Recovery from Hemorrhoids Surgery
Hemorrhoid surgery is the surgical removal of hemorrhoids and excess tissue around the hemorrhoid, and sometimes becomes necessary when you are suffering from extensive or severe hemorrhoids which have either been neglected or have not responded to non surgical treatment. It is not usual to perform surgery on mild to moderate hemorrhoids unless there is very persistent bleeding which cannot be cleared up with any other method.
Before undertaking hemorrhoid surgery, you should ask your doctor all about the procedure he recommends, how it will work, whether all of your hemorrhoids will be removed, how long the recovery from hemorrhoids surgery takes, what pain you can expect and most importantly what the risk of complications are following hemorrhoids surgery.
A hemorrhoidectomy is usually the last option and only used if all other treatment options have failed. It can be done as either an outpatient or inpatient procedure and requires anesthesia. You will of course be monitored carefully both during and after the surgery and you will not be allowed to go home until the medical staff is satisfied that there are no complications following the surgery. Once you have been driven home, you need to carry on with home care to ensure your hemorrhoids surgery recovery.
After care for recovery from hemorrhoids surgery
As with many surgical procedures, pain and discomfort are common after hemorrhoids surgery.
Medications for pain relief will be prescribed and you should take these regularly during the recovery period. The degree of pain felt varies from person to person.
Stool softeners and/or bulk laxatives will also be prescribed to make it easy to pass a bowel movement. Please avoid any straining during these bowel movements and keep sitting on the toilet to the minimum
Make sure you drink plenty of liquids along with these medications.
Some relief from pain and discomfort can be gained by sitting in a bath or bowl of warm water several times per day for about 15 minutes. This also keeps the area clean.
Ice packs can also be helpful in relieving pain, swelling and discomfort. Apply regularly to the anal area.
Do not undergo any strenuous activity while you are recovering and get someone else to drive if you need to go out in a car.
If you have not already done so, now is the time to change to a high bulk diet with plenty of fruit and vegetable, bran and whole wheat products.
Remember to keep any follow up appointments with your doctor after the surgery.
There are risks with hemorrhoids surgery and you should watch out for abnormal signs and symptoms during that time when you are recovering from hemorrhoids.
Such risks include:
Bleeding from the anal area.
Collection of blood in the surgical area (hematoma).
Inability to control the bowel or bladder (incontinence).
Infection of the surgical area.
Stool trapped in the anal can (fecal impaction).
Narrowing (stenosis) of the anal canal.
Recurrence of hemorrhoids.
An abnormal passage (fistula) that forms between the anal or rectal canal and another area.
Rectal prolapse, which happens when the rectal lining slips out of the anal opening.
As you are bound to realize, the success of your hemorrhoids surgery is mostly dependent on you and your ability to make those changes in your daily diet so that your daily bowel movements become easier, regular and without straining. Only then can you be sure that your chances are high that the hemorrhoids will not return and that your hemorrhoids surgery and your recovery from hemorrhoids are complete.
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