Sept 10 2013
It's been over 1 year since my surgery and I thought I'd provide an update.
I've had absolutely no issues since recovering last year. I feel great and I am so glad that I did the surgery. It was completely life changing for the better.
Since last year, I've competed in 2 triathlons, did a 100K charity bike ride, ran in a 10 miler, and am doing a half-marathon in November. There is no way I could have done any of this without the surgery.
I've had no pain, no issues, and have made a full recovery.
I've heard people say that this is the worse kind of surgery to have, and I believe it. But my experience, having come through it is very positive.
I hope anyone that is having this surgery will read this and feel a little better about the prospects post-surgery. I wish you a quick and speedy recovery!!
Please post your story in the comments so that others may also learn from your experience.
Great to hear this, I am on day 4 of recovery, and my biggest issue is the painful bowel movements, are you able to tell me how long this lasts? How many weeks did it take for a full recovery? Any diet tips? When did you return to normal meals, and wean yourself off of stool softeners? Great to hear you are doing so well! These posts cheer me up daily!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for creating this blog. I'm having my surgery on Oct 16. Same story, both internal external, bowl full of blood, cleanup after going to the bathroom. I've seen the horror stories also but this blog has been the most informative.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the day where I don't have to spend half my thought cycles thinking about my own ass, where/when will I have access to a toilet, will it be private, will I be able to clean up without anyone seeing, etc. Those thoughts and this blog have what have been keeping my courage up.
Your story about doing triathlons is encouraging to me. I think my hemorrhoids have given me iron deficiency anemia which saps energy. Even though I work out more than I have in my life, I have very slow progress. Iron tablets help with the light headedness, but I feel far from the athlete I used to be. I'm looking forward to that as well. Do you mind if I ask how old are you (I'm 38) and what kind of physical conditioning were you in before your surgery?
thanks for your detailed account of your experience.
ReplyDeleteI am 2 days since surgery and didn't do a lot of research beforehand since most of what I had heard anecdotally would have made me cancel the surgery. My surgery removed several internal hemorrhoids, an external hemorrhoid as well as repaired a rectal prolapse.
doctor insisted on prescribing pain meds but I know from prior experience that I am allergic to Percocet as well as all of the other synthetic narcotics. So fqr I have only taken a few low dose ibuprofen since the high dose (800mg) would severely limit my ability to urinate. As it is, I only urinated once before leaving the hospital and then nothing for 24 hours. Now I am only taking 200mg ibuprofen per 24 hours.
my early experiences with eliminating was limited to extreme gas which propelled a little loose stool, blood and mucous. Embarrassing to admit but I have been using my wifes panty liners to keep matters under control. This morning, 48 hours after surgery I had my first real movement. Despite taking huge volume of water, powdered fiber and milk of mag the movement was pretty solid. I would call that pain an 8-9 like passing barbed wire. I decided to take gentle walk on the treadmill and that was motivating enough to need to eliminate more. This time an extensive amount also fairly solid but the pain during elimination was only a 5.
I am going to ask my surgeon if I can use topical lidocaine. If yes, I think that the pain will be even more manageable.
my surgeon told me that even his most macho patients have needed the strongest pain meds but thankfully I've been able to avoid everything except ibuprofen.
thanks again for repurposing.
My doctor prescribed lidocaine. I have been using it with good results. I'm 7 days out of surgery and have to say, while annoying and painful, recovery has been good so far. These blogs are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI'm on day ten. The worse was the 2nd and 3rd day, cause the first day I guess the iv drugs were still in my system. I tell ya what, I feel so much better. I'm a 32 year old man, can bench 300 lbs and I'm a big ole puss lol I took my pain meds, and alot of sitz baths. But it was alright. Having the first bm's were insane, but just eat light days before surgery packed high in fiber you will be fine. Get this surgery done! No more pain and walk n funny with a dirty smelly 🐽 ass cause your stuck at work for 12 hours. Men let me remind you it effects your penis too. It hurt my marriage 💑 but day 10 and I'm like my 20 year old self again. Its still uncomfortable during poops but I'm clean and no pain, I quit my meds on day 4, yall guys and women get this done, get your life back
ReplyDeleteMatt,
DeleteHow are you doing now? I'm considering getting this done; I'm a 29 year old male. I've got a wife and two kids, and I've dealt with these since my early 20's....EVERYTHING you've mentioned!
Thanks!
This story also helped me pre-op, as I had only read awful horror stories. I had the surgery because my doc thought I might have a polyp, not a hemorrhoid, and she wanted to be sure and to have it tested. I feel very lucky, and grateful, as my experience was even better than Joe's! I had lots of pain with bowel movements, but other than that just slight soreness. I had surgery on Wed. and went back to work on Monday (I just made sure I worked it so bms were before I left so I could shower.). I alternated between ibuprofen and Tylenol for about a week, with a stool softener every day, but no narcotics. At the post-op appointment my surgeon said she injected LOTS of local anesthesia to the area, and that it's not known why, but some people respond really well to this (it lasts a few days) and for others it just doesn't work. I figure I was one of the lucky ones. Anyway, at 2 weeks I still have slight pain when I go to the bathroom, and some irritation/itching at the surgical sight, but I feel great.
ReplyDelete