What to expect after Hemorrhoid surgery

Digestive health
1

I decided to start this post for a few reasons.   The first is to give me something to do while going through this.  Second, is maybe get some support from others who have been where I'm at.  And third, to let people know who are considering this surgery what to expect.

I turned 50 back in March and my wife has been telling me that I needed to go ahead and schedule a colonoscopy.  Well like every stubborn male I kept putting it off.   So we had been doing a lot of work outside in some hot weather and I ended up getting severe heat dehydration.  Spent a few hours in the ER and was told I needed to drink a lot more water than usual.  Because of the dehydration, I ended up becoming very constipated and developed some hemorrhoids.  The hemorrhoids weren't hurting but they were large.  So I went to see a Dr thinking that I could just get some magic cream and poof they would go away.  Well, he said those are bad and since I was 50 I needed a colonoscopy also.  He set up the surgery for both.  Like most people I got on this site and several others and became scared to death.  But I went ahead and went through with the surgery on 9/15/17.  The colonoscopy went well but here is where the story really begins.......

As I was rolled out of recovery and back into my room where my wife was waiting, I was in a good mood.  Wasn't in any pain at all.  Obviously I was still medicated.  They told me that as soon as I was able to urinate I would be able to go home.  That was harder said than done.  I tried and tried and just couldn't pee.  As time went on the medication started to wear off and the pain came with a vengeance.  At this point all I wanted to do was go home.  The nurse who was checking in on me must have felt sorry for me so she snuck in a shot of Demerol.  I even lied and said I was able to go to the bathroom so she started my release paperwork.  The Dr. came in and told me to take my pain meds, drink plenty of water, and take warm baths for relief.  The Demerol helped and my wife was able to get me home and in bed.    The first day really wasn't that bad.  Oh don't get me wrong, I was in pain.  But the worst was still yet to come.  I have a high tolerance for pain also. The second day the pain hit.  The best way I can describe the pain is a lot of pressure, stinging sharp pains, and a feeling of being cut down there. (Obviously)  I also had trouble urinating which only added to the pain.  With the help of pain meds I made it through the second day and night.  I woke up on the third day actually feeling pretty good.  I got up and soaked in a hot bath and then took a nice long shower.  I even felt like getting dressed and trying to feel like my old self.  For the best part of the day I was doing great.  Still not pain free by any means and still walking like a 90 year old man. Now understand, I haven't had a bowel movement yet.  So later that day, about 5 pm I guess, the pain came.  It felt like a lot of pressure like I needed to have a bowel movement.  But the Dr stressed not to strain so I just waited until I needed to go and then go to the bathroom.  Well that time never came.  But the pain got worse and worse.   I put in a call to the Dr.'s office and they had the on call Dr call me.  He told me to double up on the laxatives.  So I followed the instructions and did that.  Even with all the laxatives still nothing but pain.  So on day 4 I called the Dr.'s office and was able to speak with the Dr. who did my surgery.  He told me that everything that I was going through was normal and I could go to the pharmacy and get a bottle of Magnesium Citrate and try that.  My wife ran to the pharmacy and got a bottle.  The pharmacists told her to tell me to drink the entire bottle and I should have a bowel movement between 30 minutes to 6 hours after drinking the bottle.  Well almost three hours later Hell came.  I just made it to toilet before the bottom fell out.  Even though it was soft, mostly diarrhea, the pain was horrible.  The burning was way too much to handle so I jumped directly into the shower and started spraying myself off with the shower head.  Then I just laid in a hot tub of water until the pain let up.  I have continued to take all of the medications the Dr prescribed.  As the evening of day 4 came around, I was totally spent dealing with all of the pain.  My wife was trying to get me to go to the ER but I knew that all they would do is give me pain med and tell me to follow up with my Dr and then give me a nice bill.  I made it through night 4 and on the morning of day 5 my wife called my Dr.'s office and made me an appointment for 2 pm. (That is today by the way).  The Dr came in and looked at the area and said everything was looking like it is supposed to only 5 days after surgery.  He could see that I was in a lot of pain and reassured me that this would all pass.  He told me that some people can't take the pain and have to be admitted into the hospital.  He said that things should start feeling better in a few days.  He changed my pain medicine from Lortab to Percocet and added Neurontin to also help with the pain.  

So that's where I'm at right now.  Day 5 and still hurting.  Some of you that have had this surgery may have been doing much better by day 5 and some worse.  I think we are all different and react differently to pain.  I do know this is not a surgery to just jump into without getting some facts first.  It's going to hurt.  That's the one truth that I think all who have experienced it will agree on.  

I would love to hear other's post op stories.  I know that I still have a ways to go before I am pain free.  

As I am able, I will update everyone with how my recovery is going.

Take care,

Randy 

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Hi, I am waiting for my operation in a couple of weeks. Where did you have your operation? What did you actually get done to them and how long did the operation last, were they all internal ? What are you eating after the operation? I know you have to drink lots of water. Any information please, thanks

3

Hi Mary.  I had my surgery done in Shreveport Louisiana.  I had two large hemorrhoids that were protruding out.  I know there is a medical term for that but I don't know it.  I actually had a colonoscopy and the hemorrhoid surgery done at the same time.  My wife said I was in surgery for about an hour.  And as for what I am eating now.  I am trying to eat healthy.  Nothing too heavy.  Just make sure you don't eat foods that are spicy or cause constipation or you will regret it.  The best advice I can give you is be mentally prepared.  It's gonna hurt but you will get through it.  I'm at day 6 now and I am feeling better.   

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Six days of post surgery.

Had me on Tylonal 3 with codeine. Which didn't help with the pain. I like yourself had the same pain day one i was fine. Frozen this ia why. Day two somw pain. Day 3 bm and excruciating pain. Now pain 24/7. Was hoping to go back to work Monday.. NOT! Ran out of meds today went to urgent care they prescribed me Morphine. 2gm twice a day.

As for pain hell ya hurts like a b***h. Cant sleep. Waking like an old lady.

Hope this ends soon I had internal n external hemorrhoids.

Looks great but the pain is over whelming and I can normally take pain as i refuse to take any meds.. But with this I certainly need them. Keep me posted on your recovery and best of luck to you.

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Hi me93627,

It has been exactly 4 weeks since my surgery.  I never thought it would get better but it does.  I have some scar tissue but it's not bad.  The pain has gone away except for bowel movements.  I still have some bleeding during the BMs but not always.  My only advice is to keep drinking lots and lots of water.  Do not let yourself become constipated or you will be in a world of hurt.  I know from personal experience here.  Even after you get off the pain meds I would say keep taking stool softeners for awhile.  I know it's really hard to believe but it will get better.  You are only six days out.  You still have a while to go before you start feeling major relief.  Don't give up hope.  

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Randy how ia your pain now.

I thought i had a high pain tolerance too. On my 16 day now post op.. In so much pain.

Every bm seems to being more pain. Pain last for hours after bm Im on pain meds after first two did nothing. Now on perks They call them.. Cant take them as i feel very ill on them... So i suffer in excruciating pain until i start to heal. Hopeing to get some relief soon .. Not fun and im not going back to work until i can have a bm without pain.. How much longer???

Hope your pain is gone

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Sorry just saw this reply..

Thx for that. Yes ive been taking re store a lax for over a year keeps my stool soft but the meds did bum me up so i stopped taking them. Today soft bm pain level hasn't changed since 2nd day of op

I now have external roids come back.. Possibly why im in so much pain. Don't have follow up with surgeon until next week. He and every other surgeon seems to be on holidays..

Will never go through this again.. Too much pain for one to handle.

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Well I feel so much better after reading this thread! 

I struggled with piles after giving birth to my daughter. One of them just wouldn’t go away and often ended up with a blood clot which was just agony. After three years of going back and forth to the docs, trying to have the piles banded it was decided that it needed an operation.

Now I was not ready one bit for what was about to happen. I woke up and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Had to be wheeled out of hospital but once I got home I peeked up and felt fine. At around 3am I woke up in absolute agony so quickly took some of the strong pain killers I had been given. These took a hour to kick in and let’s just say it was a long hour.

The next four days were just agony, I have honestly never felt pain like it - this makes child birth look like a walk in the flipping park! It got to the point where I was constipated and simply could not cope with the level of pain. My partner drove me to a & e and after three hours I was discharged with new pain relief. Turns out the ones I had been given after the op have a side effect of making you constipated - just fabulous. Anyway the new pain relief allowed the laxatives to start working, horrendous pain. I’m now three weeks in, still in agony going to the toilet and often have shooting pains. Never in my life have I experienced pain like this.

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Jackie,

So sorry for the late reply.  I promise it will get better.  It's been about 9 weeks since I have had my surgery and I am so much better.  I have one small skin tag from the surgery but I can deal with that.  I still have some discomfort every once in a while during BMs but nothing like after the surgery.  I drink more water now and take fiber supplements to keep from being constipated.  I also take Miralax occasionally to help keep my stools soft.  My surgery was probably the most painful thing I have ever had to go through and I never thought the pain would end.   But I will.  Just be patient and try not to get depressed during recovery.  It's a slow process that you just can't rush.  You will be ok.  

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Hey, I am so sorry for the late response.  I have been so busy lately.  But I hope you are doing better now.  I am about 9 weeks out and I can say that the everyday pain is gone.  The key is to drink lots of water to keep from being constipated.  Eat a high fiber diet or take fiber supplements.  And if necessary take Miralax or another laxitive from time to time to keep your stools soft.  Avoid pushing during bowel movements.  I still have some pain sometimes during bowel movements and sometimes a little bit of blood.  When that happens I try to sit in hot bath afterwards and may even one more.  I was like you with the pain med.  They kept me awake and even made me constipated which defeated the purpose.  So I quit taking them.  But I promise it will get better.  It's a long and slow process but you have to be patient and try to not get depressed.  You will be ok.   

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Hi Randy

Thx for sharing. Im going on 8 weeks and still experiencing a lot of pain.. Its so uncomfortable after each bm i have to take pain meds to cope.

Again i went to see surgeon this morning. I am booked for another op. As he cannot even do a proper rectal exam without putting me out as I am still swollen n very sore inside and out which i again have external roids that came about two weeks after surgery.

I also started having blood in stool n bowl with bm on my 5 week unlike others whom experienced this days or immediately after surgery.

So Im not a happy camper as its unfortunate that this surgery did not work as well on me as it did others..

My stool is never hard as i take a stool softener daily.

I believe I have internal roids that are causing the bleeding still.

Im booked for the internal exam for Dec 6th I pray I will heal in between this time so i wont have to go through with it as if not then he may have to do more cutting..

This is the most horrible painful exoerience ive ever been through in my 56 yrs.

I would like to hear from others how they are recovering and anyone who is in the same boat as I ..

Thx and well wishes to all who have this surgery along with a speedy recovery

12

Thanks for your reply, it’s been nearly six weeks now and if I’m honest I’m still really struggling to cope with the pain. After going to the toilet I’m in agony for hours after - shooting pains and just terribly sore. I’m still off work as I have an active job and just feel that no one understands the pain levels I’m experiencing. Family do listen but I think they are getting fed up and they just have no idea what I’m going through which is very frustrating. I’m seeing the surgeon for a check up on 19th so he will hopefully give me peace of mind.

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Hi im on day 5 it hurt so bad today was the first day bowel momvent .. Drank Castor oil ... What else could i take to help ease the bowel movement?

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Hi drink plenty of water. Have you not been given medication from the hospital. I was given lactulose and fybogel, also paracetamol and dihydrocodeine for the pain. Where did you have your operation? Also what grade were your hamorrhoids?

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Hi Mary

Honestly I can say we heal differently. I'm myself am very healthy for my age. Never had any health issues in my 56 yrs. Except hemorrhoids for many years mainly inherited and would come about with lifting weights. And strain from constipation. Which Ive had all my life no matter how much water i drink or how clean my diet is..

With this said. I had grade lll internal roids removed Oct 10.

Finally today 9 weeks later i am pain free I hope unless i get constipated. Mine was a very long slow n painful recovery.

I did all I could to speed things up but Unfortunately i was not successful. Was also scheduled again for surgery Dec. 12th by colorectal surgeon to do exam as i was not healing n way to sore for him to give me a rectal exam in his office without putting me under..

So i today finally feel im out of the woods and cancelled this surgey as i never want to go through this ever again in my life.. Ive seen many on here healing within two weeks. And also others who are less fortunate like myself.

Why I have no idea.

My surgery was a 3 hr procedure. I'm in Canada.

Doc said id be back to work in two weeks.. I'm going back next week. As i was in still a lot of pain last week n today i still have blood in my stool.

And to top this off I now have a skin tag.. Sounds lovely yes lol

Anyway it maybe possible that this surgeon who I had trusted as I chose him, did not do a very good job.. I wont know until 2020 when i go for my colonoscopy

I'm just glad this is finally over .

It was brutal hell. And yes i will say i regret it having it.

So happy for the quick healers on here. Just wish we all would heal just as quickly as many others have.

Well wishes to all in recovery.

You will get through this. I did. You will too.

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I have had this surgery 5 days ago and I cant believe how painful it is, this site has been a really big help has I was not told much about the pain and recovery beforehand, I too have a good pain threshold but this has really done me in.

I first past a BM on day two and all I can say is it was like giving birth, but some days like today I don't feel to bad and can move around a little but I can't Waite to get back a bit off normality and go out of the house, I will keep my fingers crossed.

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Hello, just wanted to share my husband's experience.  He has had bleeding off and on for years from internal hemorrhoids that looks huge on colonoscopy photos.  Finally decided it was time to take care of them and stop the bleeding.  Our surgeon advised us that the stapling procedure was less painful and would eliminate the hemorrhoids. The stapling procedure would keep the integrity of the anal tissue and it would lift the tissue up, reduce blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids which would shrink within 4-6 weeks.  The procedure was called PPH.

I was happy to read everyone's posts and experiences post op. When we arrived home, we applied ice and followed all instructions.  My husband was given oxycodone which I had him take as soon as we got home.  Being a nurse, I knew that it was important to take the pain medication right away, before the pain kicked in.  The Dr. used local in addition to the general anesthesia, so that helped with pain.  I had my husband take the pain med every 4 hours, except during the night when he slept.  He took the oxycodone for 2 days and decided not to use it anymore since it causes constipation and his pain level was tolerable for him. He switched to Alleve and used that for 4 more days then stopped it since his discomfort was down to a 3.  He was also concerned about any GI issues that Alleve might cause - bleeding in stomach etc.

The night of surgery, he used mineral oil with his evening meal as the Dr. prescribed. He put 1-2 Tablespoons in juice and drank that. He experienced a lot of pressure which was tolerable with the pain med.  On the third day, he had a BM which had a small amount of blood; he took showers and applied warm heat that way; then he had numerous soft BM's.  I had him on a high fiber diet with oatmeal, beans, flax and chia seed meal, boiled potatoes, green smoothies, brown rice, veggie stew.  

This is day 8 and his level of discomfort is 3.  He continues his heat applications via shower 3 times a day; he stopped the mineral oil on day 4; He has good soft BM's about 4 times a day. Has been using Benefiber - we prefer that over Metamucil (since Benefiber has more fiber).

He has been walking around the house, up and down stairs to the basement for exercise and drinks a lot of water. Randy is right!  Drink lots of water!!!

His biggest complaint is the same as others have expressed.  Heavy pressure in his rectal area which makes it uncomfortable when he is standing. He is retired, so that makes it easy for him to recover.  That heavy pressure feeling is what keeps him down right now. We were told that the first week would be the worst and thankfully this is the beginning of week 2.

I am happy to hear from others, Randy, 93627, etc. that it gets better with time. I am sorry for all those who suffer with this issue.  I am a retired OR nurse and have seen terrible hemorrhoid surgeries in the past!  Please be sure you have a good Colon/Rectal surgeon who is an expert and is up to date with new procedures, and not just a general surgeon who does not do many of these surgeries.  

Hope this helps anyone contemplating Hemorrhoid surgery. Best wishes to all !! 

93627, I hope you have recovered since your December exam !!!

 

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Hello Jackie,  I see that it's been 2 months since your post.  How are you feeling now?  My husband just had the PPH stapling procedure.

His biggest discomfort is a heavy pressure in his rectal/anal area.  He has actually done pretty well with discontinuing pain meds and having good soft bowel movements.  this is day 8 for him, so the first week which we were told would be the worst, is past.

I am glad that Randy has posted that he is good now after 9 weeks.  Our bodies take time to heal at different rates.  I hope you have healed by now.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

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Hello Michelle,  my husband is on day 8 after the PPH stapling procedure.

He is off all pain meds now and has also stopped the mineral oil that the Dr. prescribed.  He still takes the showers  to apply heat and walks around the house for exercise.  His complaint is the constant heavy pressure that he feels when he stands.  He feels like he has to have a BM all the time. It is very uncomfortable for him.  He has not gone out because he feels he needs to be by the bathroom.

So, reading about other's experiences gives all of us hope that this too will pass!

20

Thank you for sharing your experience! My husband was wondering how long he would be uncomfortable, so it has helped reading about everyone's experiences!