sometimes I lie down first and apply the ointment after a bit of time goes by.
- SQUATTING HELPS A LOT...
3. FOOD. OBVIOUSLY. I am still working this out although I am on very high fiber bland diet... will elaborate more after I see some results.. Everything that goes in must come out.. but don't starve yourself you need the energy and if you eat the right things you help move things along. Google High Fibre rich foods and buy what you like..Hopefully someone can do the shopping for you...
HELP YOUR STOMACH.. CHEW EVERYTHING MULTIPLE TIMES..I am eating lots of papaya, figs, banana, all bran, scrambled eggs, tuna, chicken, white fish and or salmon. I stopped eathing boiled carrots (from the minestrone) because i saw little pieces in my poop.. look out for food you aren't digesting properly. Lots of water / non couloured gatorade - grape, applejuice and jell-o.. Nature's Bakery's Fig Bars are a good snack for once a day.
4. TAKE YOUR TIME. - Let go of the pressure from work. If you get an email or message from a client. IGNORE IT. Made me very nervous as to when I would be back etc... just makes you feel worse and you can eventually start doing home offices at times as you start feeling better.. - The Dr. that did the colonoscopy told me it would be a 4-5 day thing. So I have clearly been doing some rescheduling, and reached out to colleagues to help out.. - Telling the difference between a gas and a BM is very tricky mostly under a minute to get to the restroom... Best to stay inside.. I'll prob need another whole week before being able to go out..
OTHER TIPS: - Don't hold your pee.. a full bladder just leaves less space for the aldready swollen rest..
MEN - YOU CAN HAVE AN EMPTY PLASTIC BOTTLE NEXT TO YOU AT ALL TIMES.. make sure its big enough.. that way you don't have to stand up and go to the restroom every time..
- USE YOUR KNEES. when standing up, or sitting down.. try not to bend your stomach... use your legs instead..makes it a lot easier. - Dr. told me that between the 5th and 8th day after surgery a bit more blood may appear on your BMs again.. this is normal.
- KEEP A 'DIARY' I have a note on my phone where I write down everything.. how many times I pooped that day, at what time, how much, if blood was present, how painful it was, etc... this may help you tell your Dr. how things progressed if thing get bad but also will give you an idea what foods are working with you.. more or less see a pattern of what time your next BM will be.. etc... Also ser your alarms for meds... Hopefully we will all get better soon.. good luck, and STAY CALM!
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You will go through hell the first 1-2 weeks, but it does get better and you will get over it... get started on a fiber and liquid rich diet.. want to have a light BM the first time. Also get a squatty potty or similar ....if you don't own one already now's a good time to order one... this is a must!
Keep a good attitude, its a tough recovery but it will bring healthier habits to your life and things will be better! Cheers!
Went into this blind, Gyno suggested for it to be removed and said it would be a simple procedure such as a band aid. Didn't realize there were multiple methods to remove. Went to appt, dr did the traditional numbing, snipped and stitched. Left at 3:30 pm with a prescription for hydro condone and lidocaine. And to buy stool softener. I asked what if I had to go to the restroom, was told it would hurt and maybe some bleeding. And to help with the soreness, do a warm water bath.
Got home, had a regular meal and got ready for bed. Had BM, a bit of pain but manageable.
The next day, Saturday got pain meds and took them throughout day. Felt fine, a bit of stinging and burning. But it was bearable. Was at a baby shower and moving about all day. Had a lot of party foods such as sandwiches, pulled pork, chips/dip. Again, had BM and pain was manageable.
Sunday, Up and about. Cooked Indian butter chicken and went to sister's apt. still on pain meds, a little bit of stinging and burning when moving around. By afternoon, I felt nauseous and we left home and napped. Had BM but was manageable.
Come Monday, drove to work, ate breakfast, drank a cup of water and took hydrocodone. I felt really nauseous. Left work and mgr advising it was the pain meds making me feel that way. Stopped taking it then and there and switched to ibuprofen that night. No BM that day.
Tuesday, worked from home. Pain was still manageable, bit of stinging and burning. Applying lidocaine after each use to restroom, and after using baby wipes to clean. Had a Big Mac for dinner. No BM today either. Took 1 pill 200mg of stool softener. Took 200mg ibuprofen every 4 hours.
Wednesday, worked from home again. Had BM around noon, pain manageable. An hour or so after, excruciating pain! I stopped working. Took another 400mg ibuprofen. Got an ice pack and laid on my belly with it freezing my bums. I was pain free and loving it until I had to get up to pee. The pain was back, but manageable. Now I'm scared half to death of moving for fear of the excruciating pain coming back.
Wished I read up on this before getting this done. Flying out to Colorado for a mini vacation and had a white water rafting trip scheduled within 10 days, (which seems like I'll have to cancel now).
Doctor was not a great one and poorly informed of post surgery care. Thanks to all the responses on here to help me with post surgery and hopefully no more excruciating pain which caused spasm and anxiety. It's greatly appreciated.
- I'll be switching to Tylenol or the likes since I just read that ibuprofen could slow down the healing process.
- liquid diets now, mostly will involve smoothies with yogurt, spinach, chia seeds, probiotics, berries and banana. And fiber!
- take stool softener once at night and in morning
- water, plenty more of it
- definitely try squatting. Have a squatty potty but it seems to put me in more pain.. Been leaning to one side more recently which seem to help a little.