Swelling and Pain After Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery

I'm a guest on here, and first found this post (among many others) when investigating my hemorrhoid situation. I'm 23 years old, a guy, a little chubby. The last month or two, I've been trying to get in shape, losing weight and all that, doing tons of squats and all, when one morning, my usual morning dump was a little odd. When wiping, I noticed a swollen lump on my ass. As a fairly young gay dude, this was alarming. I know it hadn't been there before, as I pay considerable attention to my ass. I'd had a hemorrhoid or two before, but nothing this large or uncomfortable. I visited the on campus health center, and my doctor told me I had a thrombosed external hemorrhoid, and would have to see a specialist to have it removed. He prescribed me some suppository steroids, and I scheduled a visit with the specialist. I began to read up on what my situation was, and how it could possibly be dealt with. Understandably, I was scared sh*tless after reading some of the posts on here. Two weeks later, I was in my gastro dude's office where he told me the same thing, and that he was recommending surgery.

I kid you not, the doctor spent about 20 of the 30 minutes we had together telling me that I was going to be in a lot of pain. It was expected, considering what I read online, but it was still a bit worrisome to hear a professional say so, especially the guy who was going to be working on me. He explained that this procedure had one of the more (most?) painful recovery periods and that in his experience, most young people do not have high tolerance for pain. Regardless, I told the doc that the way I saw it, I didn't really have a choice. Unlike a lot of the stuff I've read on here, my hemorrhoid wasn't all that crazy-- it was the size of of a pinto/jelly bean, flesh colored, and aside from the first day or two when it was swollen and tight, I'd experienced minimal pain. I had no issues with passing stool or sitting, no bleeding, either. It was just itchy as f**k, and unsightly. To be quite honest, I was mostly concerned with how it was making my ass look. Silly, I know, but I'm gay so f**k yeah I was worried about my as****e's appearance. So yeah, I told the doc I was all for it and he scheduled it for the next morning... didn't really have time to mentally prepare haha. so I went picked up a sitz bath some epsom salt and the next morning he performed the procedure. Took no more than a half hour, I was awake, numbed up, and taped wide open (which I personally found hilarious). Doc was super professional, chatted me up during the whole thing, and made it real easy. The initial injection hurt but aside from that I hardly felt a thing. Got one stitch, to keep the thing closed, I guess. The doctor explained that he was removing the hemorrhoid/clot as well as the vessel(s) to avoid recurrence, and after removal, he asked if I wanted to see it. I totally did-- it was just red and bloody looking. He stuffed me full of gauze, gave me a checklist of do's and dont's, prescribed me some dope, and sent me on my way.

I had the procedure done last Thursday morning, and its now Monday night... bout 4 days? This whole experience has been a f*****g breeze. Immediately following the procedure, I was walking around and sh*t, not finding it too difficult to move around and all. I chalked it up to the anesthetic still in my system, and the prescribed painkillers. I was positive I'd wake up the next morning to bruising and awful pain, and was dreading my first BM (the painkillers, I figured, could clog me up). I drank TONS of water, ate soup, took some stool softeners and the painkillers when I felt the need. The next morning, I had my first BM. Soft and came out easy. Wiping was a little difficult, as I was a little tender, but nothing like I'd read (use Tucks or baby wipes, obviously). I've just kept drinking water, eating lots of fruit, sticking to soups and other things I know won't be rough on my system, and have been taking the stool softeners regularly. I stopped taking the prescribed painkillers after the second day because they just weren't necessary, I just started taking some otc ibuprofen. I've been able to sit and stand and all that, but avoid it because I want to heal up properly. Regular sitz baths after BMs, too, and I apply antibiotic ointment as well. I had very light bleeding, and just in the first day or two. I've tried to keep from touching or getting near the wound, but I believe my stitch fell out today. Just still have some minor swelling, but I'm, for the most part, able to function normally. I am avoiding strenuous exercise or sitting/standing for long periods of time (sex for awhile too) as I don't want to tear myself open, but yeah, I'm pretty much back to normal.

To be fair, my roid wasn't debilitating as many as I've read about here, or seen in pictures. My decision to have it removed was fueled mainly by vanity, and it makes me feel a little bad about myself. After visiting with the specialist the first time, my final question to him was "Its not going to look Frankenstein-y, is it?" It really made me self-conscious; I felt unattractive, and I was avoiding guys and sex because I was embarrassed. My specialist told me that unless the dude was a trained specialist, I was in the clear. However, it now seems like I have some raised skin/small bumps where the roid used to be. I know it could just be swelling, but I can't help but shake the feeling I might be left with skin tags. Only time will tell, I'll make sure to ask the specialist when I see him next week for my followup. But the point of this entire long ass post was to let anyone having the procedure done or having qualms about it know that not every one is a horror story. My ordeal has been fairly easy, with minimal to no pain or discomfort. I just wanted to stress that. I had a lot of anxiety going into this, and I just gotta be really grateful it wasn't as terrible as it could have (or should have) been. So get it dealt with, because it might not be as awful as you think.

I had surgery for stage 3-4 hemmorhoids 13 days ago.  The doctors told me the pain would be really bad.  I was surprised when I didn't have major pain at all.  The worst I had was right after the surgery before I started my pain meds, and even then it was only about a 3 out of 20.  I think this is the trick:  Prior to this surgery, whenever I was taking pain meds, I would take them "as needed" when the pain got to be too great to bear.  BAD IDEA!  They told me after my surgery to take the pain meds every 6 hours whether I thought I needed them nor not.  I had ZERO problems with pain during my recovery and was virtually pain-free by day 5 (except for bowel movements)

Here's the one thing I wasn't ready for:  On day 6, I had my second post-surgery bowel movement even though I was taking stool softeners.  I haven't been eating much and need to lose the weight anyway, despite the Dr. saying I could go back on a regular diet immediately.  Anyway....I passed several large blood clots and  LOT of bright red blood.  I had three of these suck bm's within an hour.  I was passing a LOT of blood and it scared me half to death at 5:00am.  I felt light-headed and dizzy and actually went to the hospital via ambulance because I didn't think I could drive myself.  After getting there they put me on a saline IV and checked my blood and vitals.  6 hours later, they talked to my surgeon and he told me this was normal.  I thought he was nuts, but he's the doc.....I literally thought I was dying or burned a hole in my stomach from the meds or something.  I guess by that time in recovery, the disolvable stitches start to come undone and this kind of bleeding can happen.  I wish he would have prepared me for that part!  It wasn't incredibly painful, per se, but the visual scared the hell out of me.  That only happened once.  My next bm was "normal" if not a little painful, maybe a 5 or 6 out of 10 with zero being sex with a supermodel and 10 being little gremlins behind your eyes, whacking them with pic axes, or watching a mint 65 GTO being crushed in a car crusher. 

I had to post my story I'm 28 I had surgery Monday it is now Thursday night and I can honestly say I'm just now a little relived from the pain I had to be admitted the first 48 hours and put on a morphine drip with button IMF was it a terrible experience not to change anyone's mind because the hemrrohiod is just as bad but be for warned not everyone's surgery is the same

well, today is 48 hours of my laser surgery, and I am so afraid for my first BM. I over did it, and ate too many prunes with stool softeners. terrible combo, but to have that bag/cotton thing come out was a major relief. I had internal and external roids and the external ones are the worst. I have slept for 2 hours at a time, each time waking up to take meds. I found the combination of ibuprofen and percocet to help, along with a sitz bath and soon to try out tucks (RN just told me over the phone). I honestly would have kept my roids than to get this. (but this is me saying this 48 hours in pain and the fear of eating anything solid to pass thru the glory hole.) I also found that having a pillow under my butt while I lay down help a lot. adjust it to your comfort, but me having it right on my bottom, helps for some strange reason. and occasionally switching position from left to right and even laying on my stomach (but that one isn't too great). I wish I had read all these statements before I got this done, cause I didn't know it would have been this painful. (btw I'm a 30/female who takes T3 for pain management and I believe they are to cause my wonderful roids.) I'm sure in a few days I will be feeling a lot better, and was reading that laser hemorrhoidectamy has a faster recovery time. I pray that it does! to those who are reading this, make sure to keep your area clean at all times, and the sitz bath will help a lot, but make sure not to use too hot of water cause I read that will make you bleed again. I haven't tried ice therapy just yet, will do so in a few. best of luck to whoever is getting this done. just like anytimg else, "this too shall pass" lets just hope its nice and soft when it does. lol :)

Thanks for your post. The good news is that my swelling has definitely reduced in size. I can walk OK now and I feel much much better. How are you doing?

Well, I had my surgery last monday May 29. It was staple hemorrhoctomy. I had my first bowel movement on Thursday. It was soft and far better than anticipated, still pain but not too bad. I am taking 1 norco and 2 Advils every 6 hours. I am trying to stop the norco but still too much pain. It helps a lot to be in the bath in warm water when the pain comes. I had a bm this morning and was great, no pain at all. This afternoon was a whole different story, it was very painful but still manageable. I am in the US and have scheduled, and paid for, a trip to Greece in July. Taking my family to celebrate my older daughter graduating from high school. She is realty excited and I am worried about any complications that might delay my recovery by then. Today is day 7. Have been off work for the last week and will be off work next week. I cannot imagine being at work during this time. Any way, reading others stories is helping me so I will try to share as my recovery progress. My next doctor's appointment is scheduled for may 14. By the way, I am male, 42 yrs old. Have had hemorrhoids for a couple of years. They would come and go so I was able to deal with it but not any more. I get them at every bowel movement, bleed and are very painful. They would go away after 5-6 he's by themselves. But now they were dictating my schedule so had to do something about it. Also, I think they were all internal. I have nothing outside, my wife says "it looks beautiful!" Lol. Any way, good luck to all of you. I feel so bad for breeze, her experience was/is horrible.

Well, I had my surgery last monday May 29. It was staple hemorrhoctomy. I had my first bowel movement on Thursday. It was soft and far better than anticipated, still pain but not too bad. I am taking 1 norco and 2 Advils every 6 hours. I am trying to stop the norco but still too much pain. It helps a lot to be in the bath in warm water when the pain comes. I had a bm this morning and was great, no pain at all. This afternoon was a whole different story, it was very painful but still manageable. I am in the US and have scheduled, and paid for, a trip to Greece in July. Taking my family to celebrate my older daughter graduating from high school. She is realty excited and I am worried about any complications that might delay my recovery by then. Today is day 7. Have been off work for the last week and will be off work next week. I cannot imagine being at work during this time. Any way, reading others stories is helping me so I will try to share as my recovery progress. My next doctor's appointment is scheduled for may 14. By the way, I am male, 42 yrs old. Have had hemorrhoids for a couple of years. They would come and go so I was able to deal with it but not any more. I get them at every bowel movement, bleed and are very painful. They would go away after 5-6 he's by themselves. But now they were dictating my schedule so had to do something about it.

Day 8. Had my surgery last Monday. Today was a much better day. Took 1 Norco at 5am and another at 11am. Both combined with 2 advils each time. It is 10pm now and have not needed more Norco. Took 2 advils at 7pm for slight discomfort and that is it. Had 2 bowel movements today and they were both soft and almost painless. The difference, I believe, is that I started to use cold compresses today. I think that kinda helps numb the area hence less pain. I have been resting, laying flat with a pillow for support under my butt. Continue to take 1 stool softener in the morning when I get up and another in the afternoon. Did not notice any blood on the stool today. One more thing I am doing is ensure the area stays clean and "aired" to avoid infections. I gently clean the area after each bm with baby wipes, then I get on the tub and wash the area with body wash. Once that is complete I then stay in the bath under warm water for about 30 mins. And as of today I follow that with a cold compress for about 45 mins. I guess I am a bit lucky that I have a very good size master bedroom with full bathroom with a bath and a bedroom retreat. While my family is on the rest of the house I can stay in the room and stay undressed to help the area "air out". I share this info because it seems this process is helping with healthy healing and figure might help others. While I am really ready to get back to work, I work for a great company and all time off I take, as long as needed, is fully paid. Again I think this is also helping the healing since it is one less thing to be stressed out about. I am hopping to be able to return to work by next week, 2 weeks post surgery. My doctor has been very supportive and tells me to take as long as I need and he will clear me to go back once I tell him. That is all for now.

Day 9. A bit tougher day today but not too bad. Slow healing continues. I really am so ready to go back to work, too bad my body is not! Had my first bm around noon and it was kinda painful. It was bigger than before but still soft so that helped. And another bm around 5pm and that one was fine. Noticed I was able to have better control of my bowel movements today and I ventured out to the store for some more medication. It worked out well and had no pain while out. I took 1 Norco around 5am and 2 advils around 8 pm.

Day 10: No prescribed pain mediation was needed today. Only am taking 2 advils every 6 hours or so and is enough to manage the pain now. More volume to the bm and a bit more painful but am offsetting it with a bit longer warm water tubs. Slightly better day. Day 11: No prescribed pain meds today either. It was a bit more painful today than yesterday. I however have better control of bowel movements. I requested my doctor to release me back to work next Monday. Am a bit scared but just want to go back to "normal".

Best day so far. No pain at all until around 6pm. Unfortunately I did not have a bm today. Continue to take 1 colace in the morning and 2 before going to sleep (stool softener). Day 13: Very anxious about not having a bm yesterday and expecting the worse. Ate some dry prunes and had a bm around 4:30pm. It was a bit more painful and I had to push a bit harder but was not too bad. I no longer feel the need to get on a warm bath after a bm. It looks to me like the recovery, while very slow, has improved every single day since the surgery. I am now able to run errands with no worries. I still feel discomfort but would not call it pain. Going back to work this coming Monday and feel confident I will be OK. Like many others, I have noticed a bump (inflammation?) On the edge of the anal cavity but on the inside. It does not hurt but I can slightly feel it. Will discuss it as part of my follow up visit with my doctor on Tuesday. This will be my last post unless there are complications otherwise assume I am back to "normal". Cross my fingers the surgery is behind me and, while extremely painful, we can leave it behind us.

Wish id never had this done. Discharged with no pain relief ! No info on how long recovery would be. Feel like dying right now in so much psin

Hang in there!   Alot of the pain control can be had by over the counter stuff.  I started off on oxycodine, but chickened out with the side effects.  So after two days I just took Ibuprofren for pain.   Lots of hot baths will be in order.  

 

 

Alot of great suggestions on here from others.   I had my surgery March 21,  2013 and am just now beginning to feel close to 100%.

The baths are the best medicine.  Once your swelling goes down in 4-6 weeks, you will begin to experience life without hemorrhoids.

 

Hi everyone!

I don't know if this forum is still going but I have a question: Had my hemorrhoidectomy for an external hem about 3 weeks ago and noticed a lump down there. How long does this take to heal? I had stitches on the cut, so may this lump due to that? Please help, I'm just wondering if my butt gonna ever look the same. :-|

Fernanda.