Hello Everyone, I’ve been suffering from piles for some time now. I’ve been told about the Rafaelo procedure, as it suggests, will the surgery be painless. Please advise or share story of those who have had this particular procedure please. Thank you for any help.
I had the hemorrhoidactomy Oct 10th. Not sure if this is the same as the procedure you are talking about.. Is this banding?
One thing i do know is the surgery i recently had is the worse pain I've ever felt in my life and would not wish this upon my worst enemy.. Sorry dont mean to scare you but the recovery time is very lengthy and painful.
Dont do it unless it is suggested by your doc.. I regret having it done and Im still having pain hours upon hours daily.
Sorry I cant be much help with your question.
https://www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-st-anthonys-hospital/treatments/a-z/the-rafaelo-procedure/
This Rafaelo procedure
Hi nabila I’m not sure what the rafaelo method is, but I had the op on sept 4th. I agree with ‘me’ that this is a brutal op and the recovery is long and very painful. I’m now just over 2 months on and almost 100% better, but it’s been a looooong 2 months! I would suggest you try all other options before surgery.
I am also interested in finding out more about the Rafaelo procedure. It is definitely not the same procedure that people say is so painful. Would be really interested in hearing from someone who has had it.
I had The Rafaelo Procedure 3 weeks ago. It was AMAZING! The procedure itself took a few minutes in total and I hardly felt a thing. I was home within an hour or so afterwards and back to work the next day. For the first few hours I could feel that I had had a procedure carried out, but it certainly wasn't painful, and nothing that a Paracetamol couldn't handle. No symptoms since. I would recommend it anyone!
Can you explain what the rafealo procedure involves please Jamie. Love to know if I have to have this op again.
Hey, Which Hospital did you have the procedure and how much does it cost or can you get it in the NHS?
It apparently uses radio frequency. The surgeon uses a probe which uses radio frequency to heat the haemorrhoid. This supposedly stops the blood supply to it, the haemorrhoid shrivels up and falls off. I was literally in and out in a couple of hours.
Hi I had it done in Central London and it was covered by my private health insurance. Otherwise it would have cost me about £2k. With hindsight, knowing what I do now, I would have paid the cash if I had to. I found the clinic on the Rafaelo website - they have a list of many up and down the country.
Thank you. Info has been helpful.
Thanks Jamie, really helpful and a relief to know if I ever have to have it again, there is a better method.
Hi Nabila, I had the Rafaelo procedure today. I searched for a local private hospital as I had read about it online and went to see a consultant who talked it through and examined me. I arrived at the hospital at 10:30 and was out by 12:30. I was given a sedative through a cannula in my arm and warned that I might feel some discomfort. I can remember feeling a bit uncomfortable at one stage and then can’t remember anything else until I was in recovery. This afternoon I have felt a bit uncomfortable, but nothing major. I have taken ibuprofen and paracetamol under the advice of my consultant and slept off the sedative. I was warned I may have discharge/slight bleeding but that has not occurred, but I have ‘opened my bowels’ 3x - which is very unusual but has been fine. Ultimately a chat with a consultant will reassure you if you are suitable for the procedure. I was borderline, but said I wished to go ahead as I can’t afford to have the time off/don’t want to suffer the pain associated with other procedures. I hope that this has helped you. Good luck.😊
Hi Teresa
Just wondering. .. You said two months before u felt 100% recovered. I today am two months. Did u still feel like your bowels are not completely empty after first bm of the day? Im still bleeding every bm today n have a bit of discomfort which is tolerable since yesterday for the first time since Oct 10th,
Bm are less painful. And after bm now the pain is nothing like the first 6 weeks.
Im booked for surgery again for Dec 12 as I seen surgeon about 10 days ago and be could not do a rectal exam on me that day as i was still having extreme pain n my butt was to sore for internal exam. So he wants to put me under again and possibly cut.. But like i said yesterday I feel things have changed over night with the pain but i still continue to bleed with every bm.
My question is will this get better. Has it for you?
Hope you are completely healed.
Hi me93627
i think after 2 months I felt 100% better than a few weeks before, lol. Had mine on 4th sept. Yes, I do still sometimes feel my bowels are not completely empty, this is usually if I have forgotten to take a stool softener, then I do have to go about four times and it’s not good. I wouldn’t even say I’m constipated, but unless it’s almost diarrhoea I don’t go completely. I do bleed a bit at those times, but not much and worry as I have to really push. Starting to think this is the future now. It’s definately not the same as it was. Still uncomfortable but not painful, and no after pains. They have never sent me my 8 week follow up appointment and to be honest I know I should do something about this, the thought of being prodded around down there fills me with dread. I can’t imagine them being able to get a proctoscopic up there now, feels too small. I can’t say I’m in pain, still slightly dread bm’s and fairly scared the hems will come back. Would never have this done again! Really feel for you for going back for further surgery, but your bravery may mean you end up better off in the end. Good luck nd let me know how it goes.
Im so glad u replied back .
I do not wish to go under again as im afraid i will come out and go through again what I've just went through.. I like you said never again. But in all honesty i dont think this procedure even worked in my favor.. 2nd week i had external roids back. Was told i also now have two small skin tags wth.. They werent there before.. Apparently they are from excessive skin tissue caused from surgery.. And i think I have scar tissue in side as well as bleeding roids again.. Thus why such a long recovery ...
Anyway thx so much for telling me about your after surgery .
This helps a lot as I rather live this way the bit of discomfort i have today then the way i was prior and during this surgery
So no i do not want to go through this again.
Thank you for giving me some of my self esteem back..
I appreciate every word..
I will call surgeons receptionist Monday n ask her if i should have this done as im feeling better this week as my surgeon is on holidays now.
I will post back to keep u up to date if im going ahead with this..
Feeling scared as hell as this was hell..
I’m glad my reply was of some help. It was indeed, hell and then some. I don’t think anyone can understand the excruciating pain unless they have been through it. I don’t wish to talk you out of anything that could improve your situation, I can only give my honest opinion. Do keep in touch, I may get the courage to chase my follow up at least. If I do I’ll let you know.
Plz let me know what the outcome of your exam is..
I hope its good results for you..I also still take my softener which I have taken now over a year and Doc did say it is safe to take daily and will likely be taking it for the rest of my life as my issues stem from constipation since the age of five.. It has worked for me so I wont give it up any time soon.
I never have diarrhea Have no idea what this is even like..just soft stool now.
I am worried as my twin sister had Colon cancer n Uncle has Crohns.. He has had the colostomy bag now for 8 yrs.. He no longer has a rectum.. Poor man. But id go that route if no surgery can fix this then have to live in constant pain all my life.
So today. Im feeling some what blessed.
Thx Teresa
Hi Becky. Thanks for your advice. I have been referred for this procedure. I live in Yorkshire and been told I will have to travel to central London for the consultation and op and travel back.
Could you tell me is it painful?
Hi, for me it wasn’t painful, no. I guess pain is a subjective thing, but I’ve had much, much worse pain from the piles. The procedure was Just a bit uncomfortable at one stage, but with the sedative, I don’t really remember much. I would definitely recommend it and would have it again if I needed too (but hopefully not).