12 days ago I went into private hospital day surgery to have the much horrifying procedure done. Banding of 2 internal hammorroids as well as the removal of a Stage 5 external hemmorroid visble at the very anal opening (and what I was told ca 10cm long).
Seeing I was already going in my Dr suggested I have a Colonoscopy done a the same time to ensure my bowel was 'intact' and looking normal. This was not necessary but seeing I was going to be asleep I agreed to do this as well. The Colonoscopy I learned was when they go up with a camera through your bum and work their way through to the bowel to look at it from the inside.
When I initially visited the GP I expected her to say 'Not a problem! We are going to band this little visible peanut size lump and it will take ca one week for it to fall off and then your cured! Little did I know I had to go into surgery and do a full on operation with a rather extensive recovery time. Oh dear. I had not told my partner and had no intention to do so either until I a few days prior to my scheduled date I realised I had to! My partner was completely unaware of my condition as I've been very good at hiding it (if I 'pushed it in' it would stay there for a little bit before it then decided to reveal it self again). This was my utterly most embarrassing thing.
I am today 36 yo and have for as long as I can remember had this visible hemmorroid. Not really that uncomfortable (unless I grew used to the pain) but more so quite nasty as it left skidmarks on my underpants and I constantly had to hide this dirty laundry. Sometimes it did bleed and sting a little but this only ever occurred like once a month or so and when I had a really hard stool. There would be a bit of blood on the toilet paper and then it would stop in a few seconds. I have learned some people suffer terrible pains all the time from this so I guess I was lucky in that way.
Probably, this was initially caused by my endlessly straining toilet visits. If I remained seated (at times up to 2 hrs) because I was constipated or the magazines were too interesting, I guess I'll never know. My minimal daily water intake (up till ca 2 years ago ca half a glass a day - on average) and consequently low kidney meridian and genetically low blood pressure did probably not help much. What I just mentioned with the water etc. I'm not sure have had anything o do with me getting these nasty things but after reading several articles they do seem to go hand in hand. What I do know is I wish my mum or dad had told me to get up sooner!
(2 days prior to my scheduled day)
Two prescribed evening tablets called Duralex.
(1 day before operation)
Second lot of the Duralex.
Also....I had to take Pico Prep! A fluid that tasted and smelled of hospital and that would trigger my bowel and intestines to COMPLETELY empty. I was luckily advised to remain at home this whole day prior to the surgery as I would have to go INSTANTLY when they started to kick in. And they sure did. Ca 40 mins after I had slowly zipped the unpleasant but bearable drink (3 times in total during that day) ...I had to go...NOW!
Additional to this I had to have a 'clear fluids only' diet this whole day. This was due to the Colonoscopy as the camera going up my bum otherwise being pointless as there would be too much coloured stuff in the way.
(day of procedure)
I went in around midday and was given the anaesthetic just before 1pm. I was knocked out instantly.
To my horror I found out on the day that the anaesthetist that would be present in the theatre was male! My Dr noticed my expression and advised me he would be up the top end and would not be viewing the procedure. Who knows if this was true. It was comforting news to me.
When I woke up less then an hr later I could immediately feel an excruciating pain in my lower regions.
I was laying on my back and thought surely it would have been better to let me wake up in a different position!
Seeing I was in pain I was given a dose that most likely contained morphine and remained in the recovery room till around 4pm when my partner arrived. I was so happy to see him and wondered why I had ever thought to not tell him about it! I left the recovery room I think ca 3 hrs after I was given the anaesthetic.
(At home the first 5 days)
I remained on the couch the first 2 and a half days. Slept on the side or on my tummy and chewing pain killers through out the first few days constantly. I moved extremely slowly the first couple of days but day three it felt better. Still very painful but improving. I did not however leave the house the first 5 days as I walked very funny and did want to be seen outside in that so obvious way.
My dr had advised me day 4 would be the worst. She was right. The pain changed from this internal pain to something more tangible and more targeted. I guess I could feel the actual wound. We had email contact and she advised this was normal. Keep drinking lots of water and fluids of all sorts. Eating lots of fruit and Vedge is good as it contains fibres and will assist with the pooping. Pssylium fibre was strongly recommended and to immediately take up my normal eating habits (perhaps to avoid the really heavy meals the very first day). Also the first 2 days I was feeling as if I had to go to the toilet constantly. She advised this was the Sphinx muscle having spasms attacks due to the procedure and would stop after a couple of days. Just relax and try to not go.
What I was advised was very important was to get my bowel to open up as soon as possible so to not allow the stool to become hard as this could cause problems. If necessary I could take a stool softener which I had bought but only had to use two tablets from (so far that is).
I did not open my bowel till day 3 or 4 and I was scared. It did not hurt as I had thought Probably cause I was on pain killers.
At the end of the operation the dr had left a cotton cloth in the very opening of my bottom which was very weird to have stuck there. Day two or 3 this cloth sort of came out on its own and I never made any attempts to pull it out. I ensured to keep this cloth 'moinst' as moisture (clean moisture that is) is meant to speed the healing process up (comparative to keeping everything too dry which can apparently lead to a very stinging feeling when the skin sort of splits.
I was advised to do the bum-in-a-tub thing to soothe and keep clean but have no tub at home so shower is working fine. I poked my bum under the warm running water probably 5 times a day the first 4-5 days. When ever I felt in need of a soothe but definitely after every toilet visit. No rubbing or attempt to spread the cheeks to clean. Only allowing the water to run over the wound/swelling.
After each toilet visit (even just the wee) I ensured I folded some toilet paper held it under the warm sink water and then softly pressed it against the wound (or the swelling rather) Only for a couple of seconds. This felt like it had a gentle cleaning effect and today , day 12 I still do this. It seems to work. I also ensure I change to fresh underwear twice a day.
(day 6)
I left the house. 2 hrs in total and then I had to go home cause it was quite painful to walk and sit at the wooden cafe stool.
Cheeks rubbing when walking was not a very nice feeling and the dumb little green man when crossing the street turns red way too fast!
The swelling seems to have gone down a lot though. It was (is) still very sore and I have to move slowly but it is improving.
Not so many painkillers during the day.
(day 7)
I went out for a few hrs. Slowly adjusting. Great!
(day 8)
I got very confident and stayed outside and up on my feet almost the whole day 8 and most of day 9.
I even did some very light lifting of some chairs. I took a couple of painkillers in the morning and then one through out the day.
-Wow , this is not so bad! I thought till the evening came and I started to feel a little strange. Kind of nauseous or like I had the flue.
(day 9-10)
Got a lot worse.
In an attempt to cross the road I took 2-3 running steps (forgot) and it felt like I was stabbed. Could not go to the toilet at all. Felt like I had to constantly go to empty the bowel though but there was nothing there....but I could feel it ....and I had been eating.
I was too scared to press but could not leave the toilet seat as I really had to go.
I kept drinking but still could not wee. It was like my bladder. Something felt wrong and I prayed I had not done harm to the wound when crossing the road.
I must have tried to go at least 20 times and always the same result. In the end I had to give up as I almost vomited. It was very painful and I sarted to imagine the wound had opened up and the worst thought came to my mind. I kept eating more fibers but it did not help and this was probably the worst night ever. Could not lay down, not sit , not stand Not sleep Could not do anything! I then back tracked and realised I had slacked off with the fluid intake and the activities of day 8 and 9 was clearly too much. It was easy to forget I had just had an operation.
(day 11)
Hurray! All the fibers I had been eating y'day had kicked in and I went to the toilet to do a number 2 around midday (with out having to push much at all- I was back to what it was before this incident and very relieved)
As soon as I had emptied the bowel I was able to wee normally. Wow, what a feelin! I remained very low and calm the rest of the day.
(day 12)
Today is today and I have been taking it easy today as well. I've noticed there is not really any swelling left at all but I am very careful with the toilet and the wiping. Still take to the shower and still use the folded wet paper to 'dab' every 3 hrs or so.
The excruciating pain has not come back again and from what I have read this seems to be the consequence of too much activity and too soon and most likely also my little 'sprinting steps'. I'm regular on the toilet. I'm drinking lots of water and have an intake of psyllium fibre. Eating normal food. I'm still walking a little slow but with a normal posture. Have only taken 2 pain killer this morning and one around midday and am feeling like I am almost ready for work again. Bending down is done very gently and coughing is painful.
I'm wondering if anyone will ever have the time and patience to read this rather long text. I was quite a good feeling to write about it and hopefully someone will recognise them selves. I sincerely wish anyone having had or considering such a procedure done the best of luck. I personally did not realise a wound from a Hemmorroidectomy could take between 6-12 weeks to heal but will do my outmost to stick to known facts and follow my gut feeling in this slow healing process. From what 'I can see' it looks pretty good and clean and I am feeling positve.
Seeing I was already going in my Dr suggested I have a Colonoscopy done a the same time to ensure my bowel was 'intact' and looking normal. This was not necessary but seeing I was going to be asleep I agreed to do this as well. The Colonoscopy I learned was when they go up with a camera through your bum and work their way through to the bowel to look at it from the inside.
When I initially visited the GP I expected her to say 'Not a problem! We are going to band this little visible peanut size lump and it will take ca one week for it to fall off and then your cured! Little did I know I had to go into surgery and do a full on operation with a rather extensive recovery time. Oh dear. I had not told my partner and had no intention to do so either until I a few days prior to my scheduled date I realised I had to! My partner was completely unaware of my condition as I've been very good at hiding it (if I 'pushed it in' it would stay there for a little bit before it then decided to reveal it self again). This was my utterly most embarrassing thing.
I am today 36 yo and have for as long as I can remember had this visible hemmorroid. Not really that uncomfortable (unless I grew used to the pain) but more so quite nasty as it left skidmarks on my underpants and I constantly had to hide this dirty laundry. Sometimes it did bleed and sting a little but this only ever occurred like once a month or so and when I had a really hard stool. There would be a bit of blood on the toilet paper and then it would stop in a few seconds. I have learned some people suffer terrible pains all the time from this so I guess I was lucky in that way.
Probably, this was initially caused by my endlessly straining toilet visits. If I remained seated (at times up to 2 hrs) because I was constipated or the magazines were too interesting, I guess I'll never know. My minimal daily water intake (up till ca 2 years ago ca half a glass a day - on average) and consequently low kidney meridian and genetically low blood pressure did probably not help much. What I just mentioned with the water etc. I'm not sure have had anything o do with me getting these nasty things but after reading several articles they do seem to go hand in hand. What I do know is I wish my mum or dad had told me to get up sooner!
(2 days prior to my scheduled day)
Two prescribed evening tablets called Duralex.
(1 day before operation)
Second lot of the Duralex.
Also....I had to take Pico Prep! A fluid that tasted and smelled of hospital and that would trigger my bowel and intestines to COMPLETELY empty. I was luckily advised to remain at home this whole day prior to the surgery as I would have to go INSTANTLY when they started to kick in. And they sure did. Ca 40 mins after I had slowly zipped the unpleasant but bearable drink (3 times in total during that day) ...I had to go...NOW!
Additional to this I had to have a 'clear fluids only' diet this whole day. This was due to the Colonoscopy as the camera going up my bum otherwise being pointless as there would be too much coloured stuff in the way.
(day of procedure)
I went in around midday and was given the anaesthetic just before 1pm. I was knocked out instantly.
To my horror I found out on the day that the anaesthetist that would be present in the theatre was male! My Dr noticed my expression and advised me he would be up the top end and would not be viewing the procedure. Who knows if this was true. It was comforting news to me.
When I woke up less then an hr later I could immediately feel an excruciating pain in my lower regions.
I was laying on my back and thought surely it would have been better to let me wake up in a different position!
Seeing I was in pain I was given a dose that most likely contained morphine and remained in the recovery room till around 4pm when my partner arrived. I was so happy to see him and wondered why I had ever thought to not tell him about it! I left the recovery room I think ca 3 hrs after I was given the anaesthetic.
(At home the first 5 days)
I remained on the couch the first 2 and a half days. Slept on the side or on my tummy and chewing pain killers through out the first few days constantly. I moved extremely slowly the first couple of days but day three it felt better. Still very painful but improving. I did not however leave the house the first 5 days as I walked very funny and did want to be seen outside in that so obvious way.
My dr had advised me day 4 would be the worst. She was right. The pain changed from this internal pain to something more tangible and more targeted. I guess I could feel the actual wound. We had email contact and she advised this was normal. Keep drinking lots of water and fluids of all sorts. Eating lots of fruit and Vedge is good as it contains fibres and will assist with the pooping. Pssylium fibre was strongly recommended and to immediately take up my normal eating habits (perhaps to avoid the really heavy meals the very first day). Also the first 2 days I was feeling as if I had to go to the toilet constantly. She advised this was the Sphinx muscle having spasms attacks due to the procedure and would stop after a couple of days. Just relax and try to not go.
What I was advised was very important was to get my bowel to open up as soon as possible so to not allow the stool to become hard as this could cause problems. If necessary I could take a stool softener which I had bought but only had to use two tablets from (so far that is).
I did not open my bowel till day 3 or 4 and I was scared. It did not hurt as I had thought Probably cause I was on pain killers.
At the end of the operation the dr had left a cotton cloth in the very opening of my bottom which was very weird to have stuck there. Day two or 3 this cloth sort of came out on its own and I never made any attempts to pull it out. I ensured to keep this cloth 'moinst' as moisture (clean moisture that is) is meant to speed the healing process up (comparative to keeping everything too dry which can apparently lead to a very stinging feeling when the skin sort of splits.
I was advised to do the bum-in-a-tub thing to soothe and keep clean but have no tub at home so shower is working fine. I poked my bum under the warm running water probably 5 times a day the first 4-5 days. When ever I felt in need of a soothe but definitely after every toilet visit. No rubbing or attempt to spread the cheeks to clean. Only allowing the water to run over the wound/swelling.
After each toilet visit (even just the wee) I ensured I folded some toilet paper held it under the warm sink water and then softly pressed it against the wound (or the swelling rather) Only for a couple of seconds. This felt like it had a gentle cleaning effect and today , day 12 I still do this. It seems to work. I also ensure I change to fresh underwear twice a day.
(day 6)
I left the house. 2 hrs in total and then I had to go home cause it was quite painful to walk and sit at the wooden cafe stool.
Cheeks rubbing when walking was not a very nice feeling and the dumb little green man when crossing the street turns red way too fast!
The swelling seems to have gone down a lot though. It was (is) still very sore and I have to move slowly but it is improving.
Not so many painkillers during the day.
(day 7)
I went out for a few hrs. Slowly adjusting. Great!
(day 8)
I got very confident and stayed outside and up on my feet almost the whole day 8 and most of day 9.
I even did some very light lifting of some chairs. I took a couple of painkillers in the morning and then one through out the day.
-Wow , this is not so bad! I thought till the evening came and I started to feel a little strange. Kind of nauseous or like I had the flue.
(day 9-10)
Got a lot worse.
In an attempt to cross the road I took 2-3 running steps (forgot) and it felt like I was stabbed. Could not go to the toilet at all. Felt like I had to constantly go to empty the bowel though but there was nothing there....but I could feel it ....and I had been eating.
I was too scared to press but could not leave the toilet seat as I really had to go.
I kept drinking but still could not wee. It was like my bladder. Something felt wrong and I prayed I had not done harm to the wound when crossing the road.
I must have tried to go at least 20 times and always the same result. In the end I had to give up as I almost vomited. It was very painful and I sarted to imagine the wound had opened up and the worst thought came to my mind. I kept eating more fibers but it did not help and this was probably the worst night ever. Could not lay down, not sit , not stand Not sleep Could not do anything! I then back tracked and realised I had slacked off with the fluid intake and the activities of day 8 and 9 was clearly too much. It was easy to forget I had just had an operation.
(day 11)
Hurray! All the fibers I had been eating y'day had kicked in and I went to the toilet to do a number 2 around midday (with out having to push much at all- I was back to what it was before this incident and very relieved)
As soon as I had emptied the bowel I was able to wee normally. Wow, what a feelin! I remained very low and calm the rest of the day.
(day 12)
Today is today and I have been taking it easy today as well. I've noticed there is not really any swelling left at all but I am very careful with the toilet and the wiping. Still take to the shower and still use the folded wet paper to 'dab' every 3 hrs or so.
The excruciating pain has not come back again and from what I have read this seems to be the consequence of too much activity and too soon and most likely also my little 'sprinting steps'. I'm regular on the toilet. I'm drinking lots of water and have an intake of psyllium fibre. Eating normal food. I'm still walking a little slow but with a normal posture. Have only taken 2 pain killer this morning and one around midday and am feeling like I am almost ready for work again. Bending down is done very gently and coughing is painful.
I'm wondering if anyone will ever have the time and patience to read this rather long text. I was quite a good feeling to write about it and hopefully someone will recognise them selves. I sincerely wish anyone having had or considering such a procedure done the best of luck. I personally did not realise a wound from a Hemmorroidectomy could take between 6-12 weeks to heal but will do my outmost to stick to known facts and follow my gut feeling in this slow healing process. From what 'I can see' it looks pretty good and clean and I am feeling positve.
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Jessie, thanks for posting! I got a good laugh (and it hurts to laugh) out of your experience. I'm on Day 6 post-op and your pre- and post conditions sound very familiar. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope you continue to have a great recovery.
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Thank you for taking time to write this blog. I'm off tomorrow to have a similar procedure. It has helped 'no end' no pun intended..
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Hi,
Tough little late but it was interesting reading. I am on my 4 th day post op and can relate lot of things written over here. I would like to know how it is now after a year of your operation.
Day 2 and Day 3 were okay for me but Day 4 has been really painful and I am on my bed whole day with pain. I had semi soft BM early in the morning which lead to pain later on for the whole day. Sitz bath did help up to some extent.
Tough little late but it was interesting reading. I am on my 4 th day post op and can relate lot of things written over here. I would like to know how it is now after a year of your operation.
Day 2 and Day 3 were okay for me but Day 4 has been really painful and I am on my bed whole day with pain. I had semi soft BM early in the morning which lead to pain later on for the whole day. Sitz bath did help up to some extent.
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