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Original poster

Rafaelo Procedure haemorrhoids

118 replies

Tanni370000 · 06/08/2022 10:00

I had the Rafaelo procedure on Monday to remove 3 haemorrhoids. From the reviews online I read this shouldn’t be too painful but I am in agony with it. Every bowl movement is torture, even when taking two laxatives. Has anyone experienced this? When did you feel better again? TIA!

OP posts:
Bonny1234 · 12/09/2022 14:27

I had the procedure 11th July I have had intense pain on & off ever since not just after BM. I had a follow up & the consultant said I had 2 small areas that need to heal. He gave me some cream which doesn’t help. I am meant to be going away next week for the first time in 2 years and dreading the pain. I wish I had never had it done. The 2:/3 weeks discomfort they tell you is now10 weeks of burning in my rectum. I think their summary making it sound like nothing and you go back to normal straight away are misleading bordering on misrepresentation. I have had 2 years of ill health numerous hospital visits and procedures and was just getting better now this has totally put me back to square one with pain and anxiety. I am waiting to see the consultant in Wednesday. Anyone considering this procedure I would think twice.

MsMelody · 21/09/2022 15:38

@Tanni370000 and @Bonny1234 , how are thing going for you now? I had a THD/Halo operation recently which hasn’t worked (and in fact made things worse). I’m cautiously looking into the Rafaelo procedure, but like the THD it seems that the reality is often different from their promotional material.

Bonny1234 · 21/09/2022 18:21

My GP examined me and said I don’t have a fissure just two red areas which need to heal and she has given me antibiotic cream. There has been a slight improvement at last but I have been constipated for some reason maybe because I am tense anticipating pain so I am taking Movicol twice a day plus Fybojel to try and help prevent the constipation. I suppose it is just the luck of the draw some people will have a quick recovery but I do feel it shouldn’t be sugar coated. Good luck!

Original poster
Tanni370000 · 21/09/2022 18:36

7 weeks post op and I’d say the pain is now manageable but still very sore with BM. Waiting to see the surgeon for another checkup in couple weeks he said allow up to 8 weeks for healing, but I think it will take longer than that to feel normal! Pretty sure I had a thrombosed hemmoroid last week so don’t think the op has actually worked for me.. Sorry wish I had better feedback for you! Bonny I am 3 weeks behind you do I’m hopeful in a few weeks I’ll start to feel better 😊

OP posts:
Bonny1234 · 21/09/2022 21:12

Hopefully we will both feel better soon but it is obviously misleading to suggest you are back to normal after 2/3 weeks!

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 09:10

Sorry that you’ve both had longer recoveries. I also feel I wasn’t properly informed of the potential risks and the recovery period for the THD procedure. I wish I’d never gone ahead with the THD as the pain now is much worse now than it was before.

Bonny1234 · 22/09/2022 09:31

I feel for you it’s so tiring being in pain all the time I wish I had just put up with the piles but you are told this procedure is straight forward and you believe the experts. I definitely feel there should be more publicity to let people know the downside.

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 14:34

Sorry to hear everyone’s negative experiences. How bad were your piles before you went ahead with either THD or Rafaelo procedure?
I am asking as am currently having a flare up that’s lasted about 6 weeks…I think it’s gradually improving thankfully and am hoping it all calms down again.
I have been looking into different treatments, some of them make it sound like you could be back in the gym the following day!
Really appreciated some honest reviews.
I hope you all feel a lot more comfortable very soon x

Bonny1234 · 22/09/2022 16:23

If you can cope without a procedure I strongly advise you to do it and explore OTC remedies. I wish I had waited to see if I could manage without the procedure as it has sparked off health anxiety which I had just got a hold on and now I am having to contemplate a nerve block which is excruciating and costly to stop the pain in my side caused by the anxiety of the pain in my rectum. I would literally give ANYTHING for a day without pain.

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 17:48

@Bonny1234. That sounds horrendous, I feel very sorry for you. I really think there should be a much better solution to deal with an issue that seems to be so common.
I am managing with otc treatments, it’s just difficult to ascertain what does or doesn’t work and there are so many warnings about not using creams etc for more than 7 days.
I actually think mine are better since I stopped using creams and things and just been putting on a natural balm called yarrow.

Bonny1234 · 22/09/2022 19:35

I really wish I had tried more OTC remedies. I think the natural remedies are often much better than a load of chemicals and hope they prevent you having to go through all this post op pain.🤞

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 19:40

@bottomwoes I had grade 3 prolapsing piles. It started during two pregnancies and then I didn’t look after myself well enough when the kids were young - not drinking enough water, heavy lifting (toddlers) etc. Following the THD I’ve still got grade 3 prolapsing piles, but the piles are much more painful. I’ve also got a brand new external pile (which is just great!)

My advice would be to only go for the surgery if you feel the piles are having a significant impact on your quality of life. And be aware it’s a bit of a gamble. I’m sure loads of people have successful surgery, but there are plenty out there on internet forums who haven’t. I deliberately didn’t Google beforehand thinking I’d just scare myself - now I’ve turned out to be one of the unlucky ones.

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 19:42

@Bonny1234 , thank you. If you don’t mind me asking, what led to you having the procedure? What did you try beforehand?
It is the unpredictability I hate, when a lovely day or evening is ruined because you feel uncomfortable and sore. X

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 19:47

I went for a colonoscopy to check there was nothing else going on, and when I got the results back the consultant said he would put me on the waiting list for a THD. I was in two minds but by the time the date came round the prolapse had got worse so I decided to go ahead. I’d tried the prescription creams etc beforehand. Looking back I wish I’d drunk a lot more water and less tea, and been generally more careful not to get to that state. Also I wonder if pelvic floor physio may have helped.

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 19:51

@MsMelody I think I’m the same as you… a couple of prolapsed piles. Had them years since kids….funnily enough they’ve really kicked off this summer after I decided to do a week of anusol hc cream and suppositories to try and deal with them. Previously I only sporadically used some cream or another.
I am sorry you’re going through this, it’s been enlightening to hear your stories…I will definitely try to manage them better and hope they stay on a bit of a level.
Absolutely hideous things x

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 19:54

@MsMelody i did a course of proctosedyl, I don’t think it did that much. As I said in a previous post, I feel like they are better with the natural stuff.
sorry you’re suffering so much ☹️

MarpleFan · 22/09/2022 19:56

For those of you looking for OTC recommendations, I highly recommend the oil from here.

www.amoils.com/products/hemorrhoids

I was due to have an op and thought I would give this a go before taking the plunge and thank god I did! Sorted the pain out in about a week, and I now rarely have a flare up - godsend, for me anyway.

Qwerkie · 22/09/2022 19:57

I didn’t have that procedure but I did have haemorrhoids removed under general anaesthetic. I’ve no idea if you’ve tried it but the things that made it bearable for me were a sitz bath and instillagel used just before a BM. Worst pain I’ve ever had

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 19:58

They really are evil! I hope yours calm down soon x

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 20:01

@Qwerkie what were yours like beforehand if you don’t mind me asking? And have you had issues since the op or did it sort things out?

MsMelody · 22/09/2022 20:13

@MarpleFan I’d seen that advertised and been sceptical, but if helped you avoid surgery it sounds worth a try!

MarpleFan · 22/09/2022 20:33

@MsMelody I was pretty sceptical myself but thought I’d give it a go. Used it daily for a couple of months at the start of 2021, and have barely had to use it again. Maybe a coincidence, but after 6 months of agony going to the loo, it all stopped for me within a week or so if using it.

bottomwoes · 22/09/2022 21:14

@MarpleFan thanks for the tip.. I always wonder about these lotions and whether they are a gimmick. I have about 8 different creams in my bathroom!
May I ask…. Did you have internal or external piles? X

MarpleFan · 22/09/2022 21:27

@bottomwoes both. I have a slight skin tag now and am quite tempted to try their oil for that which has some good reviews too.

Bonny1234 · 29/09/2022 13:15

I am still in pain nearly 10 weeks after the procedure not just after BM it is totally ruining my life I am so down and it has given me terrible anxiety which was really improving prior to this procedure. The anxiety gives me excruciating pain in my side so I am in constant pain every day and can barely function. I am going to see a pain specialist with a view to getting a nerve block to hopefully take the pain off and let me have a better quality of life. I wish so much I had never had this procedure it’s all very well being told my pain is rare when it is every day not just intermittent. I am trying instillagel to see if it helps and am waiting for an appointment with a psychotherapist to help with health anxiety. Any suggestions to make life more bearable would be welcome.