I had my surgery yesterday. When I first awoke from the surgery, the area was numb and I think it was the first time in a decade that I had no hemorrhoid pain. By evening the pain from the surgery was in full swing–but not as bad as I feared.

Today, the pain is not as bad as the horror stories led me to believe. I’m able to sit,gingerly, stand, walk normally. I haven’t been able to take the pain meds due to nausea, but the pain is not awful. I was told to do three sitz baths per day, which I thought would burn–but they actually sooth the pain instead. To me the pain is a constant, nagging, burning sensation. It’s not nearly as bad as labor pain or kidney stone pain. After my first sitz bath, I tried to crank myself around so I could see the area with a hand mirror. I have some external stitches which account for the prickly, sticking sensaton, but, overall, I’m very satisfied with my new, normal-looking bottom!

In addition to the pain meds, the doctor prescribed a anal hydrocortisone cream and a stool softener. I have passed gas with little to no pain at all. I haven’t had a bowel movement yet, and I’m dreading it.