Positive haemorrhoidoctomy experience

[nh_user_1353680]

Hello everyone! I wanted to share my experience of a haemorrhoidoctomy and banding as I'd spent months online reading through the experiences of other people and was terrified at the thought of going through with the surgery (and this was my first ever surgery). Let me start by saying that I am 29y/o, fit and healthy so maybe that was on my side going through this surgery. I'd been battling this pesky condition for about 4 years (in hindsight knowing what I know now, I should have had this looked at when it first became a concern and no doubt I wouldn't have been in this situation- nonetheless, you live and learn!), after seeing one general surgeon referred to me by my GP, he advised me to try a gel (rectogesic I think it was called) and to come back and see him in 2-3 months if my condition didn't improve as he wasn't certain it was a haemorrhoid I was dealing with. Long story short, the gel didn't work, and as I began researching into possible diagnosis, I also decided I needed a second opinion by someone who specialised in this area - I then got a referral to a colorectal surgeon. He took one look at it and said it's a stage 4 prolapsed internal haemorrhoid that needed to be removed and also a smaller one that would need to be banded with the removal of a skin tag too. The surgery itself was delayed a few months because of the reduced surgeries during COVID-19 (I'm from Australia) and during this time my condition worsened (it was coming out ALL the time, it bled and it was painful. Not to mention I also developed a fissure twice). I've now had the surgery and let me tell you, it was so worth it and certainly nowhere near as painful as I was expecting it to be.! DAY OF SURGERY: I woke up fine, a slight ache that ran as far up as my tail bone, but nothing more. Panadol helped with the ache every 4-hours. I was also given a stool softener to take twice a day. DAY 1 POST: I'd slept fine during the night, slightly more pain that I'd describe as a throbbing ache that was probably a 5 or 6 out of 10 that just wouldn't stop so it was more uncomfortable and irritating than painful as such. I was discharged from hospital and felt pretty good at home for the remainder of the day. DAY 2 POST: My first BM happened in the AM and I was so relieved that the stool softeners and my high fibre diet worked it's magic as it wasn't all that bad. There was a tight, pulling sensation and definitely plenty of stings but I didn't find it unbearable. I was also expecting my stitches around my anus to tear open but they did not. It wasn't a walk in the park, but I wouldn't say it was the worst pain I'd experienced. I still think the pain of a fissure was much worse than this! Jumping into a bath right after the BM relieved the pain and also helped me relax as I was quite tense from feeling so nervous about the entire ordeal! I will also say a squatty potty certainly helps (google it I highly recommend!). I'll make a note here to say this first BM was not a regular BM as it was very small, bloody and I also passed some packing of some sort they placed over the wound inside. DAY 3 POST: Had 2 BM's and both were much less terrifying! Things felt as usual - aches and stings that were easily settled with Panadol. Only other difference that I noticed was more bleeding but nothing that concerned me. I jumped right in the bath afterwards which was nice. DAY 4 POST: Today is the first day where it's felt somewhat 'normal'! I've found I've been able to get through the day with only one round of Panadol and I've finally been able to sit comfortably for a period of time on my bum and not lie on my side. Day 4 has felt like the turning point where things will get easier. I also didn't need to jump in a bath immediately after a BM as the pain was almost not there at all. Tomorrow is day 5 post op for me and I hope it's as good, if not better than day 4! I feel incredibly lucky with the experience I've had thus far as it really hasn't been as bad as I had expected. If anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them. I have a few things I'd recommend for anyone else who may have to go through this; a) Do your research and don't trust just anyone with this procedure! Find a well regarded surgeon b) Get this sorted sooner rather than later! c) Start on a high fibre diet 4-5 days PRIOR to surgery and maintain it afterwards - I swear to never eat anything that isn't high in fibre! My diet has consisted of overnight oats with Chia, honey and frozen fruits, daily fresh fruit juice (watermelon, orange, celery, cucumber and mango), and fish with veggies for dinner. d) Invest in a squatty potty or even use a foam roller when using the bathroom to eliminate the need to strain c) Toilet paper is not your friend after this procedure - wet wipes are the way to go or jump straight into the shower or bath (add epsom salts I promise it won't sting at all) d) After a shower or bath, use a hairdrier to keep the area dry c) Listen to your body and rest. Each person is different but I hope for anyone else that is due to have this procedure done that it's a positive experience.