After suffering for 25 years with hemerroids and being embarrassed to see a Doctor I finally made the first decision to take back my life and face exactly what was going on "down there"..I am a 52 year old single woman. I have been self concisous over my situation to the point my "butt" was ruling my social life..causing me so much anxiety and stress that I could no longer take it. I had spoke to a few close friends who had similar situations and had opted for surgery..the 3 people I spoke with all had rather unpleasent stories but I was hoping that maybe mine were not that bad and maybe could be treated with banding or some less invasive method of removal.
I sought out a Colon Rectal Doctor rather than a Gastro..I figured... go to the best. And I think that was the right move. I was so nervous about even being examined that I broke out in a sweat just thinking about it. I was treated with so much compassion from the entire staff from my first phone call to my actual office visit. Before the Doctor even touched me we spoke at length about what I thought was going on and how it had been effecting my life..the Doctor was hoping they could be treated with banding. He told me of the various proceedures and said OK..let's see what we are dealing with and I was taken to a examining room. He was extremely gentle and told me everything before he touched me. The exam was painless and easy and fast. I dressed went back to his office and was told that due to the size and the number of both internal and external hemerroids I had surgery would be my only option...other than to do nothing and continue to live half a life. I was not willing to go back..I had come this far and knew it was now or never so I immediately scheduled the surgery. He advised me that it was not going to be fun, that is was very painful but I would survive and be happier once it was "behind me".
I made the mistake of getting on the internet and reading all the horror stories..obsessing over the decision I had made to have the surgery...I kept moving forward and just had to but my faith in the hands of my surgeon and God.
My Doctor provided me with lots of reading material and intructions to PREPARE for the surgery. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART...I was so stressed out for several days before the surgery that was hardly eating anything, this was a good thing...stop eating fatty fried foods...eat lots of fruits and veggies, fish rather than red meat..basically get your body ready. Prior to the surgery I drank a Colon Cleanse Magnesium Citrate which did not taste bad at all..and did 2 enemas the morning of the surgery..I also was on a completly liquid diet for 2 days before the prep. THIS HELPS SO MUCH!!! I figured that if my system was cleaned out I would be able to go several days without a BM and give my butt a chance to heal some.
I entered the surgery center and met with my Anethisiologist I had a general so I was asurred i wouldn't fee a thing and I didn't..I was asleep as they wheeled me into the operating room. I woke up after about 2 hours..I was in zero pain...once I was able to urinate which I did on the first try I was released. My doctor told my mother that my hemerroids were very large and it was the right decision to have them removed. My mom drove me home and I went to bed. Many hours passed as I waiting for the pain to come...I took pain meds and Stool Softeners as instructed..I was on Nucenta..a new "Designer Drug" that does not have the usual side affects such as constipation that the other pain meds do..it was awesome! Anyway..there was no pain!!! I was a little uncomfortable as my anus felt "full" but not painful...I was told that I had a small "packing" to stop bleeding and that it would come out after a few days or with my first BM. I slep well that first night and took my meds around the clock as I didn't want to be in pain. The next day I remained on the liquid diet...soup, jello, juice and water. The 2nd day passes without any events...urinating was fine..things were totally tolerable. Day 3 I felt like I needed to pass gas..but because I had that packing still in..I didnt think i could do it...I decided to take it out...which was really easy and painless..it had some kind of neosporin or something so it slide out easy...I felt much better after that was out...1 thing I was worrying about was over...now for the fun part I thought...waiting for the first BM..I had heard that people pass out from the pain that if feels like your being stabbed...etc etc...so I was on day 4 all stressed out waiting for the big event...when all of a sudden it hit me...ok....i have to go!!!! I got a VERY sudden urge and thought ok brace yourself....and then there was no PAIN!!!! More a feeling of the wind being knocked out of me..but not pain in my rectum...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now the worst was over!!! I ran a sitz bath and soaked for about 15 minutes...you will do this many times throughout the day for hygene as well as for the soothing releif you get...it did sting a little when you have to wipe..but you really just have to soak to get clean. I also used Tucks very gently to clean myself. So this was now my routine...go in the morning and get it out of the way...I used to be a sitter...now I just go and get off..that could be partial cause for my situation in the first place...anyway..I tired to increase my food around day 6 and that was a mistake...even though was I was eating was healthy it was just too much and the following day I had to BM 6 times and it was not comfortable...the next day I didn't go at all and that was great! So then I got back on track...it is now day 13..I am still sticking to a rather bland diet..no cheese, nut meats or anything spicy..just remember what ever goes in has to come out...I drink a lot of fruit juices and soups. I go tomorrow for my first post op visit and I am very please with everything! I took a peek down there and was pleasently surprised to see a "normal" butt and can only assume that it will improve even more after some more time healing. I would describe the entire experience so far as uncomfortable but certainly NOT the painful horror that most described. I swore i would write a POSITIVE story and so I hope that's was I have provided. I would say if you are suffering with this nasty problem...FIX IT!!! I can already feel myself with new confidence and am so glad that I don't have to hide myself in shame any more! Good luck and i will keep you all updated as I progress.
NOTE: I had my surgery in Orange County California..My Doctor was AWESOME!!!
Loading...
Loading...