Day 2.

Today I maintained a schedule of Ibuprofen ~6 hours with a valium every 8.  My pain level today again was a 2-3.  I was able to urinate throughout the day with no problems.  I ate soup, crackers, ice tea, fruit, and a few small brownie bites.  I took sitz baths throughout the day and in the evening was able to pass the gauze packed into my anal canal with minimal pain.  I would say the pain for that procedure was a 3-4 but by taking my time, not pushing, and maintaining a meditative breathing pattern, it was much less painful than I expected.  Along with the gauze I pooped a small amount, which was heartening as I was worried about constipation.    There was some blood on the toilet paper (which I used to 'pad' not 'wipe'), which is to be expected, but it was not a lot.

It is very important that you try your best to maintain your drinking, fiber supplements, fruit and fiber intake, etc.  From all I've read you do not want to bulk up for a few days and have to push a large BM out.  I am hoping that this small BM means that things are starting to work correctly.  That being said, I have read a few stories saying it could take a few days before a BM.

Immediately after the BM, I took a nice long sitz bath, repacked the surgical area with lidocaine and gauze, and went to sleep.

Throughout the day, the pain level was about a 2, maintained with Ibuprofen, meditation/sleep, and sitting in a comfortable position.  My wife bought me a hemorrhoid pillow, which does help in certain sitting situations.