I just had my first hemorroid surgery 5 days ago on March 2nd, 2010 after delaying it for a yea. I would like to share my experience and provide my own advice on post surgery recovery. No one whom I have consulted really prepared me for the pain that I had experienced the first 4 days after surgery. I really had no idea how painful post recovery is - I am still dealing with the pain especially during my daily bowel movement but has gotten better at it now.
I had done my research online and found that I wanted the deep freezing method since it appears to be the least painful. I had deep freezing done some 20 years ago on my cervical cancer and it went well and was not at all painful, so I assume that it would be the same as well.
When I consulted with a doctor at the hospital, she informed me that they do not do any method except cauterization, which involves cutting ofF of the hemorroids. She did not give me any other information either since she was a junior doctor, but was able to fit me in for surgery because of my need flying outside Singapore back to work in Beijing. Then I was sent to another room to talk with an anesthetists who asked me about my teeth. Apparently I will be given a general for the surgery and they will be putting a tube into my mouth and throat and wants to ensure that the teeth (if false etc will not fall off).
My operation was done as a day surgery where I went in at 0900 hours. Instructions was not to eat nor drink nothing 12 hours before 0900 hours. Upon arrival, I was registered in, and taken to my recovery bed where I was asked to change into my patient's gown and asked to relief myself. Half an hour later, I was lying on my bed where I was taken to the section outside the surgery room where the anesthetists insisted a needle into my left hand. He informed me that they will feed some anesthesia thorough the tubing and gradually I became sleepy. I felt my bed being rolled into the surgery room and the nurses scooted me onto the surgical table and I dont remember anything thereafter.
I awoke about an hour or so later. There was only a slight pain at first and I found I could not sit on my bottom. I did not feel any dizziness even though my blood pressure was low. My sister went to the pharmacy to get my medicine for me. The hospital kept me there for about 3 hours because my pressure did not rise to an acceptable level until the last testing.
There was much medication given to me including antibiotics (Metronidazole Tablets 200mg), pain & de-swelling medication (naproxen tablets 275 mg), stomach protection medication (Omeprazole capsules 20mg), painkillers (parectomol 500 mh, codeine 8mg tablets), blood circulation tablets (diosmin 450mg & hersperidin tablets 50 mg), and a packet of Fybogel Orange Natural Fibre Drink.
Anyone, I had never expected and no one prepared me for one of the most painful experiences in my life (2nd,3rd,4th and part of 5th day)- more painful than giving birth to my daughter. It is now better and I just wanted to share my experiences with those of you out there who will be having the surgery on the below.
SUGGESTION FOR POST SURGERY RECOVERY:
1. Eat pureed vegetables and fruits to get the nutrition you need. During the first week or two, better not eat any meat (unless you cook and puree it, especially NOT any fish or seafood). When you eat high fibre food, and you have to do your business, it will be discharged less painfully. I learnt this the hard way. Prior to this, I had to sit in the toilette for 40 minutes because it would discharged painfully in little bits, and the discharge came in bursts (like during labor in childbirth - yes that's similar to the feeling of labor). Now, it all just come out swiftly and less painfully.
2. Make sure to apply lidocaine cream on the rectal area before every bowel movement. My doctor prescribed a tube and this helps numbs the rectal area so that when you do it, it is less painful. A tube lasted me only 2 days, so I asked for 6 tubes prescription.
3. Never clean your bottom with any toilette paper when done. Instead stand in the bathtub, and wash it using warm water from the showerhead. If you find bits of feces, use toilette paper to pick it up and discard then into the toilette bowl. The warm water soothes the bottom rather quickly. Make sure you you do not turn it to a high jet spray, or it will hurt. Adjust it to where the water can comfortably massage and wash the area at the same time.
4. Before surgery, go and buy lots of fresh Aloe Vera leave (thick ones). Cut the skin off and cut the translucent flesh into pieces and juice it. Make about a week's or several days worth. A can size will last you maybe 3 days. Store this in the refrigerator.
5. Bring the Aloe Vera juice with you when doing bowel movement. After washing your bottom, pour a handful onto the palm of your hand and apply it to the sore rectal area. If you like, use cotton wool to dip and soak it and apply it. You will feel soothing right away.
6. I bled lots during the first 4 days, and I wear a mentral pad on my undergarment. Male patients may consider this option. There really is nothing to be embarrased about. It will soak through your undergarment if you dont. Buy those mentral pad that are thick and cushiony for comfort.
7. For most of my food now, I eat Campbell Cream of Mushroom soup, bread, drink lots of Gatarade and the like, and the medicine the doctor have prescibed. Hope all these helps mentally prepare you for the (lesser) pain to come.
8. Oh, do not forget to get an air doughnut to sit on - it will lessen the pain as well.
9. You will not be able to travel long distances (>2 hours sitting on your bottom because of the pain) and going to the toilette out of the comfort of your home will be a nightmare, I can assure you. So consider re-scheduling any long journey travelling (via car, taxi, bus, plane) as I had to on my flight. If recovering correctly, it might take you 10-14 days, if not I have heard it can take you several weeks. Thank God mine is getting better after the 5th day, though I reschedule my flight from one week to two weeks out.
Believe me, you want a total recovery because a non complete rectal pain is really a pain in the A** !!!!
I am looking forward to my less painful speedy recovery every day now. Because it is less painful now, I am glad I had the surgery done - but that was not what I was thinking when I was sitting in the john doing those painful bowel movements.
Anyway, good luck and good health to you all
NH
Singapore, Singapore <!-- end contentindexer -->