Hemorrhoidectomy

[Tammynoska]

4-1/2 weeks ago I had an emergency hemorrhoidectomy and sphincter reconstruction, to repair a hemorrhoidectomy done a week prior that went bad, where the running stitch had to be restitched, and scar tissue that formed had to be removed from my sphincter. I'm hoping to hear feedback from people who have completely recovered from a hemorhoidectomy or had one 3 or more months ago, and how long it took for a full recovery? Right now I still have pain when I pass stool, like I am cut and/raw inside and bleed about a thimble-full of blood at the end. I am getting really discouraged how long this is lasting to recover. I have part of my original running stitch on the outside with skin grown over that hasn't dissolved and remains as a tender lump. The worse part is the soreness and bleeding when I have a bm, as I thought by now I would be fully recovered. It's really depressing me. I have to add, though, that I have only been going on the toilet for the last 13 days, as before I could only have a bm in a tub full of water. I have to have 3 100 mg. colace a day, eat a bowl of oatment,and a bowl of raisin bran, even add bran to my supper to keep my stool soft, and all of this stuff is starting to interfere with proper absorption of my thyroid medicine, which is okay for a month, but if this lasts for 2 or 3 months, I will become hypothyroid again. Can anyone tell me how long they bled and/or had pain rectally after their hemorrhoidectomy and/or sphincter repair, and at what length of time did they finally feel normal, painfree, no more bleeding at stools?

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[runninggal]

I had a hemorrhoidectomy (internal and external), a fissurectomy and sphincterotomy in early May. Due to complications, I had to have another surgery 10 days later to do major repairs. I spent 5 days in the hospital and endured post-operative pain that was off-the-charts. I thought I had a high tolerance for pain. I had delivered 3 babies with no pain medication. Without a doubt, the hemorrhoidectomy was the most horrific pain I have ever experienced. My recovery was a rollercoaster ride. I was incontinent (fecal) for the first 2 weeks after surgery, couldn't urinate without being in a tub of warm water and having a BM was a nightmare. I had to do Lamaze breathing just to get through it. Gradually, I was able to urinate out of the tub, but I had to stand up. I thought my life would never go back to normal.
Fast forward 3 months to today... I am no longer in pain. I have a bm without fear and dread. I urinate sitting down. Basically, I have my life back. I went for a 3 month follow-up with my colo-rectal surgeron and I am completely healed.
Don't dispair, Tammy. I have been where you are and now I can look back and it seems like a distant nightmare that keeps getting foggier. You will continue to heal and you will get your life back too.

[Tammynoska]

Runninggal, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time to tell me about your recovery. It was a tremendous relief to read your post---I called my husband out and made him sit and listen while I read aloud your post, because he, too, is having to tough it out with me through this recovery, as my main caretaker.

It was wonderful to hear someone who is now fully recovered after the same kind of horrific surgery as myself. I plan on posting again 2 months from now to let others know of my progress as well, and I hope that you let us know how you are doing 6 months from now, so others who face the same ordeal can have a long-term view of what to expect, not just the first horrific weeks. My bm are starting to improve a bit, but I still have a raw feeling inside and still fight off spells of pressure inside, but I now have renewed hope.

I hope others as yourself also add to this post, to help lift the spirits of those who are in the middle of recovery or about to undergo the same surgery. I've been able to find lots of information online about the surgery, but next to none on personal recovery experiences of others, and those are really the ones I have needed to read.

[runninggal]

Tammy, I am so glad that my post lifted your spirits. I will definately post again at the 6 month mark. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding my experience, or need a little morale boost while you continue to recover, please call on me again.
Sending warm, healing thoughts your way!

[This message has been edited by runninggal (edited 08-09-2003).]

[Tammynoska]

runninggal, this isn't one of my good days, and I could really use some feedback from you on your ups and downs at the 5 weeks stage and on. Your first post really was a super morale lifter, but here I am at the 5 weeks date from my surgery and I never thought I would still be trying to recover at this time. I have improved a lot on the outside, and even inside, but I didn't think that at 5 weeks I still would be sore inside, and after stools, still have a bit of bleeding and feel raw and sore inside. Mind you the level of pain and bleeding is a hell of a lot better now---but I am surprised and depressed that I still have to deal with this after 5 weeks. Do you remember if you were still sore at 5 weeks after having a bowel movement? And did you still bleed a bit, spot some blood after going? If you were sore or bled a bit, when did that stop??? I appreciate your feedback---it really helps to lift my spirits, especially when my recovery seems so damn slow. I was supposed to follow up with my surgeon today, but I cancelled as I didn't want him probing me now, and hurting me, as I don't feel ready to be examined inside.