Hi - I am looking for some advice from people that have had hemorrhoid surgery. To provide some back ground. I am a 47 year old female and have been suffering with hemorrhoids for the last 18 years. I have had two hem episodes this year. I lost my brother and a good friend this year and that caused my leas than healthy diet. I normally am really good about fiber. My dad and aunt have both have had hem surgery but both are deceased. I have had several colonoscopy and never heard them mention internal hems, just had a fissure. My most recent bout has had me trying everything under the sun to sit at my desk job. luckily I am working from home and have resorted to lying on my bed to work. this all started about a month and 1/2 ago. I finally sought help 2 weeks ago. My GP said my external hems were blocking my anus and causing problems with passing stool. She gave me a script for hydrocortisone suppositories, which have helped. She also gave me a referral to one of two gastro surgeons and gave pause like she wanted to say more...I said to her why the pause, is he bad? she just said he is very qualified (38 years doing surgery) but has a terrible bedside manner. I went to see him yesterday and now I know why. I have no doubt he is good. He has all of the state of the art equipment for Hemmorid clinic. he is also know as the top local colon surgeon for cancer. During the appointment, he came in, I gave him a quick history and that I needed colonoscopy. He did a quick rectal exam and said you have several external (4) hemorrhoids and the only way to fix is a surgery to remove . He then said get dressed and then left. I thought he would explain but never came back. the nurse came in and said to come back out to schedule. I told her I have questions so he did come back in and said that they wouldn't likely respond to infra red and that the surgery wouldn't be painful. downtime of 3-5 days. He said he uses laser or something that doesn't need stitches. He said I would be given pain pills and not to worry. I walked away uncertain with the lack of explanation. I know that this wont get better but I am thinking maybe I need a second opinion. 1 - he said these are external, so is he doing anything to cut the vein out to prevent reoccurence or is he just removing skin? 2- I have done a lot of reading and cant fund much on external only hemorrhoid surgery. lastly - I am having a colonoscopy with him two weeks before my actual surgery. Should I talk with him then and voice my concerns/questions prior and see what he finds? Has any one had external only removal surgery? do you have any insight? should I get a second opinion. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, LT