So, I had my surgery last week. Prior to the surgery I was in a room before they wheeled me into the operating theatre where the nurse inserted a needle into my wrist (for the anaesthetic). At this point I was terrified and briefly wondered if I could make a run for it. I was in tears because I was so anxious about the surgery (or rather the pain I would experience in recovery). I have had other operations before, but I have never been so terrified/anxious as I have been with this one. I have suffered with H for 20+ years and finally had enough and decided to do the surgery. I have the type that forms external blood clots. The thought of living with it for another 20+ years was too much so I decided to have the operation. The surgeon said my H wasn't suitable for banding. The pain level is okay. More uncomfortable than painful. So far I am only taking Panadol. I haven't hit the hard stuff yet. It is no worse than when I am having an episode. Although I have been to the toilet and done #2, I am terrified of going again. So much so that I am scared to eat which is going to be hard with the holiday season coming up. I am drinking water. I'm not sure if it was the antibiotics or the Movicol, but I have had diarrhoea. Definitely not as a result of infection as I have checked my temperature and been very careful about keeping the area clean. I think I have lost about 1.5kg so far. Reading the posts about sitting on the toilet v squatting. I have never 'squatted' before, but since the op have found it more comfortable/easier to pass than sitting. I am using both Sudocreme and Rectinol ointment. Rectinol ointment contains a local anaesthetic. My advice. Eat well and drink plenty of water so as to avoid getting H in the first place!