Hemorrhoid Surgery and PAIN

I'd love to see how things are going a few years later with your story.  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

I would like to share my experience. I am a 25 year old male and have been dealing with hemorrhoid for the last few years. I got a hemorrhoidectomy about 3 weeks ago to remove about 3 external hemorrhoids which were giving me problems - bleeding every time I had a BM, not being able to do certain activities for too long, extreme pain after BMs where I could not move. I had my internal hemorrhoids (3 of them) removed about a year ago through an in-office procedure called rubber banding. This was not a pleasant experience and each internal hemorrhoid had to be rubber banded separately every 2 weeks.
I have to say that having a hemorrhoidectomy has been THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! I wish I read about the procedure before I did it but only found this site days into the procedure. Day 1 at night felt like I was going to die. The pain was unbearable. The doctor prescribed Percocet 7.5 and another set of meds (that were only to be taken for a period of 5 days post op they were anti-inflammatory). Well taking 1 Percocet wasn't enough to soothe the pain and I was forced to double my dosage. This pain last for the entire first week. My first BM came on the 4th day and it can only be described as hell on earth. Not even a lot came out and it was still painful (when describing my bowel movements I would give them the "golf ball thru a garden hose analogy"). After each BM and when pain was severe I sat in the bathtub (sometimes sitting in the bathtub for hours just to soothe the pain). I continued taking Metamucil fiber pills along with stool softeners. I was recommended senokot a laxative by someone who had given birth but these 2 procedures are completely different (even if the pain can be the same...as those who've had a hemorrhoidectomy can attest to). Well as my doctor explained to me at my 2 week check up, laxatives will do nothing but give you cramps and will not help make BMs any easier.
The second week was a lot better in terms of pain. There was still a lot of bleeding but the excruciating hot knife in the anus pain was not there as much. BMs were still horrible. 3 weeks in and they are still not easier. Enemas would help once in a while but my friends who have had this procedure know the pain of an enema. I continue to use gauze pads.
Here are my recommendations for anyone thinking about having this procedure:
-start a liquid and high fiber diet days before the operation.
-really prepare yourself that you are going to have a lot of pain (most people are different but in my experience I believe everyone experiences pain with this procedure).
-have someone who is going to be able to help you thru the days of this procedure. This person will be a godsend to you and you will thank them every step of the way and give them something big when it's all said and done.
-take the prescribed meds (if not prescribed DEMAND THEM) exactly as directed. I was taking mine like clockwork every 4 and 6 hours. At times I had to double my dosage just to survive. These meds do cause constipation.
-keep a high fiber diet (and take fiber pills) as well as drinking a lot of water. I have seen recommendations of 8 cups a day but drink as much as you can. Also use stool softeners to try to keep the stool soft.
-keep a liquid diet for the first week and possibly longer. This will help keep pain from BMs very minimal.
-get plenty of rest. So make sure you can take at least 2 weeks off from work. I highly recommend that.
-contact your doctor if you think there is a problem or you are feeling that bad. They get paid to be your doctor and most doctors I know care that a person is ok. Don't be afraid to call them.
-have a lot of movies or tv shows handy (or books of you like to read) because there will be a lot of wasted time as you can't do much of anything.
That's all I can think of right now. I believe that it does help and I just keep thinking that IT DOES GET BETTER. Good luck if you are having this done, know that it's not just you. And if you've already had this done you know the pain and lets hope that this type of pain never comes back. Thank you.

EB

In answer to your question, the pain is like being in labour, I was crawling around on my hand and knees, and a district nurse had to come eventually and give me an enema. Just remember there will be an end to the pain, all the best. Oh and it really helps if you have someone with you who loves you, you will definitely need help through the recovery.

Too late I researched patient accounts of their agony during the recovery stage of rectal prolapse and haemorrhoidectomy procedures. Not too late I saw that the 100 milligrams of paracetamol prescribed me as post operative pain killer was at best a gesture and at worst counter productive to effective recovery. So I hastily obtained a script for digestics and ramped up my resolve, meditation and other techniques to cope with the intense, intrusive and seemingly interminable pain that these procedures produce.

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So here are some suggestions for you to consider using to help endure the ragged edged and blunt ended, near molten steel, seven headed hydra rammed up your kilt that you’ll experience for at least two weeks post operation.

 

1.            Exhaust all other treatment options and be very sure you understand the pain you will experience from rectal prolapse/haemorrhoidectomy procedures.

2.            Make sure your mind is in a good place and that you haven’t reduced pain tolerance or restricted immune or recovery responses from recent illnesses or conditions.

3.            Make sure you have waiting for you at home the scripts for the maximum painkilling medication available to you BEFORE you go into surgery. Any delay or hiccup in taking pain killers once you are home will be diabolical. You also don’t want to have to rely on friends or family members to go get the medication or have any delusion you might be able to transport yourself post operation to a the pharmacy to obtain it.

4.            Nb Also prior confirm that the pain killers don’t interfere with your anti-depressants, heart, blood pressure or other medications and that your are not allergic to the painkillers. And have waiting at least two weeks supply of these other medications.

5.            Likewise purchase before surgery stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, fibre supplements and haemorrhoidal cream and other skin soothers APPROVED by the surgeon/GP. The best creams provide local anaesthesia to you butt;

6.            Also have probiotics and other good bacteria replacement yoghurts and tablets available as the antibiotics prescribed for the first week of recovery will upset the balance in your stomach.

7.            Hire a sitz bath and buy refined not flake sized salt. Make sure the bath fits into the shower recess you will be using at home. You will become well acquainted with Herr Sitz Bath.

8.            Don’t compromise and get one of those small pseudo-Sitz baths that fit over the toilet. You will want to be sitting in a full size sitz bath with running water available, preferably by way of a hand held flexible shower hose. I found squirting my butt with the cold water that first comes out of the shower hose numbed the area and the warm water that soon flowed through helped ease the pain and cramps.

9.            Don’t be fooled by mild pain during the first day or two after surgery. The anaesthetist likely packed your butt with slow release pain killers. Once they wear off, prepare yourself.

10.        Try to have gas heated hot water or some other way of securing an endless supply of hot water. It won’t be beyond scope to use 2-3 hours of hot water a day.

11.        It possible, try to bed down an effective, relaxed, healthy, daily and reliable poohing regime at least two weeks prior to surgery. You don’t want to be trying to overcome long term constipation, irregularity, diarrhoea, etc as well as deal within the pain and disruption these procedures cause. This may involve regulating your diet and eating the same healthy boring foods in the same quantity at same time every day for at least two weeks prior and two weeks after. This might seem over the top and way too tedious but you will be praying for a quick easy and productive pooh every day for some weeks after surgery.  

12.        Have a radio, music, meditation tapes, books, magazines, crosswords, a laptop, writing materials, TV, DVD movies, new batteries in the remote/s and mobile phone with heaps of credit and anything else that will distract you from the pain and fill the hours you lay writhing in agony;

13.        Perfect your child birth breathing technique. I also found the ‘Mindfullness’ meditations and techniques helped, as did thinking about sex.

14.        Sleep is good. Laying on your stomach is good. Imitating a dead insect with legs in the air also helps.

15.        Tea making facilities in your bedroom will prove handy.

16.        Get six or seven large packets of sensitive non abrasive baby wipes and put a bin next to the toilet for collecting them once soiled. Get someone to empty the bin each day because it soon stinks. Very soft toilet paper also comes in handy to pat dry areas after using the baby wipes. 

17.        Book out your bedroom and ensuite and have your spouse, children and other members of the household understand you have first, immediate and hopefully exclusive right to use these parts of the house. NB Imperative your bed mate sleeps in the spare room or elsewhere because you can’t share a bed during recovery.

18.        Invest in several different sized pillows and comfortable easily washed bed linen.

19.        Bribe your youngest child to reheat the heat bag and swap over ice packs at a moments notice.

20.        Also ensure you know how to use the room air conditioner if installed and that you have sufficient blankets and warm bedding. The effort of combating the pain can leave you intolerant of cold;

21.        BTW I had bouts where my feet were like lumps of ice, regardless of room temperature. My theory is blood flow was concentrating on my nether region so no circulation to extremities like feet;

22.        I found a Swiss ball handy but didn’t have a donut (rubber cushion). I read with amusement another sufferer found the donut completely useless for their bum but damn handy as a head rest when laying in the bath. I sometimes used the Swiss ball on the bed because I found laying on my back with feet and bum off the bed helped. By end of week three, I went and got a donut to help me sit for more than a few minutes.

23.        Tee up your spouse, children, other family member, friend or carer to do daily washing of your towels, bedclothes and sheets. It isn’t so much that you soil them, it just reduces chance of infection and makes you feel good to use fresh clean things each day.

24.        A starter pack of incontinence pads will give piece of mind once the worst of the recovery is over and you want to start walking to aid recovery.

25.        If you are an atheist or agnostic, prepare to reconsider. If you believe in a God, make sure your account is up-to-date and in good order. However, not even God seems to have the resources to help.

26.        Accept that there is no reset button and your decision to have these procedures stopped being reversible once the anaesthetist put the mask over your face.

27.        Pay in advance all bills that will fall due during the recovery period in advance and clear the decks of all commitments and as many worries as you can. You will have no capacity to deal with these matters.

28.        It does you no good to realise that you paid to have this done and it possibly cost a lot of money to experience some of the most profound, pervasive and prolonged pain you will ever encounter.

29.        Identify a major reward you will treat yourself to once back on your feet. Dream every last detail of the pleasure this reward will provide to help you endure the pain.

30.        Counter unimaginative jokes from siblings and colleagues like: putting a pile of trouble behind you; finally getting to the seat of the problem; don’t worry the pain will soon bottom out; with offers to provide signed photos of the affected area.

31.        Have a small mirror handy as you need to check for infection and see what is going on. Be prepared for a shock as a large area around your anus will be black blue and/or red.   

32.        Write down as they emerge but don’t publish all resolutions, epiphanies and ideas for a better healthier happier life. Whilst many will be insightful and long overdue, the extreme pain may cloud your judgment on how best and when to action these resolutions.

33.        Post feedback on buying and wearing a t-shirt that reads ‘I conquered old blood river’ so you can proudly display your ability to ensure the unendurable.       

34.        Don’t bother trying to find someone who has had these procedures done more than once. Most likely they are lying or had Alzheimer’s for some time. (Apologies to anyone who has had to endure this ordeal more than once for emergency or other unavoidable reason).

 

hi just read your note, i am going to have my operation next thursday 30th august,i am so scared i dont know how i will cope,as i am a very frighten person. i have to have them cut ..i am 61yrs have had hemroids for years.yes they are painfull ut the operation scares me.will i be all right/thanks shirley.

I am getting ready to see a doc about my big ass hemorrhoids. Your story was funny to read and real. Thanks for the advice and the good laugh at your humor!

Dude...you need to write a book! I hate when people look at me like I'm disgusting when I cry about my bowels!

I think this is the best and most accurate post that I've read on here so far. People who are writing they're able to return to work on the same day? I simply cannot believe that.
I am now on day 6 post op, and am definitely improving, but was due to return to work yesterday. I have had to book another weeks holiday, which isn't ideal. I work as a chef, and we already work pretty close to the bone in terms of workforce, so I'm lucky to have an understanding boss.
In reality, I'm hoping that by the time I need to return, things are stable enough to cope. Think of 12 hour days standing, in hot kitchens, lifting etc. As you accurately said, if I had known the recovery 'Could' have been this way, I would've waited until I had a longer recoup time.

Thanks for sharing though it's been 5 yrs. So how has it been? Hope you've recovered fully since then.

OMG.. i need surgery Ive been bleeding for the longest.. Ims just so scared to go see a dr. :-(

look if you are bleeding badly you need to go to the emergency room. if its bright red blood when you have a bm, it might be a fissure. Thats just a tear, like a small split inside your rectal area, its not cancer or anything life threatening. You need cream, call the dr tomorrow and make an appt,. if you are embarassed or scared it will be alright, stop worrying, you will be ok

OMG, I don't know where u are now.......after a painful bowl movement my husband and I googled hemaroid pain and ur post was first on the list. We have NEVER laughed so much........I think I'd take euthanasia instead I'd a hemaroidectomy!! What did we learn from ur experience??? Ur comedic written talents are awesome and I need my pelvic floor muscles investigated. Perth, Western Australia

Yikes..I scheeduled for surgery for this and I am now apprehensive...Oh what to do...nice post though and thanks for writing it.

I had my surgery today. I read this blog and all its post 2 nights before. As a result, I went into the surgery a wreck expecting extreme pain and suffering. I was prepared to plead for a morphine pump after reading all the BS on this site. This was my experience (so far):

- 48 hours prior I started downing tons of Fiber pills which did nothing but give me gas (based on the c**p I read on here). Dr. recommended no Fiber after the operation for a few days, but said it was okay to take it prior if I wanted.

- 24 hours prior I started an all liquid diet (based on the c**p I read on here)

- I barely slept the night before

- I went in a wreck. They were going to give me a valium to calm me down, but instead just knocked me out and started the operation- I woke up in the recovery room wondering how much time I had before it would feel like my colon/rectum had been passed through a hot 500 degree garbage disposal. There was minor discomfort and a slight burning sensation. I also felt the urge to pass a BM. The nurse said that was normal and it was the surgerical cream. - I exaggerated my pain level to insure they kept the pain meds coming. I kept requesting pain meds so they pumped me full of (Dilaudid) until I felt nothing. Dilaudid is great. It is more effective than morphine and has less side effects.

- I then went into the recovery room and they gave me a percocet with some crackers and juice.

So here I was a 31 year old grown man that hadnt cried since being a kid laying in a hospital bed heavily medicated eating crackers and cuddling a dog's chew toy (clean and never used by a dog). Yes, I got a lot of strange looks but I did not care. I thought all the lies posted on here would come true.

Here I am.... at home.... very little pain, mostly moderate discomfort (my butt feels sweaty from the meds). I was instructed to wash it tomorrow. Note: DO NOT ADD VINEGAR OR SALT to your Sitz baths like some of these fools are telling you to. That will just make it hurt like hell. Think about it

I feel like I could go back to work tomorrow, but plan to take at least  1 week off (until my post op follow up).

Of course, this might all change later tonight or tomorrow.  I have reached my max. out of pocket expenses with my insurance. Worst case, I will go to ER for pain management and have them load me up on Dilaudid and repeat each day as necessary (if needed).

My advice to people having this procedure done:The people that post on here are a bunch of complainers with low thresholds for pain. Probably the same people who shed tears when they get a hang nail. Do not let this post scare you. I wish I never read this post prior to my surgery. All it did was stress me out.

Try to clear your system out prior with fiber and a liquid diet

Request Dilaudid and percocet

 

 

Good luck, give it a couple of days and lets see how you are doing, and whether you complain or not...as****e!