Swelling and Pain After Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery

ocean_breeze wrote:

PainInTheA$$ wrote:

Aww I'm sorry breezie. What a bummer to still be dealing with that after 4 in the morning. I really thought you were done for the night when it started to subside at 3:30. Yeah, it sounds like it could be something your stomach is reacting to. The frustrating part is that it's so difficult to pinpoint the ingredient(s) sometimes so it makes us feel like we have to avoid a bunch of things. Your hubby means well and is trying his best Im sure, to make sure you're taken care of. As time goes by he'll get a better idea of what you can and can't have.

I hope you're feeling better by now and that today will be a better day for you! :) I went easy again on the fiber yesterday and was worried that I'd have a painful bm this a.m. but it actually wasn't, surprisingly. The first part of it was soft followed by diarrhea again though I think it may just be the residual laxative still in my system from the other day, idk. I'm anticipating a much better day today and don't expect to be confined to my home and near a toilet as I have some grocery shopping I really need to do. Today is exactly 4 weeks from my surgery! I had my surgery 4 Tuesdays ago hehe.

PITA, congratulations on hitting the 4 week mark!!!! YAY!!!!!! I read somewhere recently that what I'm experiencing could be a food intolerance. The ideal suggestion is to go back to a very basic diet and then add one food at a time, keeping a food diary, to identify what the culprit(s) are. I hpoe to do that after I am recovered. It just feels too bad to do that now and risk more diarrhea or constipation.

I think last night was the perfect storm. I added in too much fiber all in one day and then hubby made the pancakes with a multi-grain flour. I was feeling a little better yesterday afternoon and had an appetite for the first time since surgery, so I ate too much. On top of that I had taken 4 stool softeners during the day and then the Miralax and prune juice. The reason I think a food intolerance was involved was because of the severe bloating and gas that just would not go away. It was 4:30 before I could rest. Then I had to wake up at 7 to make sure my son got off to school. It's all a blur. I was in and out of awareness all morning.

I'm still having some gas and gut rumbling today. All I have eaten is some applesauce, half an apple, and a plain wrap. I wanted some mashed potatoes but we are out. Hubby is going to pick me up some.

I called the dr today because my "bacon" area (LOL!) is a little raw from all the diarrhea. I literally lost count after 10 bouts and 6 hours. He said I could dab a little Vaseline in the outside area - just a very little. So I just tried that. When I brought my finger away, there was a greenish-yellow pus. Is that normal? I haven't been having much bleeding or drainage at all, so I'm not sure what is normal and what would be an infection.

Thanks!! I'm so happy I'm at 4 weeks and so looking forward to my 6th week because that's when I'm supposedly going to feel back to normal again. At least that's what my dr said. I'm sure it's give or take, but still, I have been hyping myself up for the 6th week mark just because the surgeon said that lol! And because of my progress now, I feel he's pretty dead-on about the 6-week point. I just want to take a moment to say some nice things about my surgeon. He is amazing. He's so patient, kind, and really funny too! In the beginning I was like, "Hmm.. he doesn't really seem serious..how long has he been doing this??" It turns out he was the Chief Surgeon for many years in a prestigious hospital here in CA and has been given numerous awards for his work throughout the years. At the hospital when I'd make small talk with nurses and staff and they find out this dr is operating on me all their eyes would open up and then nothing but great things would come out of their mouths about him. I feel really lucky to have had him operate on me. Thanks for letting me share my story about my surgeon! :)

breezie, I'm glad you're feeling better and that you're going to keep a food diary. That's a great way to narrow down and find the little culprit(s). I hope that you can get some more sleep through out the day because you barely slept! Mmm.. mashed potatoes sound so good right now. As for the pus you found from rubbing the vaseline, I feel like it's normal because I had that too. Of course, I had that from the beginning after surgery and got worse after my first BM. It slowly started to go away though. Oh, and the odor from it is enough to make you lose your appetite. At least for me, it was. It's not a whole lot though, is it?

 That pus didn't appear until maybe day 3 or 4 for me. Then it got really bad between day ~10-20. Smell was really embarrassing. If you've ever been in the vet office when they expressed a dog's anal sacks, that's what it's like. Don't make any *pubic* appearances without bringing some wet wipes  :$ and continue to watch your bacon for more drainage  :-|

Ok Ladies...you are so funny. Bacon? That would be Back Bacon I guess. HAHAAHA!!! So sorry Breezie about the Diarrhea! I am 44 and have had Hems since pregnancy 14 years ago. I only have 1 child. Recovery from delivery was far easier than this surgery. Too young--I think that growth is swelling as I had it too. It stuck out like a tongue of sorts but it went down. I was left with skin tags..two of which were snipped at 1 month post op. The others are my left over bits. But life will get better ladies. Ocean Archer you are a wealth of info and PITA...you make me laugh. Amazing that I could meet new friends over the topic of butts...but similar experiences have a way of bonding everyone together I guess. Keep smiling anyone...and for any men out there reading the posts...I know this isn't easy for you especially since I've read that it is sometimes difficult to pee after surgery but recovery is just as hard. Hang in there everyone.

Thanks, Archer! And you are too funny!!! You crack me up big time!! lol. Oh and btw, you are so right about being in public and making sure you've got wet wipes. I was out and about and somehow ended up with a lot of people around me... well, (this is going to sound gross but...) I could smell myself!!!!! I was SO embarrassed and quickly found my way to the bathroom. Ugh. And I did not have wet wipes. lol. It was an awful feeling at the time but now I look back and kind of laugh at it a little lol.

 

And yup, one more tiny little tag left which should go away hopefully in a week or so. Woo hoo!:-)

Couldn't have said it better, soar!!:-D

PainInTheA$$ wrote:

ocean_breeze wrote:

PainInTheA$$ wrote:

Aww I'm sorry breezie. What a bummer to still be dealing with that after 4 in the morning. I really thought you were done for the night when it started to subside at 3:30. Yeah, it sounds like it could be something your stomach is reacting to. The frustrating part is that it's so difficult to pinpoint the ingredient(s) sometimes so it makes us feel like we have to avoid a bunch of things. Your hubby means well and is trying his best Im sure, to make sure you're taken care of. As time goes by he'll get a better idea of what you can and can't have.

I hope you're feeling better by now and that today will be a better day for you! :) I went easy again on the fiber yesterday and was worried that I'd have a painful bm this a.m. but it actually wasn't, surprisingly. The first part of it was soft followed by diarrhea again though I think it may just be the residual laxative still in my system from the other day, idk. I'm anticipating a much better day today and don't expect to be confined to my home and near a toilet as I have some grocery shopping I really need to do. Today is exactly 4 weeks from my surgery! I had my surgery 4 Tuesdays ago hehe.

PITA, congratulations on hitting the 4 week mark!!!! YAY!!!!!! I read somewhere recently that what I'm experiencing could be a food intolerance. The ideal suggestion is to go back to a very basic diet and then add one food at a time, keeping a food diary, to identify what the culprit(s) are. I hpoe to do that after I am recovered. It just feels too bad to do that now and risk more diarrhea or constipation.

I think last night was the perfect storm. I added in too much fiber all in one day and then hubby made the pancakes with a multi-grain flour. I was feeling a little better yesterday afternoon and had an appetite for the first time since surgery, so I ate too much. On top of that I had taken 4 stool softeners during the day and then the Miralax and prune juice. The reason I think a food intolerance was involved was because of the severe bloating and gas that just would not go away. It was 4:30 before I could rest. Then I had to wake up at 7 to make sure my son got off to school. It's all a blur. I was in and out of awareness all morning.

I'm still having some gas and gut rumbling today. All I have eaten is some applesauce, half an apple, and a plain wrap. I wanted some mashed potatoes but we are out. Hubby is going to pick me up some.

I called the dr today because my "bacon" area (LOL!) is a little raw from all the diarrhea. I literally lost count after 10 bouts and 6 hours. He said I could dab a little Vaseline in the outside area - just a very little. So I just tried that. When I brought my finger away, there was a greenish-yellow pus. Is that normal? I haven't been having much bleeding or drainage at all, so I'm not sure what is normal and what would be an infection.

Thanks!! I'm so happy I'm at 4 weeks and so looking forward to my 6th week because that's when I'm supposedly going to feel back to normal again. At least that's what my dr said. I'm sure it's give or take, but still, I have been hyping myself up for the 6th week mark just because the surgeon said that lol! And because of my progress now, I feel he's pretty dead-on about the 6-week point. I just want to take a moment to say some nice things about my surgeon. He is amazing. He's so patient, kind, and really funny too! In the beginning I was like, "Hmm.. he doesn't really seem serious..how long has he been doing this??" It turns out he was the Chief Surgeon for many years in a prestigious hospital here in CA and has been given numerous awards for his work throughout the years. At the hospital when I'd make small talk with nurses and staff and they find out this dr is operating on me all their eyes would open up and then nothing but great things would come out of their mouths about him. I feel really lucky to have had him operate on me. Thanks for letting me share my story about my surgeon! :)

breezie, I'm glad you're feeling better and that you're going to keep a food diary. That's a great way to narrow down and find the little culprit(s). I hope that you can get some more sleep through out the day because you barely slept! Mmm.. mashed potatoes sound so good right now. As for the pus you found from rubbing the vaseline, I feel like it's normal because I had that too. Of course, I had that from the beginning after surgery and got worse after my first BM. It slowly started to go away though. Oh, and the odor from it is enough to make you lose your appetite. At least for me, it was. It's not a whole lot though, is it?

I'm glad you liked your surgeon. I think it's important to share good experiences on here as well as negative. I know it helps me to know there are good experiences out there. It balances out the information!

LOL! I appreciate your humor. "pubic" appearances and "bacon."



Laughter really is the best medicine. (But the pain pills don't hurt either, eh?)

Day 7.  Well, today has been better. I'm almost afraid to even say that for fear it will jinx me. I haven't had to take as many of the Lortabs today. I'm almost out, too, so I'm trying to spread them out as much as I can. The worst pain, of course, is after a BM. But it's better than it was. I'm noticing more drainage, but I expected this based on what others have shared. A little itching is starting up too now and then.

I am struggling with feeling pressure in the anal area. Sort of like I think I need to have a BM but not yet kind of feeling. And immediately after a BM it feels all swollen like it's all popping out. Is that a normal experience? It's so hard to know what is "normal" because the doctors DO NOT TELL YOU ANYTHING!!!!!!   But I am not going to take additional Miralax or stool softener over and above what I usually do because I don't want to wind up with the runs again.

I was able to empty the dishwasher this afternoon and load it up with dishes I used today. woo hoooo! 

Mentally, it's a big deal to make it to the week mark!!! It really is true that hitting the major mile markers in this recovery process is a big deal!

Wait till u hit the 2 week mark. U will be doing pilates ;)

Great to hear ur doing better. Everything u've experienced sounds normal including the 'falling out' feeling after bm.

Thanks archer. It helps to come on here and just be reminded of what is normal.

I am having trouble getting my bm's to be a regular consistency. Tonight I have pooped 4 times in about 45 min, and it is just painful. It's like a little comes out, then a little while later I have to go again. Not exactly constipated, but not one happy little mess either. The other night I had all that diarrhea. UGH!

I haven't tried Metamucil yet. I don't have any. I think I remember you saying that it has really helped you. I guess I'm a little nervous to start something new like that in addition to what I'm already doing. Before surgery, what I am doing now was working well. I think the pain meds are not helping.

Metamucil is recommended by lots of docs for fiber. It worked great for me. I'll use it for the rest of my life because i love it so much. But i'd hate to recommend u try something new especially since ur not constipated right now.

I expwrienced similar multiple BMs because I could never really finished a full one. As soon as something came out the exit doors shut tight due to pain. Then the leftovers would come out throughout the day.

Also from my experience the recovery is 3 steps forward 1 step back. So don't get discouraged if your progress regressed occasionally. U didn't jinx yourself

It helps to know I'm not the only one with the shutting door! I hate the feeling of not being all the way empty.

I'm not a very patient person, so the whole 3 steps forward and 1 back is hard. LOL. I hope you and soar and PITA know how much it helps to have your support.

I hope you are continuing to do well! Are you feeling back to 100%?

Hooray breezie for emptying your dishwasher and loading it again! That's great you were able to do that! I remember the first thing I was able to do after my surgery (a week and a half after surgery I think) I drove myself to McDonald's 5 min away bc I had a craving for their Coke lol. It was such a big deal for me to be able to do that. I was in pain the whole time but the fact that I could do that was amazing, so yay for you!! You and I have some things in common breezie. I'm not a patient person either and have major anxiety which many times have tried to take over my life. I need to work on that still :) Congrats on your 7th day (full week)! Things will start to get better :)

Oh! I totally forgot to ask... Have you guys used or thought of using a donut pillow? I think I read one of Soar's posts that she did for a while. I've been using mine and just love them (I have a small and medium size). Breezie, it may be something you could consider using to help with sitting maybe? My surgeon recommended I get one. I told my mom I needed to go and get one and next thing I know she brings me two that she made lol. I love them as they've helped so much.

My surgeon said donut pillows are okay if u really NEED to sit. It should be used sparingly. It's kind of like sitting on toilet where nothing supports ur anus so there's a lot more pressure directed to that area. Except with donut pillows the pressure is higher because the exposed area is smaller. You might end up trading temporary relief for longer recovery time.

Breezie - I'm 100% now. Have been since around 4 week mark. Just painless tag remain.