Hi folks.  46 y/o male here  who had the surgery 11 days ago.  Had 3 exterior hemorrhoids that I'd had for 10+ years that I wanted taken care of.  I did quite a bit of reading about this surgery prior to having it done, and was so nervous right up until I went under anesthesia.   I prepared myself to be in excruciating pain for 5-10 days and hoped for the best.  I must say, the surgery was quick and painless and I was pleasantly surprised at the level of pain I was in the first couple nights.  I'd say the first night I was about a 5-6, but I was drugged up pretty good.   Staying ahead of the pain is def important!   Another important thing to note is I wasn't in constant pain all day.  It would subside and I would feel pretty good at times.   The first night I could not pee and had to go to ER for a catheter.   That didn't help but it wasnt as bad as I had anticipated.  It was more annoying than anything.   Overall, the first 5 days went remarkably well for me.  I stayed between a 3-5 on the pain threshold.  The excruciating pain never happened.   I stayed on the pain meds for around 7 days, took lots of sitz baths, and tried to keep my diet simple so I would not have bad bowel movements.  After day 7, I stopped the daily meds and only took them as needed,  that might have been a little soon because the last 4 days have been painful after bowel movements.    As of last few days, my evening have typically been pain free.   Next morning after I get up and have breakfast, I then have to have a BM.  That's where the tough pain comes.  My anus throbs and I get a sharp pain in my right buttock and down my leg, and my groin throbs.   Having the BM is not painful, but it sets off a nerve somewhere and takes a bit to calm it down.   I'm hoping this will ease up in time.   I am taking two colace at night and miralax in the morning, along with high fiber foods.   The act of a BM has never hurt much at all, just the pain after.   If you are contemplating this surgery, here are  gas that I have felt has helped  me with recovery.   Pain meds.   Take them every 6 hours like clock work.   Rest.  Get plenty.   Water.  Drink lots!   Items to have BEFORE surgery.  Sits bath - a must!  Get at CVS, Wal Greens, Wal-Mart, Amazon.   Baby wipes - they are alcohol free.  No toilet paper.   Adult diapers for leakage.  Yes there will be leakage.   Get over having to wear a diaper.  It's temporary and if you have an unexpected bowel movement, you will be safe.   Donut seat.  Another life, butt, saver.  I got two.  One for car one for home.  They do help.  Netflixx or good books to read.  You need something to help pass the time.   Patience.   It's day 11 and I feel like I should be fully recovered, but it's not reality.   My stitches are still there and I still have pain, some bleeding and leakage, but I am looking forward to being fully recovered and NOT having to deal with hemorrhoids.   Good luck to anyone considering this surgery or who is scheduled to have it done.