It has been exactly a month since my haemorrhoidectomy and I’d like to share my experiences with anyone who is about to have the operation and is wondering how it goes with the recuperation.

For years I endured internal and external haemorrhoids and the associated discomfort – particularly the bleeding when having a BM.  The creams, gels and suppositories were not working and it was only when I got a reality check from a friendly gastroenterologist that I realised I had to get the operation.

Initial blood tests revealed I was anaemic due to the blood loss and I was given an immediate Iron transfusion.  A colo-rectal surgeon had a look at me and told me that my 4th degree haemorrhoids had to go.  2 weeks later I had booked the operation.

The day of the operation went by in a haze and it was only the next day that I properly woke up.  There was no BM that day but on the third day I managed to do one.  I had heard that the first BM would be painful and, as others have attested, on a scale of 1-10, this BM was a clear ‘10’.  Total excruciating agony.  Even while I was fully dosed up on painkillers (endone, tramadol, diazepam and proctorhoid) this was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life.

Over the next week I ate very little (fear of having a BM) and kept taking stool softeners with my small portions of soup and yoghurt.   Each motion was probably around #8 on the pain scale – but at least nothing like that first one.  The Magnesium Sulphate salt baths were fantastic at soothing the pain, I was having 2 or 3 a day.

To cut a long story short: two weeks later I was back at work and one month later I can pass a stool very easily with only a small amount of pain (maybe #2 or 3 on the scale).  I do not have to take any kind of pain relief, have no blood leakage and am Iron replete.  Perhaps one of the side-benefits of this experience is that I have lost almost 4kg and feel much healthier, energetic and alert.  Yes, this is a painful experience but if you have significant haemorrhoids do not kid yourself any longer – the gels and creams will not work.  Be brave, book the operation and get it over & done with.  In just a few weeks time you will be so very glad you did it.

Good luck,

P