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.)

@lollydarling @AniseedBall
Hi girls. Mine was two weeks Thursday (just gone) I’m feeling good. BM are no longer painful, it doesn’t hurt after either, just a bit achy for a bit, I’ve been putting a bit of TCP in the site bath and this has helped. All there is now is an itch! Which my Mums says it’s a sign of getting better. Day 5/6 was the worst for me I think, I had most pain and was crying at that stage. I couldn’t get comfortable, the pain was intense and I was really questioning why I had it done! But now 2 weeks in I feel really good, everything is going back to normal, swelling around the bum is all shrinking and it’s starting to look normal again lol!! Just hang on in there girls, just rest and drink lots and sitz those bum holes until the cows come home xxx

@lollydarling how are things today? I hope the tummy rumblings last night didn't come to anything!! I finally went once this morning and can't even imagine what going again today would be like 😱 Such a relief to have the first one out the way but I'm not looking forward to next time. My consultant said due to swelling days 4/5 can be the worst for pain so 🤞🏻you might be over the worst soon.

I've also heard recovery from internal ones isn't as bad and I'm clinging onto that and what @Vikki6 has said about her recovery. I meant to ask the surgeon but forgot. He just said the standard stuff about recovery time, can be around 2 weeks and can take a lot longer - joy!!

I know what you mean about googling, I'm doing that and re reading this thread in the hope I'll find a nugget of advice that will mean a miraculous recovery. I've read every hospital advice leaflet out there 😀

Thanks @Vikki6 it's so good to hear how well you are doing. I'm only day 3 (seems a lot longer...) so early days but praying I recover like you have. I've looked at the sitz baths - I guess you find it comfortable, I'm worried I'll be at a funny angle and strain things 🤪

Don't know how I managed all that bold stuff 😬

I got my sitz bath off of EBay and it sits on top on the toilet seat, honestly it’s brilliant and wish I’d had it earlier. My haemorrhoids were right near the opening which is probably why it’s been so painful and uncomfortable. I went back to work yesterday and it was ok. 10 days ago I would of said there is no way I’m going to mange with work all day, what if I need the toilet etc, but it was fine. It literally happened over night, it started to feel better and better each morning. I still take 1 sachet of stool softener each morning and that seems to keep things moving. Girls it was honestly the worse thing I’ve ever done and I’ve had a lot of births 😖 but now I’m so glad because I know that big bloody orange sized pile (it felt that big!) won’t be hanging out anymore!!

Hey girls, @Vikki6 so pleased to hear that you are feeling much better - wow back at work too! Doing a little happy dance for u! @AniseedBall there is hope for us yet 🤗

So today is day 6 and so far been relatively pain free, it's like a miracle.. went from 100 on the pain scale to like a maybe a 3-4 over night! I even got up with my little boy in the night as he's developed a horrible croup cough and I couldn't bare to hear him all sad and in pain. Settled him and woke up at 7ish to run a bath and do my BM prep (@AniseedBall 😂) and ended up not needing to go so went and gave him his brekkie and had a cuddle on the sofa - honestly I've missed those little things so much it was so nice. Anyway then I started to get a bit concerned that I hadn't been to the loo so I had a sachet of movicol and couple of hours later did a small and quite firm BM (painful but not anywhere near as when it's runny 🔥😖) jumped in the bath and washed my hair which was beginning to resemble a birds nest and I've even managed to put some makeup on! Not sure why, just want to feel normal.

It's taken it out of me but I'm determined to at least blow dry my hair today and spend as much time up as possible. Don't wanna jinx it so I won't say it but could this be the start of a beautiful pain free future? God I hope so!

@AniseedBall well done for going! It feels like such an achievement don't it, I'm keeping everything crossed for you that you are over the worst now xxx

Hope you both have a lovely pain free Sunday x

@Vikki6 I'm looking at sitz baths now I think I'm gonna get one, have u had to bring it to work with you? That's my biggest fear about going back! Are your bms under control or do you still have that urgency with 0.3 seconds notice?

Also girls what are you eating? Have you got any foods that need to be avoided at all costs, my life just revolves around pooing at the moment! It's so trial and error 😭😂

@Vikki6 @AniseedBall

That urge to poop was horrible! That has gone now thankfully. Just doing one in the morning like clockwork! Had a BM before work yesterday morning and I was fine all day. The sitz bath is a little large lol! I’d get rather funny looks carrying that into work haha! Plus I ordered a pink one just to make myself feel better.

I eat anything and everything, I am drinking lots which is what helps a great deal. I did think I was in the mend about 5 days and then it all went a bit wrong again, but it’s been a few days now where I have felt normal apart from a few twinges and a bit achy. You're both not far behind me, the end is near 😘

@Vikki6 after suffering for so long I'm looking forward to not having the daily pain! It's amazing you are back at work. I almost laughed at my Consultant when he said most people need two weeks off work. I didn't think it was possible.

@lollydarling I'm so pleased for you - sounds like you've turned a corner. I can't wait to be there.
It must feel amazing to have washed your hair. That's my big plan for tomorrow!! It currently feels like I've got a throbbing watermelon stuck up my bottom.

The urgency you mention could be down to the Movicol. I've found in the past a largish dose causes it. I'm trying not to eat anything with seeds like berries and anything that will irritate on the way out like nuts or granary bread. I did read to avoid eating fruit and vegetables with skin but I have eaten some grapes. Otherwise I'm going for high fruit and vegetables along with what I'd normally eat. I don't know if this is correct but I'm trying not to get into a strange diet I'm then scared to deviate from.

I hope your son is feeling better. Croup is nasty.

Evening ladies, I think I spoke too soon. Today have had a few setbacks and can't work out why. Don't get me wrong the pain is nowhere near as severe as the first few days but this stabbing sharp pain like someone is sticking a rose bush up my bum. And then theres the after bm burn ☹️ it's still quite intense.. that's the main prob at the moment I literally have to lay in the bath every time till it subsides. Literally throws my whole day out and makes me so miserable @Vikki6 did you have this? When did it stop for you?

Feeling a bit sad and fed up this evening. Only positive is the bleeding has stopped, it's just the pain..

@AniseedBall How u feeling? X

@AniseedBall LOL at the watermelon comment. CAN RELATE 😭

Hi @lollydarling so sorry to hear about your setbacks today. Did you have lots of BMs? Did that cause the problem? It's no wonder you are feeling sad. I've read that GA can make you feel down too, so that probably isn't helping 😥

I'm feeling slightly better this evening melonwise 😀 I've just had my third bath of the day, they really helping so far. I'm still bleeding, even having a wee can set it off, which is getting me down. I was told it would be minimal but I guess the BM reopens the sounds a bit. I have still got a bulge which looks to me like a haemorrhoid but it's been here since I got home and was told it went well and looked good so I'm trying not to panic. I'm going to email the Consultant in the morning.

I hope your painkillers help, you have a good night's sleep and 🤞🏻for tomorrow.

@lollydarling Yes I had that feeling! 2 weeks, I literally got to two weeks and all the pain just went. The burning sensation gets better and better over time, I got the feeling after a BM that it was so swollen and achy, and that I needed to go again. I had quite a bit of blood at every BM, now nothing. I also had what looked like a haemorrhoid and other little bumps which I thought was something they had left, but this has gone right down. There’s still bits there but I’m sure that will suck back in once it’s healed. I’m due to go back in 31st Oct to find out exactly what else they did. The pain does get less and less after BM and the throbbing does subside, (better with every day that passes) I’m sure the TCP has helped with keeping the area cleaner and would recommend that or Witch Hazel to just dab around the area. All I’m left with now is the itch!!!! And does it blood itch!! People will think I’ve got worms!!

Yes had the sharp pain. That lasts a while, still get the sharp pain now and then but it’s not as bad as it was. It makes you jump! Girls I can honestly say it was unbearable at first but now I have hardly any pain or discomfort x

Thanks @Vikki6 this really does make me feel better. Somehow less scary when you know there's other people out there in the world who can relate to what your going through. Gonna go get a sitz bath tomorrow would u recommend one ? Or do I need to measure my toilet and that? Gonna order a Squatty potty too there's rave reviews on them! i e also got the
Lumps and bumps too but honestly I haven't been bothered so far, It better have worked and everything but I've been in too much pain to care! Did your consultant say when it should settle. I'm sure it will I've read lots that part of the healing is everything getting sucked back in 😘 how lovely will it be to have nice normal bum holes again girls 🥰 no more watermelon club!

Currently writing this from the bath.. I've eaten really well today amongst all the palava.. my appetite came back (and then some!) but I've been really careful to eat lots of high fibre stuff (wholemeal pasta, broccoli, crackers, wholemeal toast and ceareals etc. I've probably had a little meal every 2-3 hours. Also wanted to really try and bulk up bind everything together. Took a movicol first thing and last thing and my
God it's worked!!!!! Woke up at 1-20 with grumbly tummy along with cramps - haven't had the tell tale cramps since the op so this was new (maybe still been numb inside). Felt urgent but I was too scared so faffed around a bit, necked my meds and jumped around a bit waiting for bath to run thinking this was gonna be a bad one!! But no, minimal pain, minimal effort and lots and lots of it! Lol I'm so proud of it it's the perfect consistency I even took a pic 🤣🤣🤣 I haven't even really needed a bath I used baby wipes to clean myself for the first time and have just jumped in anyway. I am so so happy I don't even care that it's 2am lol.. now just gotta get this to become regular first thing every morning and I think I'm set 🥳 can't tell u how happy I am if I continue on this line of improvement!

@AniseedBall it sounds like your recovery is going really well and for that I'm so pleased! What are you on now day 4?5?

If my experience is anything to go buy then you will reach little milestones will don't feel like anything at the time because the pain still exceeds the positive but eventually all those little things (less - no blood, decreasing pain) start to outweigh the pain. Tonight has defo been that turning point for me, being able to empty completely with minimal pain is euphoric lol

I am very aware how ridiculous that sounds btw but sod it im poo proud 🤣🤣🤣

Look forward to hearing your progress report!

You guys are keeping me going @AniseedBall @Vikki6

Hi @Vikki6 and @lollydarling I hope you are both doing well today.

Great to read your updates - it helps so much to hear other people's experiences. I'm so pleased things improved for you last night @lollydarling
Poo proud made me laugh! Hoping I will be one day very soon 😀

I didn't get any warning from the hospital about the lumps and bumps so hopefully it's just skin and once the swelling settles it'll all suck back in. I'm glad it's not unusual anyway. I noticed it when I got home from the hospital but tried not to worry and then last night my DH said it looked just like a haemorrhoid. I don't mind going through this but I need it to work!!! I can't imagine the surgeon would have left it and not said anything, I asked him directly if he found anything else during the operation and he said he didn't so🤞🏻In my panic last night I've emailed (and offered to send a photo 🤣), I'll have to wait and see what he says!!

Squatty pottys are supposed to be really helpful. I've been using a child's step stool for a while and think it helps. I haven't tried it since the operation as I haven't been that under control with things 😬 but will see if it helps reduce the pain next time.

Only day 4 so I need to be more patient but it feels so much longer. Hair washing will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm trying to work out how to do it without getting shampoo on my bum!

@lollydarling Just go on EBay and put in Sitz bath, it has a little pump thing. Was about £9. Girls you’re both doing so well! Us women are made of strong stuff! @AniseedBall My lump looked like another pile but it’s all going down, and looks a bit like a skin tag now, not sure what is was but it’s getting smaller and smaller every day.

Thanks @Vikki6 that's reassuring to hear. I was coping well with it all but that's completely thrown me. I need to tell myself on repeat 'it's early days'

I definitely need a sitz too otherwise water bill will be massive by the end of all this.

Hey @AniseedBall how you getting on?

Hi @lollydarling not too bad, day 7 now but it's all getting a bit old! Every night I'm mentally ticking off another day done but also dreading the pain of a BM in the morning.

Yesterday I managed to get the painkillers in 20 minutes in advance but nothing was touching the pain of that so it didn't make any difference!! And then I had to go again.... The bleeding has lessened so that's positive.

I heard back about my new lump, apparently it's the tissue in between the incisions swelling and should go down with time. That was a massive relief because it's bigger than either of my haemorrhoids ever were 😬

How are you doing? Are you still taking Movicol? I'm cutting down but with BM being so painful I'm not sure whether it's because I'm not having enough or whether it's just going to be agony regardless!!

@AniseedBall great news about the lump, I have a small very hard lump too but I'm praying it's not a new Hemmie and just where blood has pooled at the op site or something.

I feel your pain about the BM's.. i dread going morning because the pain is still agonising and I'm written off until at least 2pm.. (same as u the pain killers don't touch the sides) at this rate there's no way I'll be back at work on Monday which will be 2weeks since op. Very frustrating because by about 2pm I'm ok for the rest of the day. Minimal pain if any at all!

I'm going to try 1 movicol a day instead of the 2 as I think with my high fibre diet two sachets is too much. Although I'm much better than I was it's still very frustrating being out of action most of the day. Currently laying on the sofa with a warm pack on my bum while my toddler runs wild ☹️ feel so useless

But on a more positive note I am now home (I stayed at my dads for a week post op as I'm a single mum and needed help) so it's nice to be back home x

@Vikki6 how U doing hun? Back to full health I hope xx

@lollydarling @AniseedBall
Hay girls. I’m all good. Everything (even the hard painful lumps) have shrunk. All settling down nicely. Having a BM is ok, Still a bit achy after but settles down with 5 mins. Just itchy itchy itchy!

Must be lovely to be home @lollydarling but I feel for you looking after a toddler. I can't imagine doing that any time soon. I hope you'll have some people to help.

I'm getting to the stage where I'm better later on in the day thankfully but I'm now getting the pressure feeling, like I need a BM but don't 😬 A warm bath seems to help so I'm still on 3 a day! I'm still so tired though, I guess that's the anaesthetic??

What kind of heat pad do you have? I think I need to get one.

@Vikki6 great to hear how well you are doing now and that your lumps have shrunk down some. Hoping that'll be me very soon.

Here's to pain free, lump free bottoms all round!!!

I’ve just had a hard BM which has started off all the bleeding again it’s didn't hurt but must of opened something up. I know mine was an open Haemorrhoidectomy which means they didn’t stitch the wound. Think I may have to start drinking the stool softener again