Rafaelo Procedure haemorrhoids

[Tanni370000]

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!

LovelyDayz how is your friend? Having thought about it I don’t believe what the consultant said because I have never had problems before the procedure even with chronic constipation and I don’t leak now. I feel I am being fobbed off and being told the procedure worked is of no comfort. I am still experiencing burning after a BM and have emailed the consultant yet again to tell him I am not happy. Like so many people I wish I had never had it done and the thought that this is my life now is so awful when I think how happy I was before this procedure & I wish I had just done OTC piles meds.
if your friend wants to contact me I will be pleased to chat. I am thinking of contacting patient liaison they will always back their staff but at least they would know people like us are suffering long after the stated time.

@Bonny1234 She's in another part of the country at the moment because she's sadly losing a parent so she's got a lot on her plate. I know she's still in pain, I think it must be almost a year since she had it done now. I will make her aware of you and this thread when she's back and under less pressure. I'm sorry you're going through this, it's not fair on any of you.

LovelyDayz Oh poor thing coping with losing a parent while in such pain I really feel for her. I have an appointment at The Pain Clinic on Thursday I don’t hold out much hope but maybe I will get some pain relief. I will let you know.

I got a reply from my surgeon today about my complaint and he just said he told me there’s a 95% success rate but I don’t believe him… tempting to round up all the people who are suffering and sue them for this procedure which needs to be stopped

Hi yes I agree it’s all very well they say 95% success rate but what do they class as success? The operation might have gone ok but the lasting pain/ incontinence etc is certainly not a success. I think they are relying on patients just accepting their pain as taking on the medical profession is an uphill battle. I’m wondering how we can find all the other sufferers maybe fb? The more people we can find the better and then we can plan our campaign maybe approach Rafaelo themselves although they will just quote success rates so maybe the GMC or a programme like This Morning? What do you think?

Yes this is a good idea. Feeling like we deserve some sort of compensation for the suffering we have to go through every day now due to surgeon negligence and the false information out there on this procedure. Are you a member of the haemorrhoid sufferers on FB? Be interesting how many people come forward who have had Rafaelo

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to share my own rafaelo experience with you since I’ve been reading all of the people’s experiences here before the operation, I thought it would be good to share some other experiences. I’m 38 yo male, with 26 BMI and 3 internal haemorrhoids, 2 x grade 3 and 1 grade two. No prolapsed.

I had my rafaelo procedure at The Private Clinic in Birmingham by Mr Amit Patel on the 13th of Feb. So, today is the second day after the procedure. My haemorrhoids have been bleeding for the last 8 weeks every time during a bowel movement. My operation took around 20 mins, it was bearable with no significant pain. Due to all the negative experiences shared here, I was really anxious and expected a bit more painful procedure. After the operation, I have some discomfort in the area but I managed it with paracetamol only. I didn’t use the painkillers given after the procedure. The first night my post-operative pain was around 3/10. Apart from paracetamol, I took antibiotics and laxatives. The next morning, I had my first BM, and it was pretty easy, there was very mild bleeding in comparison with before the procedure. This morning I had second BM, with no pain and no bleeding at all. I’ll be resting for the rest of the week and observing myself.

I was almost gonna give up after I read some of the negative experiences here, but I`m glad I did give it a go.
I hope everything goes smoothly for the rest of the week as well.

Hi it’s good to hear from other people who have had the procedure. I don’t want to be negative and really hope you have a good recovery but I sailed through the procedure didn’t take any pain killers and my pain after a BM started about 4 weeks after the procedure and now 8 months on I still get burning after a BM . I am going to the Pain Management Clinic at a local hospital and praying they can help. Please let us know how you go on.

Hi so the pain clinic were very thorough but no examination but they said it is likely the nerves in my anus were damaged during surgery which is causing the burning after I clean myself. They suggested Vagisil which has 2% Lidocaine so I have tried it and it helps but my whole vulva area is on fire which started after a BM weeks ago and is not due to the Vagisil. As far as the excruciating pain round my ribs and back I am being referred to a consultant as there is a thing called floating rib syndrome which has only recently been recognised. It can happen after a fall or following trauma which an operation is classed as.
So I am not much further forward as it could be months before I see the consultant. I am incredibly weak and really down as my life is pretty rubbish like us all suffering daily pain. I just try and be optimistic and tell myself it will get better.
I have emailed the surgeon telling him how unhappy I am and and that another lady he operated on is suffering along with others at different hospitals. I don’t think anything will come of it as he says I have healed which is all very well but it’s the side effects that need addressing so we can get our quality of life back.
How is everyone else doing?

Hi Bonny, I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through. I hope you recover soon. Today is my fifth day post-operation, and I experienced some bleeding for the first time during BM, but no pain or discomfort. It is siad that the bleeding may be related to the fibrosis process around the tissue, and it's a good sign that the hemorrhoids are shrinking. It is a very sensitive area with loads of nerves, and the surgeon really matters whether or not the operation will be a success. This is absolutely not a walk-in walk-out process, but still the best available option in terms of post-operative pain, I believe. Besides that, I'm still resting and monitoring myself.

Nestor84 I’m so glad you are recovering well and hope it continues . My surgeon is a well known colorectal surgeon and I went privately to avoid waiting but another lady who had the same surgeon is suffering pain and faecal incontinence so I do question his expertise with this procedure and am waiting to see if more people come forward before deciding what to do. It was certainly sold as a quick and easy operation with no after effects which definitely needs stopping as it clearly isn’t . Good luck with your recovery.

@Bonny1234 It will be interesting to see what your consultant comes back with, do let us know.

Will do!

Hi Everybody after emailing Rafaelo I have an email from Adam Rubéns the CEO! As it is usually impossible to contact a CEO it shows they are taking complaints seriously. He wants to speak to me but I have to go out so it will be this afternoon and I will let you know what he says. In the meantime do you think fb is the best platform to contact anyone who is suffering after the procedure to come forward so we can get an idea if numbers?

Hi LovelyDayz how is your friend doing? I know she has a lot to cope with at the moment but maybe you could tell her the CEO of Modern Aesthetic Solutions who own the Rafaelo procedure has contacted me and I will be speaking to him this afternoon and will let you know what he says.

@Bonny1234 Wow, that's a result! Do you think this is because your surgeon has got involved? Or have you not heard back from him yet?

I haven’t heard from the surgeon but his Secretary says she has passed my email to him. This is a result of me emailing Modern Aesthetic Solutions who own the Rafaelo procedure telling them how I and many others are suffering awful side effects myself 8 months post op. I also told them there was a growing move to take our complaints further. I expect the CEO will say it is up to us to take it up with the surgeons concerned but as they publicise the procedure as a wonder cure they are responsible as I see it.
I will let you know how it goes!

So the CEO was very good we spoke for nearly an hour and he seemed genuinely concerned. He of course quoted the success rate but I said that doesn’t help people like me. He did express concern that my surgeon had operated on the one other lady who is having pain. He said the Raphaelo is designed not to go below the line where there are nerves so it is possible the surgeon has gone past it or my body is just extra sensitive.
He would like me to go for a second opinion but the nearest Raphaelo consultant is Manchester would cost me £200 plus fuel and I’m just not up to the drive from Thirsk at the moment although I may see if I can get a lift. To go there to be told everything is ok would be a waste of time but just maybe this surgeon could offer a solution who knows?
I am seeing my GP on Friday to see what she says. If it means a nerve block in my ganglion impar which is where the nerve path is to your anus I would give it a try- more pain and expense but if it stopped the pain it would be worth it. Like everyone else I just want to be pain free and get my life back.
The surgeon is apparently going to see me but I really don’t see the point of another two hour round trip to be told everything is ok when clearly it is not!
I am certainly not giving up and when I have seen my GP I will post again. In the meantime it would be really good if anyone suffering after Raphaelo emails [email protected] for the attention of Adam Rubéns CEO.

Hey guys had to share just in case this helps anyone else. I did a food allergy test and found out I’m intolerant to wheat / gluten. Since cutting this out I have had no
problems with BM and the fissures and hemmeroids have healed. I have found articles there is a link with certain foods like wheat or dairy that can lead to problems like hemmeroids. So it might be worth reviewing your diet to see if it helps at all :)
Still strongly disagree with Rafaelo treatment, this only made things worse but there is hope you can heal up without surgery!

Tanni370000 so pleased for you things are looking up! That’s interesting about gluten I’m being treated by a Homeopath for my gut but will look into tests did you have them done NH or Private? I haven’t heard from the surgeon he is obviously hoping I disappear. I am going for a nerve block to try and stop the pain in my bottom it is costly and hurts like hell but worth a try. I am still getting pain in my side and back but hoping if the pain in my bottom stops it may make that ease as I’m convinced they are linked as it started soon after my procedure.

I agree the Rafaelo should not be sold as being simple and with a short recovery time and will continue to put people off it as all concerned are just making a fortune at our expense but it is so difficult to prove the procedure is responsible for our pain.

Good luck with you our recovery!

I went private used a company called York Test. Thanks Bonny good luck with your recovery too, keep us updated hope to hear more positive news soon!

Thank you. I’m seeing the surgeon again next week the pain after BM has got worse so I can hardly sit down. I have tried Vagisil which doesn’t help and medical grade manukau honey I am going to try Super salve which has good reviews. Any recommendations welcome.
Lovely Dayz how is your friend? I know she is coping with a lot but as she had the same surgeon I would be interested to know before I see him next week.

Hi @Bonny1234 I've just seen your update. Please let us know how you get on. I really think it's brilliant that you are speaking up about the reality of this treatment versus what they advertise it as. Absolutely shocking how some of you have been treated.

Hi NewHopeNow thanks for your good wishes I wish there was an easy way to find more people suffering after Rafaelo as large numbers would be good for taking it further. I have thought about contacting This Morning or Jeremy Vine but need a lot more evidence.
I am seeing the surgeon on the 13th and having a nerve block on the 17th which is expensive and very painful but if it stops the pain it will be worth it. I have also booked too see a Neurologist privately in April which is the first available appointment and if the nerve block doesn’t work hopefully he can help.
I will keep you posted.

Hi @Bonny1234 I've been thinking about you today and hoping your meeting went well. How did it go?