Recovering from a haemorrhoidectomy . . . warning: TMI alert . . .

[Puffykins]

Has anybody ever had a heamorrhoidectomy, and if so, please can you tell me how long recovery took? I'm on day 12 now, and am still in considerable pain - I can't walk anywhere except the bathroom for the endless baths I take, can barely sit up unless I'm on my special donut cushion and even then only last up to 45 minutes. I have two young children, and I just feel that this is so unfair on them. And I'm getting kind of depressed about my lack of progress. I need someone to give me hope. Please?!
(P.S. If anyone is considering having one: strongly consider it. I've never experienced anything more painful than the first 4 days post op, EVER. I would gladly have given birth every day rather than going through the pain I was subject to.)

Sorry for your pain cruickie...
I am 5 weeks post op today and each Bm is still tortuous.please read my posts above as they may be of benefit.
Single most important thing to do....Avoid Constipation or..Hard ..Poos...they just feel like they are ripping apart your interior...
So..make sure you have Stool Softener to soften poo and /or other different laxatives if you need to ensure you have a BM daily.
I still bleed a little 5 weeks post op after each BM.
Hang on in there.
Don't know anything about Tremadol but do know that any pain killer containing codeine can cause constipation so zi have chosen to avoid them and only take paracetamol combined with anti inflammatory tablets daily.
Best of luck...a day at a time.

Oh yes tramadol and codeine are both opiod meds which give you constipation which as john95 says, should be avoided at all costs. I was discharged without laxatives and had to buy them nut make sure you have them or your hell will be even worse!

John95 and Vixster11 - thank you both so much for ur comments, they are appreciated no end.

It’s absolutely invaluable hearing from folk that are experiencing this too and can fully empathise. Family members bless them just hear ‘oh haemrrhoids’ as tho it is nothing and such a run of mill procedure but DAMN it is holy hell.

Vixster11, pudendal neuralgia sounds awful, i’m sorry to hear uv developed this due to ur procedure 😞 I also work for the NHS ☺️, i’m a trainee neurophysiologist & would say i’m quite clued up medically minded and let me tell you I was just NOT prepared for the onslaught of this pain, no siree, and feel super naive for disregarding it for being possibly a week or two of ‘discomfort’ then back to normal. Going by your experiences, there is a long and painful road ahead. John95, i get you about avoiding the codeines for their tendency to make stools hard, but how did u manage ur pain otherwise? I am in awe that you have managed to stay clear of them. My only respite at the minute is when I finally KO with the tramadol. It’s very strange, I feel numb all over my body with the tramadol, i joked that my hubby could punch me in the face and i’d not feel it! but yet my back end is still in piercing agony - not cool!
I have got in touch with my surgeon’s secratraial team today and they have advised me to be referred to a Surgical Ambulatory Clinic ... never heard of this but if they can advise more on pain relief I will b there in a heartbeat!
Thanks again guys, I hope u both are having better days too :)

Hi..empathise with any unlucky individual who has to go through this.
I specifically and only asked my surgeon one question about recovery:
"How long will the pain last?"
His answer:"Two weeks"
Enough said.
Thankfully I had also read other people's stories before the surgery so expectations were low to begin with .
In answer to your question .I have managed without opioids out of fear of having a BM after constipation .
My first BM took ..... 9 hours ....on and off loo.
I mentioned in an earlier post that out of desperation I discovered an article on the internet that indicated use of rectogesic ointment ( glyceryl trinitrate ointment) was beneficial post-op.
As painful as it was to apply ... I found it of benefit.
Also...18 days post op....I started using suppositories ( proctosedyl).
Please note these are contraindicated for some people so quick phone call to your GP first.
Lots of sitz baths.
One final thing....I bought a Squatty Potty....found it remarkably efficient!!!!
Please hang on in there....recovery is slloooow for many people so take it a day at a time.

glycerine suppositories - they will help pass bowel movement - drink plenty & do not let yourself get constipated - unlike suppositories with steroids you can use these whenever you need them. I had this done years ago & had suffered for decades before with piles thanks to breech delivery - they no longer cause me any problem it was so worth it! I would say the worst of the pain was the first month but it does get slowly better within that time. I eat those dried apricots & drank orange juice - the pain was unbelievable & the worst part is that you don't the sympathy for something that was worse than my breech delivery!!! my sympathy but it will get better - recovery does differ from person to person

Hi, how you feeling now? I’m 15 day’s post op and yesterday felt really good & today I have pain again. When the pain hits I seem to get this calf pain. This operation has been a bloody nightmare and I can only hope it’s going to be worth it. I still have what looks like tiny external haemmoroids 😱

I'm 7 years post surgery and I think I have developed pudendal neuralgia too. Was really ill in the summer with constipation which was horrendous. Still need to get the time to see the GP about it.

Oh god Groovee, I do hope not. I'm still unsure what is happening with me re this. Saw my surgeon who looked at my operation notes and confirmed they had given me a pudenal nerve block - supposedly for pain relief post surgery - and this could have irritated the nerve. Oh great, thanks then as I got no pain relief at all just this! If I take the pain killers given for it its ok but I try not to and it comes back. Just great for relations you know. Thsnks a bunch!

After reading all these, I don't even know if I want to get rid of mine now. I have 3 "friends", Curly Larry and Mo! All grade 4 ie prolapsed.
I saw a surgeon who told me he would do PPH surgery which is basically where a rocket shaped thing is stuck up, the haemorroids are pulled back up in and then a row of internal staples keeps them in place until they fix themselves there and the staples come out naturally. Well you can imagine what I said to that suggestion!!! Which is why my 3 amigos are still here.
They became sore and inflamed a few weeks ago so I started looking at other options. Has anyone ever had laser surgery for them? I contacted a place and they say the whole thing takes about 20 mins and you.can go back to work in the afternoon!!!! Any ideas welcome.

update. 7 weeks post -op. exactly.
I was expecting recovery to be difficult and was and remain stoical .
However... people need to know what may be coming their way if they have a haemorrhoidectomy.( in my case two removed)
I continue to experience agonizing pain for the length of time the process takes.Sometimes it begin and then just stops due to pain and anal spasm.I resist the urge to push or strain and clean,get up and walk away.Generally within an hour the BM restarts and continues to completion.
I do not feel I have made any significant improvement in the last 5 weeks so will be attending G.P tomorrow.My guess is that I have developed an anal fissure...basically a tear, which opens, each time I have a BM. I continue to bleed at each BM.
Pain subsides over the next 3 hours only for the same cycle to restart after each BM.
Being objective...In my personal case would I have chosen a haemorrhoidectomy knowing what i KNOW NOW.?
Seeing as my surgeon told me pre-op that pain would last 2 weeks,................NOBODY WILL BE SURPRISED IF i STATE ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Take care..everyone....I wish you all well.

,

I'm so afraid and scared at the moment. I've always had piles for the past number of years. They played up a few months ago and that's when I went to get them looked at and as per previous post, doc explained what he would do. They have now flared up again. Sore, stinging, sore bum as if I've been riding a bike and now I've convinced myself it is something more sinister. I'm petrified. Has anyone any advice?

My device would be to find a hospital that offers haemorrhoidal artery ligation (HALO) which is supposed to be a much quick recovery time than a traditional harmorrhoidectomy or stapling. Did any of you that are suffering have a HALO operation?

My advice not device! (Wish there was an edit button!)

Oh my gosh. I am terrified! I have waited a year for my appointment, on the NHS, and finally have one om the 18th dec. But after reading this thread im having second thoughts. I really want them gone but im not sure im prepared for months of torture. I was told by the surgeon, and the NHS website, that recovery would take 2 weeks. But you were all told the same thing but are experiencing ongoing hell. Luckily, mine do not cause too much discomfort, but they are highly unsightly as they prolapse. And, sorry for tmi, but DS is my fave posotion with partner but im so put off and insecure about them proposing and my partner being completely turned off!

There is light at the end of the tunnel. I am completely cured; no pain or issues at all now 2 months post op. It was hell at first but now I feel it may have been worth it. Hope that helps.

The pudendal neuralgia has gone too!

I'm having investigations into what's going on with me. I however did have an interval which cleared me off piles but I have a slight skin tag from my surgery but it doesn't bother me too much x

I, unfortunately, have loads of experience of this type of operation - 5 in 10 years - so if you have any questions, fire away.

It might be helpful to state if you have internal or external hems too, as the resolution and treatment will be different for each type.

Vixter good to hear youve made a full recovery.

Hi All,
I had a haemorrhoidectomy [3x internal moderate stage 4 haemorrhoids] & a fissure debridement on 17th Of August this year. On discharge from Hospital the next day, I was given Tramadol & an Antibiotic to take. Extreme pain soon developed at home & the Tramadol were only 75% effective. Fortunately I had a small supply of 5mg Endone which is a powerful narcotic analgesic I use occasionally to treat back & neck injuries sustained in a car crash. It was almost 100% effective & I supplemented it with 2 Panamax, taking both every 6 hours for total relief. My Specialist also prescribed Benefibre twice daily, 6 glasses of water & a high fibre diet which I strictly adhere to. The first 14 days post operation were the worst pain I had experienced since the car crash. Sitting, even sideways, was near impossible for more than 10 minutes. I could only lay sideways with a pillow between my legs, stand or walk a short distance without increasing my discomfort. Faecal incontinence was also a problem, so I had to stay close to a toilet. I had 6 episodes where I only just made it in time. By the 3rd week my pain level diminished about 25% so I began alternating the Endone [my GP prescribed an extra supply] with the Tramadol. This kept the pain at a tolerable level & I ensured I took the Endone before bed to get some decent sleep. By the 5th week there was a further pain reduction & I managed it with half an Endone together with a couple of panamax except at bedtime when I used 2 panadol osteo as they are longer acting. I was able to drive again in Post Op weeks 7 & 8 , but had to use a donut cushion & be extremely careful getting in & out of the car. As another pain reliever, I bought a sitz bath with a hand operated bubbler which worked well with very warm water after a bowel motion which I was having up to 3 times a day. Week 9 was the first time I could get through the day without analgesics so I knew the healing process was nearly done. I was careful with my movements but slipped up occasionally causing anal pain which half an Endone & an hours rest fixed. During week 10, I managed to do without any oral pain relievers but still used the sitz bath 3 times a day in addition to 2 warm showers. It was week 12 before I could say I was 90% back to normal. My anal area is still very tender & I'm very careful using wet wipes after a motion which has settled back to once in the morning as it was Pre Op. I should mention I also used Rectinol & Vaseline on my anal area during the recovery process. I hope I never need another Operation like this. It's been one of the worst experiences of my life. My Family were a big help the whole time for which I'm eternally grateful. Thank God for Endone & scrap the Tramadol. Regards Jeff.

Oh, I forgot to mention I was also taking 2 Movicols each day to soften the faeces but now I'm only taking 1 late in the day as they take about 8 hours to work. Regards Jeff.

Hi,

I am a male, 48.

I had a haemorrhoidectomy for one external pile last Saturday at BMI Manchester NHS Lancaster ward (referred by GP).

I had read this thread (and others online) in the weeks leading up and nearly cancelled the op such was my panic but the constant tearing of the large pile really needed addressing.

It seems the consultant did a circumference excision and I am really pleased at day 6. It was done under GA with a precautionary sigmoidoscopy done at the same time - all clear on that score.

I had a pre op enema which really cleared me out and took a little time to urinate post op but left at 5pm.

I was given metronidazole antibiotics (finished today) and dioctyl softener/laxative (I take four a day).

For me the pain has been no more that 3/10 with ibuprofen and paracetamol taken really only in the first few days.

I had my first BM Sunday at around 11pm then monday at 2pm and daily until two today. No real pain with the softener. I had no blood earlier today but I had a little bit of bleeding just a half hour ago. I can feel it now, a feeling not pain so I presume the wound is just opening a little with a bm. I shower in the adjacent downstairs ensuite post bm then hair dry. No wiping yet. I still have a sanitary pad on my undies (I bought some tena) but little seepage today.

Sitting is generally fine for an hour or so and I may just wince with a sharp movement when rising. I suspect I'll use my full two week sick note as I sit for nine hours at a time in my job.

I've walked a daily hour dog walk these last two days plus kids to school and did shorter walks before then. I read it gets blood to the area to heal. Drinking milk for protein (repairs quicker) etc.

Everyone is different I guess with thresholds etc. I upped my fruit in the week before and since and stopped my vice - chocolate. I cycle about 4/5x a week generally and surf regularly so hope to get back to that post xmas with a trip to Portugal planned in January then February but we'll see.

I thought I'd post this to add my experience. As stated very manageable pain for me (watching Parliament on tv has been more painful) and the dioctyl means I'm on the loo and off in 30 seconds then right into the shower (and mini old dolls bath I've placed in the cubicle).

Going forward those squatty pots look very interesting.

Of note I had a circumcision four years ago for a weird dermatalogical condition (Lichen Sclerosis causing foreskin tightening but for which circumcision is 100% curative) and found that much more painful tho' I did get a hospital acquired bug in the wound which antibiotics sortes but which lengthened my recovery.

All told I'm now a new photogenic man in the below belt region!

Hi all, I have been reading your thread re post op pain and it does not sound fun. I am scheduled to have my haemorroidectomy in a few weeks. I am psyching myself up for the pain but my concern (other than that) is the time I will need off work. I work in child care and am on my feet most of the day PLUS i have a holiday book for 10 weeks post op so am worried I will not have enough healing time (I do not want to be out in the middle of the ocean and have bleeding and pain problems)
Yes I have hemorrhoids but they are not that painful (yet) i guess just very uncomfortable on occasion.However, I do bleed a lot from time to time when one bursts usually after a BM but sometimes for no reason other than their there and engorged. As a safe guard I have resorted to wearing a pad all the time just in case I bleed when Im out and about (if I am not wearing a pad it could be embarrassing). Also my uniform pants are light in colour so its a safe guard for me.
Is this enough of a reason for me to go through the pain of an operation? Or should I continue with my lifestyle? Will they get worse as I get older (older in my sixties)?
Will one weeks be enough off work? (not by the sounds of it)
Will I be 100% for my holiday? I know every one is individual but should 10 weeks be enough?
Hoping for some input here. I dont want to go into my op second guessing myself, I need to be totally possessive going in.

I work with children and was off just over 3 weeks. In Hindsight it was too quick.

Iam day 5 post op and still haven’t had a bowel movement. The wind is very painful. Managed to pass what can only be described as purple blood staining. Taking lactulose as directed. Any help appreciated

I'm 5 days post-op today, had LigaSure for what was supposed to be 1 internal haem and 1 external tag, but was 3 large internal haems and the tag once they got in there (and now they want to do extra sigmoidoscopy work to check out other symptoms). I've had major pain before (very high speed motor accident with multiple broken bones, head injury and months of soft tissue issues) but this is knocking me flat. For the first time ever this time I was sick after the GA, which wasn't a great start.

I've been given Movicol and Lactulose, but this has created the most appalling pain from gas - and every BM is an explosive mess of blood and liquid. My body can't tell what's solid (liquid) and what's gas, and when I need to go I have less than 10 seconds warning. Hot showers have been my saviour, as the Cocodamol and ibuprofen aren't touching the pain. This morning it took 2.5 hours for the pain from my BM to subside, after taking both AND a hot shower. My tip: Windeze gel caps for the gas - thank god that has started to subside at least.

I did a lot of reading beforehand and assumed that as I have a high pain threshold I'd be reasonably fine. No.

I'm freelance and although I managed to work the day afterwards, from bed (still drugged up to the max after the GA) when I tried yesterday I managed under an hour. I'm totally spaced from the meds and can't face eating either, but I'm gamely insisting on porridge every morning "because it's good for me".

The lack of sleep from the gas pain and fear of leakage / explosion is not helping. I'm scared my body will never again be able to tell between a BM and gas - can someone reassure me this will change??? DH wants me to contact the consultant but he was very clear he doesn't want me to get in touch for at least 6 weeks as everything unusual I experience will be 'normal'. I'm also praying, perversely, that at some point I will have an actual BM which isn't just a high-explosive scene of blood and carnage - but I'm too scared to stop taking the Movicol and Lactulose in case I get constipated from the painkillers.

Conclusion: rock and a hard place. Would I have this done again? Ask me again in a few months. My consultant was very clear about the post-op pain, but I wasn't prepared for how utterly wiped out I would be. I can't see this op being a viable option for anyone who doesn't have support at home for cooking, shopping, cleaning and childcare - for at least a couple of weeks. Just as well I'm not doing something like having builders in to remodel the house, or jobhunting at the moment... oh, wait... yes, the timing sucked majorly on both fronts.