I've begged God to have mercy and I've promised him so many things I really hope this gets better soon
Had my surgery last Wednesday (seven large external) and it is Monday night. I too read the horror stories and almost backed out, but manned up and went through with it. On a side note, I admit I do love the pre-surgery prep--warm blanket, nurses doting on me, the IV that makes me drowsy then...sleep! Okay, then I wake up in recovery and all is well (demerol coursing through my system). I went home and settled in. My lovely wife had pureed some high fiber soups for me when the time came for me to start eating, but I kept it to water and juices for the first 36 hours. For the first two days the pain was bearable--I didn't want an opioid and my prescription for ketorolac (non-opioid pain med) didn't get filled until Friday, so I got by om 400mg of ibuprofen every four hours, if that gives you any indication of the pain level (I'm still getting by on ibuprofen). I had six BMs in the first two days and it was tolerable, but then on day three the painful, stinging BMs set in. Although still bearable, I did need to put in a rubber mouth guard to keep from chipping my teeth from biting down, which I'm still using. I'm taking 5-6 baths/sitz baths per day, which have become a necessary activity for hygiene and pain relief, as wiping still isn't an option. Physically, I was feeling good enough to take walks and even go shopping, but I think I may have over done it, as a fatigue hit me hard today. I strongly suggest you buy pads for your shorts, which I'm needing to change upto six times per day; I foresee needing them for at least a few weeks. Personally I prefer Kleinart's large underarm sweat pads (ever wonder how execs and speakers rarely have pit stains?). You can go to their website and select away, but get enough for a couple months. Bottom line: although painful, it's not close to the horror stories I read about and would voluntarily do it again, though I hope not to. By the way, even though there's still some swelling, I've got to admit my bum is already looking quite handsome, perhaps even dashing! Don't fear and good luck, all...the end (of your hemorrhoid pain) is nigh!!!