Good evening all!

I am a 47 year old female who is one week post hemmorhoidectomy. i have been reading many of the posts on this site and have found every single one to be helpful and calming.  i decided to sign up so that i can pay it forward and share some hope and humor to those who stumble upon this site and my post.

First things first, I want to shed some light on what got me to where I was when i was told i needed this surgery.  I currently live a healthful life.  I exercise regularly, eat as clean as possible, do not consume alcohol (quit 10.17.16) and even stay away from soda.  However, for the years from 18 to 30, I was deeply ensnarled by the grips of bulemia.  I managed to get to the other side and have been in recovery since 2000, so that is the good news.  The bad news is that the three columns of hemmorhoids that were removed last week can be directly connected to my time as a bulemic.  

Now that the picture is painted, I will detail my current journey.  This is, by far, the most emotionally and physically taxing experience i have endured to date.  A bit more background: the roids were mostly well behaved, save minor bleeding episodes in 2009 and 2014.  Fast forward to October, 2016 when I clearly recalled feeling like a door closed after each BM, thereby trapping all remaining matter and causing me cramping, gas and bloating.  After a few days of this, I took myself off of all dairy and gluten, lost a lot of weight and managed to be o.k.  I slowly added some wheat products back in with little or no bad affects.  Then.....

Somehow along the way, I got messed up on my meds for my hypoactive thyroid and my TSH levels went down....way down.  This happened right around the same time as my cramping, constipation etc. began again.  Fast forward to the meeting with the colorectal surgeon who, after examining me, said a hemmorhoidectomy was my only option.  That was on a Tuesday and I was able to get the surgery that following Friday, which was a week ago today.  

My recovery mirrors that of many other members here.  I am off my pain meds and am able to follow the orders in the post op instructions.  I have had one day with bad diarrhea, but two imodium managed to fix that issue.  I have significant discomfort after every movement and use my sitz bath up to 10 times a day, mostly after every movement.  My most significant complaint at present is very noticeable bloating and feeling of fullness after every meal, but I have faith that once my thyroid is back in check, this pesky symptom will fade.  I am consuming a healthy dose of fiber, a good amount of protein and lots lots lots of water. 

This recovery is HELL, make no mistake.  BUT, it will get better.  Please make a point of advocating for yourself throughout your entire recovery journey.  Call your DR. as many times as needed to get the help and peace you need.  DO NOT FORGET that NO ONE knows YOU like YOU know YOU.  A super high fiber diet may not work for you, post surgery, as well as it may for someone else.  Short of having a full blown exploratory surgery prior to your procedure, no one but you will ever be able to know EXACTLY what works best for you.  Get comfortable with LOTS of trial and error and open your heart up to a GIGANTIC dose of humility to come your way.  The time at home with my fiance, appreciating all the help and love and patience she so generously provides on the regular is, by far, the best part of this whole ordeal.  

Don't give up.  This site has given me hope I deeply needed and I wish the same for you.  i have lots of additional info on tests I had in the months before the surgery, so feel free to ask any questions you wish and I will do my best to answer.