I had my hemorrhoidectomy on 2/6/2023 and wanted to share my experience in order to give others some hope amongst all of the horror stories out there.

My surgeon used the harmonic-scalpel procedure on my 3, grade 3, internal hemorrhoids and I was knocked out for the entire procedure.  Upon waking I simply felt pressure and a bit of "fullness" in my backside.  The nurse didn't ask me to pee however I actually had to go so I went in the recovery room bathroom without any issues.

The first few days were, awful, no way to sugarcoat it.  I barely slept for 2 days and was in considerable pain for the first 6 days or so.  I ate a purely liquid diet, not even eating the chicken or noodles in the chicken-noodle soup, and survived on Gatorade and Tylenol.  As a side note, the Narco they gave me was useless and did absolutely nothing for the pain.  I switched to Extra Strength Tylenol (3 at a time) and Tylenol PM (three at night). I could not get out of bed without pain and I could not get back in without pain.  Even rolling over in bed hurt...

I had my first BM 3 days after the surgery and it was painful.  Part of this was my fault since I was taking a stool softener that (unbeknownst to me) also had a laxative in it.  My first BM the day of surgery was a nightmare - I threw away two towels and a pair of sweat pants...enough said.  The next two BMs were more akin to an explosion where everything came out all at once but I was prepared - it felt like I was passing a 16 inch softball...no fun at all. I had a really hard time peeing after the operation.  The first few times I was only able to pee by sitting down and forcing it out, just like you're NOT supposed to do when having a BM, but there was no other way.  I spent a LOT of time in the bathtub, the only real place I had any relief from the pain and (as gross as it is) that was the only place I could pee for the first 5 days in any meaningful way.,  Pretty sure the relaxed muscles from the warm water made it even possible.   I was absolutely determined NOT to get a catheter so I did whatever I could to make sure I went.   It was NOT easy...

By the second week, I was feeling better and finally able to sit for more than a few minutes at a time.  Still soaking in the tub right after a BM and the BMs were still pretty painful with blood nearly every time.  During this period I got some edibles with THC and CBD and they helped me significantly.  No necessarily because they removed the pain, but because I was able to focus on not caring as much.  Your experience may be different but I wanted to mention it as I beleive that THC and CBD do have healing and anti-inflammatory properties but you decide for yourself on that.  Still had a feeling of "fullness" in my backside and, as I said, it was easier to sit but still not terribly comfortable

Week 3 was a breakthrough - I actually flew out to our new home in FL (I had surgery the day we were supposed to move...talk about stress) and felt confident enough to walk through the airport and sit on a plane for 2 1/2 hours without worrying about a BM.   I packed a little emergency kit consisting of wet-wipes and gauze in case I needed it.   I was finally able to sit for extended periods of time and the feeling of fullness has all but gone away (except for when my bowels are not empty and I know I will need to go again).  I'm not in pain and only occasionally have discomfort.  I do have some leakage which is why I have the gauze back there, but it is decreasing. 

Just hit Week 4 yesterday and am about 95% of where I was before the surgery.  My main issue is when I have to go, I HAVE TO GO...  The muscles that one uses to "hold it" are not where they were yet and I've found it best to make sure I know where the bathroom is at all times, just in case.  I usually go 2-3 times per day (1st being the "largest" in the morning with 2 others that are not as significant and usually accompanied by some gas)

 

My Takeaways:

1) First and foremost:  IT WILL GET BETTER - it is awful for the first week but, be assured, it will NOT last.  The folks who have the nightmare stories are the anomaly and my heart goes out to each one of them since I was a big baby for 1 week.

2) Get in the tub:  I spent at least 16 hours total in the bathtub, sometimes draining the water and refilling with warm water 3-4 times.  This is the ONLY way I got any relief from pain.  I am certain I fell asleep in the tub after a 2am visit but you have to do what you have to do.  If at all possible - get in the tub...especially after a BM and stay there for as long as you want

3) BMs will hurt BUT they will get better.  It is psychological and you will find yourself not wanting to eat things that you know will make you have to go but, trust me, it is better to start the process rather than get constipated.  Eat prunes, jello, pudding, chicken stock/soup whatever you need to do but eat.  Your body needs to recover and it can't do that without proper nutrition

4) Sleep - you will need at least two weeks off work.  Use that time and sleep as much as possible since that is when your body heals itself

5) Take fiber and stool softeners - this is the only way to ensure your BMs are smooth and as painless as possible.  Even at week 4 it is still a little painful bur more uncomfortable than anything - you don't want to make this any more difficult than it has to be.   Two TSP of Metamucil and 2-3 stool softeners at night help ensure I am ok in the morning....

I had the operation ONLY because I was losing a LOT of blood each time I had a BM - the hemorhhoids were not painful but they were bleeding. I hated the operation, I hated the recovery but I hated losing nearly 1/2 my blood even more.  Looking back it is easy to say that it was worth it but I did not hit that point until last week.

I hope this helps someone, somewhere who is where I was in week 1...feeling hopeless and like the pain would go on forever.   I promised that I would offer hope to others once I came out the "other side" so please, just know that "this too will pass" and it won't last forever.

I am one of the very fortunate people who did not have complications or a long recovery.  I am confident you will be too..

God bless and take care....

JC