Coping With Hemorrhoidectomy

I also had PPH, in June of 2004, so my heart goes out to you as you struggle with the pain. It is true that it is definitely not pain free. Both my surgeon and many websites have touted the procedure as simple and painless.

Certainly, the pain is less and shorter term than with the regular hemorrhoidectomy, but I was not able to return to work in three days, as quoted to me before the surgery. I went back in five but experienced tightness in my rectum for weeks. My sphincters have remained tighter than before overall.

The surgery did reduce the frequency of thrombosed external hemorrhoids, but it was not a miracle fix. Taking Metamucil several times per day was helpful, and I continued that for about a year. I also had to avoid nonfibrous foods like bagels, breads, pasta, etc. and eat mainly from the three other food groups. The pain does subside, and the sphincters relax some, but it took about six months until I felt completely normal.

Drink lots of water, eat lots of fiber, and get plenty of rest. Take your time, and take one day at a time. I believe my surgeon gave me a muscle relaxer a couple of weeks after the surgery to descrease the tightness. I will hope however I can which advice and such.

Also, if anyone out there has advice, I am facing a fissurectomy and sphincterotomy. This is not necessarily as a result of the PPH but is exacerbated by the increased pressure in the anal canal. Anyway, if any of you has input on this, please write. My surgeon proposes an open sphincterotomy along with the removal of the fissure and associated papillae.