Disclaimer/Warning
This page is to inform and help fellow suffers by taking you with me on my journey to a haemorrhoidectomy. I will post everything that I go through during this. You can then hopefully be better informed when deciding what you might wish to do.
I am not a medical professional. This is about my experience as a sufferer from Haemorrhoids through my life and the treatments I have had. My aim is purely to inform those who live with this and often suffer in silence, to understand what can be done, how it feels, what the results were, and maybe decide on their own course of action. This is an embarrassing subject to discuss with others... Even with a doctor!
I will tell it like it is in my own words. This is necessary for realism. If faint hearted, please don't read. But if you're considering some kind of treatment, this may help. I may include images from other websites if necessary to clarify.
NB: All hyperlinks open in a new window
I am not a medical professional. This is about my experience as a sufferer from Haemorrhoids through my life and the treatments I have had. My aim is purely to inform those who live with this and often suffer in silence, to understand what can be done, how it feels, what the results were, and maybe decide on their own course of action. This is an embarrassing subject to discuss with others... Even with a doctor!
I will tell it like it is in my own words. This is necessary for realism. If faint hearted, please don't read. But if you're considering some kind of treatment, this may help. I may include images from other websites if necessary to clarify.
NB: All hyperlinks open in a new window
Bio
Hi, I am a 68yo male (2024) who has suffered haemorrhoids for about 40 years.
Probably my fault for eating mostly 'nice' things in my teens and twenties without too much concern for fibre etc. Constipation and straining was the norm for most visits to the loo. The effort to pass a load was considerable on occasion! All this has an effect over time and tends to lead to haemorrhoids. However, until the last decade or so, the 'inconvenience' tended to be just during going to the loo and a few minutes afterwards, before they settled for the day. The last decade has seen them worsen. They 'drop' while having a poo and need to be gently pushed back. Did you know you can push them back? More recently, they can drop during the day while I'm doing normal things.
My general health and fitness is good, however my state of general health, and yours, probably has little bearing on treatments available since everything that goes in must come out, so the treatments I discuss concern only the exit, common to all of us.
On a good day, when they remain well behaved and 'inside', I can walk up to around12 miles, cycle, and go to the gym twice per week. I do NOT conform to 'healthy eating'. I eat healthy foods! Red meat for immunity to viruses, real butter, whole milk, full fat cheese, eggs, salt (not table salt), spuds, veg, curries, pizzas, chilli, oven chips, spag bol, rice, KFC, seeded batch wholemeal bread etc. Not McD...! All these foods are processed easily by our bodies and enjoy a 'easy passage' - well greased as nature intended for several centuries.
Aside: they tell us cholesterol is bad, it clogs up arteries. What they do not tell us, is cholesterol only clogs arteries while repairing damage to cells in the walls. Why is cholesterol repairing the damage? Because you have a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is the first mineral used, if not available, cholesterol comes along but with consequences. I take a magnesium supplement only once every 4 days, I take a zinc supplement (against viruses) also every 4 days.. on a different day. I very rarely get any illness. (Not medically qualified but did study human biology at UNI.) Cholesterol is essential for our brains. Statins cause diabetes as stated at a UKBIOBANK AGM by its head. However, he would not release a study to the media which confirmed this. For 30 years, my cholesterol has been used to get me onto statins with: 'You're chance of a heart attack in 10yrs is 20%' rubbish. I don't take meds.
Probably my fault for eating mostly 'nice' things in my teens and twenties without too much concern for fibre etc. Constipation and straining was the norm for most visits to the loo. The effort to pass a load was considerable on occasion! All this has an effect over time and tends to lead to haemorrhoids. However, until the last decade or so, the 'inconvenience' tended to be just during going to the loo and a few minutes afterwards, before they settled for the day. The last decade has seen them worsen. They 'drop' while having a poo and need to be gently pushed back. Did you know you can push them back? More recently, they can drop during the day while I'm doing normal things.
My general health and fitness is good, however my state of general health, and yours, probably has little bearing on treatments available since everything that goes in must come out, so the treatments I discuss concern only the exit, common to all of us.
On a good day, when they remain well behaved and 'inside', I can walk up to around12 miles, cycle, and go to the gym twice per week. I do NOT conform to 'healthy eating'. I eat healthy foods! Red meat for immunity to viruses, real butter, whole milk, full fat cheese, eggs, salt (not table salt), spuds, veg, curries, pizzas, chilli, oven chips, spag bol, rice, KFC, seeded batch wholemeal bread etc. Not McD...! All these foods are processed easily by our bodies and enjoy a 'easy passage' - well greased as nature intended for several centuries.
Aside: they tell us cholesterol is bad, it clogs up arteries. What they do not tell us, is cholesterol only clogs arteries while repairing damage to cells in the walls. Why is cholesterol repairing the damage? Because you have a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is the first mineral used, if not available, cholesterol comes along but with consequences. I take a magnesium supplement only once every 4 days, I take a zinc supplement (against viruses) also every 4 days.. on a different day. I very rarely get any illness. (Not medically qualified but did study human biology at UNI.) Cholesterol is essential for our brains. Statins cause diabetes as stated at a UKBIOBANK AGM by its head. However, he would not release a study to the media which confirmed this. For 30 years, my cholesterol has been used to get me onto statins with: 'You're chance of a heart attack in 10yrs is 20%' rubbish. I don't take meds.
Living with haemorrhoids
It helps being regular, and eating food that helps 'soften the blow'.
I trained myself to 'go' in the evenings so I could enjoy a hassle free day at work etc. before meeting a girl who also danced... I started dancing. That meant retraining to go in the mornings again... normal for most people I believe.
On a good day, when they do as they are told, they stay inside. On a not so good day, they begin to drop, regardless of attempts to push them back. this makes everything very uncomfortable. Frequent attempts to press them back from outside may fail or last a minute or two. So the entire day is a pain, they continually remind me they are there. Of course, we are moist inside our bodies so moisture seeps out while these are exposed. Because of its origin, it smells. And stains.
Sometimes, they can bleed as they occasionally do in the morning while having a poo; this can go on for a week! But usually don't bleed then until the next day. I put my Armani (my only good pair of jeans - I'm a pensioner) in the wash on a Sunday morning after a night out with friends at the pub. I noticed a stain on the bum... right where you might expect it. Dark blood looks like poo! embarrassed, I'm wondering who may have seen it. I had worn a T-shirt tucked into my jeans. Do I say something to my friends? It was awful! About 2" across and, to me, clearly visible. It took 5 washes with scrubbing between to get it feint enough to wear them again... but when?! I tend to wear black jeans and black shorts now because if this. Can't chance anything else.
Here's the thing, on a good day, I can walk for many miles but if I stop for 5 minutes or more, and forget to concentrate on keeping them in - clenching etc. - they can begin to drop and that's it. I'll need to get the bus so can sit. I don't dance anymore because dancing itself is normally ok but the lessons involve a lot of standing in one spot. Not sequence dancing, Modern Jive. I want to take self-defence classes, I can't, lots of standing.
However, I am a voluntary part time counsellor, which involves a lot of sitting down, and play a lot of simulator games on my computer, all of which are fine! But my handyman work, shopping, traveling etc. is gradually being reduced because I cannot enjoy them freely.
I trained myself to 'go' in the evenings so I could enjoy a hassle free day at work etc. before meeting a girl who also danced... I started dancing. That meant retraining to go in the mornings again... normal for most people I believe.
On a good day, when they do as they are told, they stay inside. On a not so good day, they begin to drop, regardless of attempts to push them back. this makes everything very uncomfortable. Frequent attempts to press them back from outside may fail or last a minute or two. So the entire day is a pain, they continually remind me they are there. Of course, we are moist inside our bodies so moisture seeps out while these are exposed. Because of its origin, it smells. And stains.
Sometimes, they can bleed as they occasionally do in the morning while having a poo; this can go on for a week! But usually don't bleed then until the next day. I put my Armani (my only good pair of jeans - I'm a pensioner) in the wash on a Sunday morning after a night out with friends at the pub. I noticed a stain on the bum... right where you might expect it. Dark blood looks like poo! embarrassed, I'm wondering who may have seen it. I had worn a T-shirt tucked into my jeans. Do I say something to my friends? It was awful! About 2" across and, to me, clearly visible. It took 5 washes with scrubbing between to get it feint enough to wear them again... but when?! I tend to wear black jeans and black shorts now because if this. Can't chance anything else.
Here's the thing, on a good day, I can walk for many miles but if I stop for 5 minutes or more, and forget to concentrate on keeping them in - clenching etc. - they can begin to drop and that's it. I'll need to get the bus so can sit. I don't dance anymore because dancing itself is normally ok but the lessons involve a lot of standing in one spot. Not sequence dancing, Modern Jive. I want to take self-defence classes, I can't, lots of standing.
However, I am a voluntary part time counsellor, which involves a lot of sitting down, and play a lot of simulator games on my computer, all of which are fine! But my handyman work, shopping, traveling etc. is gradually being reduced because I cannot enjoy them freely.
Treatments endured: Banding, THD, Haemorrhoidectomy
Probably the main reason you're here and reading this!
Seeking advice
Deciding to see a doctor can be anxiety ridden! Just making that decision means it is affecting your life enough to actually talk to someone else about it, who may be able to help... hopefully JUST by good advice. That's what I hoped for. I went to see my doctor. He described the problem and issues, and also possible treatments such as banding, and the 'terrifying' haemorrhoidectomy! F*** THAT! "Would you like me to have a look now..?" Mind thinking... shower this morning, it's now late afternoon, sweaty arse... "No, I think 'd like to come straight from the shower :)". Went away thinking more about eating... high fibre etc.
Food
Fibre makes things easier, as does eating all the foods above that I finally adopted only around 2019! The increased fat content has improved my skin quality incredibly and my cholesterol actually reduced from 7.9 with 'healthy eating' to 6.1 on my current diet!..??? Making it easier to 'go' is half the battle but, piles don't go away. And only get worse over time. Here we are today!
Banding
This is perhaps the most common and most used solution. However, it is not for the worst cases. I have had banding I think 5 times in about 15 years. Haemorrhoids 'present' as they say, as lumpy bits inside the anus. Each is pulled through a small tight rubber band - like an elastic band - and the band released. This then cuts off the supply to the haemorrhoid and it dies off over the next few days.
How does it feel going through this? Hmm. Obviously, the doctor has to see your bum! I've had 4 male and 1 female doing this process. So, you pull down your trousers and underpants to around your knees, get onto the table - usually on your left side (if doctor right handed) - pull your knees up to your chest, or close to, then await the intrusion! Meanwhile hoping the nurse would only recognise you in Asda IF your trousers accidentally fell down!
They have to gain access to inside your bum. Yes ladies, I KNOW childbirth is off the scale compared to this but I am a man :) Something is used to open your anal sphincter... the tight ring of muscle... so they can get inside. I don't know what this, I've never seen it. But if FEELS like a large turnip being shoved fast and with force, into your arse! and hold it open while the bands are applied. 'Bands'? Yep, unless you have only one pile, a band is positioned over each. For each one, the band is fitted onto a tool and expanded, like your bum! To open the band and fit it over the pile. This takes only a couple of seconds. Each makes you jump, not because of the loud CLICK, not pain. Each time, I've had no more than I think 4 or 5 bands fitted. Immediately after the last goes on, the 'turnip' is removed and you think THANK F*** FOR THAT! And it's all over!
For me, each lasted probably a few moths, worst was just couple of weeks. The only negative affect I had was on one occasion, I had that back of the nose pain in the middle of the night. Are nasal nerves attached to the anus...HUH? I took a couple of parrots-et-em-all and was ok soon after. Apparently, one band was closer to the outside meaning skin with nerves was involved. There are no nerves in your colon that are affected by banding, it's only as the colon converts to skin near the exit, where the nerves are, that pain may be felt.
So while uncomfortable, banding is no big deal. Apart from days of anxiety leading up to the embarrassment and unknown (for the 1st time). The pulling down your pants & underpants and climbing onto the table on your side and pulling up your knees knowing this position often leads to them dropping. Then the vicious intrusion on your bum with a turnip! Afterwards, I wonder why I spent so much time worrying for this 5 minutes of discomfort!
Dealing with embarrassment
How do I deal with the embarrassment? Actually, very easily. I forget/put aside who I am, everything about me, while going through any medical stuff. To them, only in this context, I am just another person needing this procedure which they do every day, several times per day. They will have forgotten me within seconds of me leaving, and be preparing for their next patient. I am no-one special, I have nothing unusual, I am just another patient in there for about 15 minutes all in, just a number. I am very happy with being just a number on a conveyor belt. If you keep it personal, that relationship changes. It's like this... it is rare that a surgeon is allowed to operate on his own family. Why? Personality comes into it and instead of simply doing their expert job unhindered, they may make a mistake buy being extra cautious, because it's family. So being anonymous is perfect. I come, I go, I gone.
THD: Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation
After a number of failed bandings, I was referred to Francis, a female Colorectal consultant. Her examination suggested something more than banding may help and suggested a THD. This was performed as a day case and under a general anaesthetic. I went to theatre mid morning and was out just over an hour later.
What happens? At around 6am, at home, I inserted the pointy end of a small plastic bottle of fluid up my bum... about 20mm. Squeezed, then sat down and waited. 20-30 minutes later, I needed to go to the loo! This laxative emptied me out so then had a shower and got ready as normal. Hospital around 07:30 with a group of patients also arriving. We were fairly quickly called individually and taken to our bed. Told to get undressed and put on the gown. The nurse checked all my details, who I was, what I'm in for: not because they don't know but to ensure they had the right person and procedure:) I was checked at every stage to ensure they had the right person.
Later, the anaesthetist visits all his patients for that day, I think 4 of us. He checks all details including my weight, did I take any regular meds? No. Any issues, allergies, reactions to anaesthetics etc. BP already taken by nurse. I told him it takes a while to wake me up. Then, my consultant, Francis McNicol visited the ward and had a chat with me. She is one lovely lady! She took time to see how I was feeling and to tell me what she was going to do, and made sure I was still ok to proceed. I had already signed consent form but she wanted to hear it for herself. I feel very confident around professionals and can completely trust them.
Eventually, I was taken into pre-op where two young nurses, one male, one female, were by me ready to goo into action. I had to untie the gown behind me while on the table, naked underneath but still covered... for now. A plastic needle was put into my hand that would remain. I thought this was metal and later, had to help move myself from a gurney to the bed and almost panicked that bending my wrist would puncture inside my hand! Not the case, the plastic one bends easily! Anaesthetist then connects a syringe with a white fluid inside and asks me to count backwards from 10. I got to 8, could feel it around my body, then passed out.
I know what happens next. The two young nurses removed my gown and prepared me for surgery. I don't know if I was catheterised but I know my legs would have been put up and tied apart to a frame, for access. This bothers me not in the slightest, just a number. There was a person before me and two more another after. Just another day.
My name was being called over and over. I wanted not to wake up but go back to sleep. A young nurse was trying to wake me up and eventually got me to keep my eyes open. She sat with me for a while and, when I was ready, got me water to sip. Eventually, a cup of tea, and later again, a sandwich. All while plenty of staff were around me in this recovery area with around 6 post-op patients in total. She sat with me and didn't leave for over an hour. Eventually, I was taken back to the original ward as I was then stable, now around 17:30.
They told me when I came in that the operation could only go ahead if they had a bed for overnight, because I live alone and not allowed to be alone on the first night. Luckily, there was a bed so it went ahead. I discharged myself at 13:00 next day. I have Asperger's and didn't like being in this place with 3 other people in the ward. I kept getting told the duty doctor would come around to see me before they could prescribe meds to take home. Visiting time was freaking me out, more people. I told the duty nurse around noon, if he doesn't turn up by 13:00, I'm going anyway. 12:50, I got dressed. The duty nurse understood and went to the pharmacy to get my painkillers and 'lubricant'... I did not use the painkillers. Pain is the only way to know if we're getting better or worse, I would rather know.
Recovery Going to the loo the next day HURT! I don't know if painkillers would help, perhaps they would, but this felt like being torn apart! Like shitting glass, to be crude! But the pain was not immediately at the exit, it felt like inside about 1-2cms. No bleeding through this, and the pain only lasted during movement and a few seconds after before immediately dying down again. I put up with this for about 5 days before the pain started to reduce and on day 7, it was almost gone but very bearable. My logic, pain for a week to deal with a long term problem, is no problem.
After that week, I lived on cloud 9. Never experienced the freedom of no issues since I was a child. But it only lasted 2 weeks before one started to drop again. Though generally successful, it depends on the type you have: type 1, 2, 3 or 4. Francis explained the risk to me and I was ok with that. I never take chances, but I take assessed risks. Thankfully, the experience of this has reduced the fear of the 'ectomy'. I know it will be painful, but I know I can deal with pain without meds. If it's going to be too bad, I may take some painkillers next time. All experience is positive. In the follow up, Francis was really disappointed it hadn't worked. She did another banding for me which gave e another few weeks. I've lived with it since then which was summer 2018.
Haemorrhoidectomy - on-going DIARY
The decision
Just before Christmas 2023, I did 2 days raking wet leaves off a Large garden in Heswall. All standing up. Day 2 wasn't too bad but day 1 was horrible. They dropped early and would not stay back in. It spoilt the whole day, I was geared up for a cold, wet, day of hard work - 8hrs. But with this, I couldn't wait to finish and dreaded the next day. My customers (couple) are two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet! Trusting and caring. The leaves would have killed much of the grass and had to come up. I don't let people down so was determined to finish this but would stop working over winter once done. Finally got home and pushed them back, they were pretty HARD... packed with blood. Had a shower and decided something had to be done. I knew already that there was only one remaining option. Over Christmas, I began to lookup the operation and where to have it.
Controversial bit! At this point, the events of the last 3 years (since 2020) left me distrusting of the NHS. I'd also had a laparoscopic hernia operation with the NHS in 2014 which failed, 7 titanium staples tore the muscle. Also trapped a nerve with a screw which caused a LOT of pain while walking until the nerve finally SNAPPED as I jumped off a bus one day leaving no more pain, and a dead patch on my left outer thigh which I still have. To remedy that, I chose to use some of my pension fund to go private and went to Spire Hospital in Liverpool where Mr Hartley did a proper repair and an excellent job! 7 years later, still perfect. And very little pain after the op. So, I have decided to save up from my pension to go private again.
At Spire, I found I could choose my consultant and could read their resume. One stood out from many reasons. Not only his past record doing this type of work, but also in teaching his skills. To teach, you must know more, and have a lot more experience... what can go wrong, how to deal with it, and so on. I instantly felt confident about this consultant and hoped I could get him. The operation will cost just under £4,000 in my case. But I want to book an overnight stay too, not happy being alone on night 1! So, I booked an appointment to see him.
The consultation - February 2024
Late afternoon, I was called in by the consultant. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to name him until after the operation, for various reasons. He asked what he could do for me and I explained the problems I was having. He took his time to listen, and asked a few questions. Described the problem and what could be done. Then it was - trousers down and table time. This lasted only a few seconds and included a finger up the bum. It's the only way to understand the muscle tone inside and detect any related issues.
Dressed and seated again, he told me I have grade 4 haemorrhoids, as bad as they can get really. He explained the operation and what to expect afterwards. He answered what I might have asked but asked more than once if I wanted to ask anything more. I did have one question: "How might the nerves be affected?" thinking about loss of bowel control after! He assured me the nerves are not touched because there are no nerves in the area operated on. He also said it may take two attempts because when they are an issue all around, you can't traumatise the entire area, he would remove two areas with some normal tissue between them to help them heal. They would be the worst. If I needed a second op, the others would be dealt with then. He asked had I ever had a camera investigation up there. Believe it or not, I had to think! Of course not, I'd have remembered that!! He said he would do one at the time. I said: 'asleep', 'yes'. Phew!
If you've never had a finger inserted, it's really no big deal, but it does make your toes curl! And yes, they wear gloves. I told him I felt I was in very safe hands and left. An appointment for the procedure will follow soon.
Week 1. Feb 2024.
Sometimes I bleed but usually only while on the loo. Not bothered at all, even though the pan looks like I've lost about a pint reinforced by the dripping sound. Reality, it's a fraction of a pint and my body regenerates it during the day. This time, I walked home 2 miles after an afternoon/evening out with 2 good friends. They decided to drop on the way and nothing I could do about it. Popped out overnight, waking me up. Pushed back in the loo... folded loo paper, gradually increasing pressure until they go back. Bled every morning after that for now 8 days. Should stop soon.
Week 2. Feb 2024.
Had quote for operation totalling £3,095. Requested re-quote to include overnight stay since I live alone. Got original quote again. Telephoned today 13th, received another email... same quote. Telephoned again, 4th quote now includes overnight and meals in a private room: £3,255. So £160 for the overnight. I have formerly agreed to this procedure and costs and await a call from the team to arrange a date. I will pay by credit card since I have only my state pension and a small private pension about the same amount monthly. If I have to have a 2nd procedure due to grade 4 status, it won't be as urgent as this one and should be able to do that next year.
Week 3. Feb 2024.
Had my date! It's within the next 3 weeks. Will clarify the exact date after the op for various reasons.
Had all paperwork including online questionnaire taking around 30 minutes. Patient Journey booklet with so much information about before, during, after, what to expect, what to do in the event of etc. Almost panicked when I saw the date but settled into it now. I know it's going to be painful and take 2-4weeks to heal to relatively normal but, the alternative is that these things are making a day unpredictable. If they decide to appear while I'm out, the rest of the day can be very uncomfortable! There's an interesting technical event on next week for 2 days which will include standing up as well as lectures. Standing up is unpredictable so I'm not going, and that's the only reason.
Week 4. Feb 2024.
Pre-op consultation booked for 14:00 today. Chatted with a lovely lady not too far from my own age I believe. She went through my response to the online survey - all the questions they need answered before they operate on you - and gave me the opportunity of asking any questions I had. Apart from the routine, because I mentioned high BP, I'll have to nip in for some tests. I told her I will not have the PCR test. She said they don't do that anymore, that's all gone. I said it's a fake test anyway, she said: "I know". We had a great chat about current events since I asked: "Are you ready for Disease X?". She'd only heard about it because her husband is, like me, wide awake! But that's off topic. Because I live alone, I'm staying overnight which apparently means: "You'll be spoilt!" :)
I told her I bought a thermometer so I can know if something isn't right rather than guessing, and that I'd asked staff in Boots what I could use in case of bleeding. While there are lots of pads, pants etc. for leaky willies, there is nothing for men for the er... back passage! I asked about sanitary towels but the lady at Boots said no, they wouldn't work. The lady on the phone doing the pre-op said: "The hospital will give you something but if you want to get something yourself, women's pads would be fine. Put them in your underwear but just move them further back than where they'd normally be worn. So I'll buy a couple of boxes of those, just in case. She added: "This isn't a high risk operation and most people don't have issues like that after the first day or two anyway." she put my mind at rest an I'm actually looking forward to getting this over with now.
I have created a recovery milestone sheet/tick list. I have no other issues so getting back to my 'normal' should be easy to monitor. Walking more than 50m, 1st day with no painkillers, walking to the shops, driving my car, 1st time back at the gym etc. 1st normal loo without pain. I tend not to take painkillers because pain tells me if it's getting better or worse. As it eases over days, it's comforting to see progress.
Dealing with operations, especially potentially embarrassing ones, means that in my mind, I stop being me while I'm in there. Because 'me' has an ego, a self-image. Vanity to be hurt etc. I - the big 'I AM' have rules and expectation from this person who is going to invade 'ME' and if he fails to live up to those, that will cause an issue between us because he has harmed ME in some way. To him, I am 'the next patient on the list'. That's it. No ego, no vanity, no individuality, just the next patient on the list. That is the role I adopt in these situations and it is a wonderful place to be. No vanity, no ego, no embarrassment, just another patient. No chance of meeting him in the supermarket and him shouting: "Hey! How are you? How's your bum?" in public. He won't even remember me. That's how I like it. But he is special to me as the sole focus of my future in respect of this issue I've lived with for 4 decades. As a spiritualist, I believe I have been guided to him and feel in very safe hands. this guy IS an expert and a true professional.
Week 5. Feb 2024.
Called in for bloods and ECG yesterday at 17:30. Only 2 or 3 blood tubes but first packed up so moved to other arm to complete. Not hassle. Next day, letter arrived reiterating time and day of operation, overnight stay, and what I can/cannot eat/drink on the day. I'll be going in at 12:00 noon and can have breakfast before 07:00, drink water freely until 10:30 to help hydration and recovery. Getting closer now. Was going for a walk today but they've decided to show themselves again and not do as they are told so... spent most of the day sitting, apart from changing the bed.
THE OPERATION
1 March 2024. Hospital for noon. Escorted to my room, got changed into gown, tight anti-blood clot stockings, and tear-able knickers. Each visitor introduced themselves. One for meal choices, my nurse who would look after me and take me to theatre, obs nurse etc. Consultant visited early pm to go over forms etc. & said will give enema so he can do a Sigmoidoscopy to see inside with a camera. My nurse came to do that later. Lay on my side, she sloshed some gel over my anus then gently pushed in the applicator. Once in, she squeezed first lump inside, then two more bigger lumps. Set my phone for 10 minutes and had to keep it in for that long. Managed 10 minutes and 20 seconds! Private bathroom in room. All came out! Then, the female anaesthetist came to see me to ask about allergies etc. don't have any. I was 4th on list.
My nurse walked me to theatre at 17:15. More questions. Finally, at 17:30, needle put into left hand and infusion pump began gently pumping anaesthetic into me. this is a new one and more gently done. Felt like getting slowly drunk but without the pleasure of drinking. Ceiling started moving as my eyes lost control. Fell asleep. Next thing, I was being called to wake up in recovery. This new stuff wears off pretty quickly so deep breaths helped wake me up pretty quick. Op took 15-20 mins. Pretty soon, I was wheeled back to my room. You walk down but they bring your bed to take you back on.
Surgeon came to see me saying: 'I did the left side, it was a Big one! You may need another op.' I knew that. Had a large dressing on my bum with a padding like an old sanitary towel between my cheeks. This stayed on until the next afternoon. Stiches are dissolving type so no return to remove them. Sandwich & tea brought, as chosen, by 19:30. Told not to get up alone, so called nurse when I wanted to go for a wee. No issues standing up and walking so she left me to it. Had a wee, no problem.
RECOVERY
Had some sleep, noises woke me a few times. BP check at 06:30. Nurse at 07:45 asking if I wanted pain relief. No, didn't need it; what I've put up with for the last year or so was worse than this. Breakfast - bacon on brown toast as ordered - came at 0830 with tea. Took until 11:00 to get discharge paperwork and meds done. I planned a treat for tomorrow (Sunday), a nice steak and a bottle of red. Nurse gave me my meds: Paracetamol for pain, Codeine for bad pain but causes constipation! Bottle of laxative to drink twice per day 15mm. And, anti-biotics bearing in mind the location of the scar! Must complete 7 day course. I know this, if you do so, any surviving germs will be immune to this antibiotic in future.
Taxi home for noon. Reading all instructions, antibiotics: Do Not Drink Alcohol while taking these! BUGGER! Last tablet will be 06:00 next Saturday so, Saturday eve, I'll have the wine and steak.
Sunday morning, first trip to the loo. Expected severe pain like with THD, not that bad! Must not strain so allowed things to 'fall' naturally, can't really squeeze but can use tummy muscles to help push gently. Monday wasn't so good. Probably because of eating normally Sunday and having large bowl of cereal (fibre) Sunday supper time. Big queue in the morning, trying to find it's way out. Again, can't strain so lots of movements: standing, sitting, wriggling left & right, doubling over etc. Eventually, things happened. Almost passed out in shower after while pushing back the right side trying not to hurt the left side! After my shower, I looked in the mirror and I was almost deathly white! Bit sore for the rest of the day. Problem is when you can't help clenching when standing up, That Hurts! But only for a few seconds. Not worth taking tablets for. I like to know how it's going, pain helps me know if I'm healing or getting worse.
I would just say, you have no idea how many times you clench your bum muscles in every day life... until you have this op! If you know your going to stand up, you can gradually lean forward until you can lift your bum with your thighs, no need to clench. Or you can slowly clench voluntarily before standing up. OR... before coughing!! If you're going to sneeze, you don't have a lot of time to prepare and that might hurt :)
My regime is listed via Excel & printed off. Antibiotics need to be evenly spaced out, 3 over 24 hours. Laxative twice per day. I also bought a thermometer so I can see if I get a fever. 06:00 record temperature and take antibiotic, with a FULL glass of water or it will dissolve on your stomach lining, not good. 08:00 laxative. 14:00 temperature & antibiotic. 20:00 laxative. 22:00 temperature & antibiotic. I set alarms on my phone for each event until next Saturday morning at the times listed here. Currently (Monday pm) have about 24 events left.
Tuesday 5 March, day 4. First time out in car. You only need to be able to do an emergency stop before driving. I was never in that much pain I couldn't have done that. Getting in the car was ok, slowly, holding door and A-pillar etc. Getting out needed some thought but worked out ok with balance. Walked about 150m, no problem but slight 'tie caught in fly' type feeling.
Saturday 9 March, last antibiotic at 06:00. I'd planned a nice Ribeye steak and a bottle of Shiraz for tonight but someone warned me about not letting the antibiotic wear off properly. I googled METRONIDAZOLE it an sure enough, the side effects are many and not good! So, decided to have my treat Sunday evening instead, 36 hours not 48 but there must be aa safety margin there.
This week has been a gradual improvement all through. The general discomfort has reduced to a small concentrated area, that of the operation site. Naturally, this heals during the day only to be tormented again every morning on the loo! Monday dripped blood for a bit, after that bulky one! But bleeding on the loo has been a feature on a number of occasions over the last year so no big deal now there is a definite cause. Tues no dripping but blood on the paper after. Underwear stained during most days a little. No blood at all this morning, now day 8. Met a friends for breakfast, sat for 5 hours chatting! Back home, I actually felt really good for the first time.
Monday 11 March, day 10. Some blood on the paper yesterday and then discomfort most of the day, like internal piles. Each day, I still have to push bock the right side, and as it suddenly shoots back up, a little pain accompanies it for a couple of seconds. The other side wasn't as bad so mostly stays put for the day, or gentle encouragement occasionally if required. Today, fairly normal, no blood. Pain only while passing as though it was a hard rocky stool but no ongoing discomfort. Almost feeling normal!
Also today, I'm going to do some of the handyman stuff I do. Not too taxing other than down on knees a lot. I'll be doing fire call point checks on three properties, getting the meter readings gas & electric, and cleaning the shower traps and checking bathroom water flow. I also have a drone roof survey to do later this week but none of this is overly taxing. On Friday, it will be two weeks since the op. they say healing is 3-4 weeks, no heavy lifting for 2 weeks. Gentle return to normal. Interestingly, they say sexual activity can return to normal as soon as you feel up to it, but they don't say where I, a single man, can find a sexual partner! :)
The difference this operation has made is amazing. Though psychologically expecting the left side to need pushing back after ever visit to the loo, there is NOTHING there! Now I can understand it, veins under the skin that should be inside the canal, have been gradually forced to grow and dislodge by poor eating and straining over the years. They get loose and baggy. Banding pinches up the skin inside but can't solve the problem. Removing them from under the skin, means the skin just works normally again, nothing inside to drop out. I am amazed every day! I have a follow up appointment with my consultant in April where I intend to request the second operation asap. The work I do involves problem solving, designing solutions, and operating power tools. Trying to do all that, and enjoy it while constantly aware of the discomfort behind you is difficult! I want this second op already.
I will name my consultant and the hospital after the next one.
It is now 13 days since my op. I get some slight discomfort in the morning when passing a motion, and it can take a couple of house sat down to settle the area. Remember, mine are grade 4 and I need a second op; worst bit done. If you only need one op, I imagine you'd heal more quickly. I still have taken no painkillers and have been aware of the daily improvements. For the first two weeks, some leakage is expected, can be very minor. The seal is essentially bruised and repairing itself. Too avoid staining underwear, briefs should be worn with a woman's sanitary towel aligned with your bottom. This is no big deal, no one knows why or who you are buying them for if you have to buy it yourself. Put used ones in the big, they do not flush!
Latest update 14 March 2024
Seeking advice
Deciding to see a doctor can be anxiety ridden! Just making that decision means it is affecting your life enough to actually talk to someone else about it, who may be able to help... hopefully JUST by good advice. That's what I hoped for. I went to see my doctor. He described the problem and issues, and also possible treatments such as banding, and the 'terrifying' haemorrhoidectomy! F*** THAT! "Would you like me to have a look now..?" Mind thinking... shower this morning, it's now late afternoon, sweaty arse... "No, I think 'd like to come straight from the shower :)". Went away thinking more about eating... high fibre etc.
Food
Fibre makes things easier, as does eating all the foods above that I finally adopted only around 2019! The increased fat content has improved my skin quality incredibly and my cholesterol actually reduced from 7.9 with 'healthy eating' to 6.1 on my current diet!..??? Making it easier to 'go' is half the battle but, piles don't go away. And only get worse over time. Here we are today!
Banding
This is perhaps the most common and most used solution. However, it is not for the worst cases. I have had banding I think 5 times in about 15 years. Haemorrhoids 'present' as they say, as lumpy bits inside the anus. Each is pulled through a small tight rubber band - like an elastic band - and the band released. This then cuts off the supply to the haemorrhoid and it dies off over the next few days.
How does it feel going through this? Hmm. Obviously, the doctor has to see your bum! I've had 4 male and 1 female doing this process. So, you pull down your trousers and underpants to around your knees, get onto the table - usually on your left side (if doctor right handed) - pull your knees up to your chest, or close to, then await the intrusion! Meanwhile hoping the nurse would only recognise you in Asda IF your trousers accidentally fell down!
They have to gain access to inside your bum. Yes ladies, I KNOW childbirth is off the scale compared to this but I am a man :) Something is used to open your anal sphincter... the tight ring of muscle... so they can get inside. I don't know what this, I've never seen it. But if FEELS like a large turnip being shoved fast and with force, into your arse! and hold it open while the bands are applied. 'Bands'? Yep, unless you have only one pile, a band is positioned over each. For each one, the band is fitted onto a tool and expanded, like your bum! To open the band and fit it over the pile. This takes only a couple of seconds. Each makes you jump, not because of the loud CLICK, not pain. Each time, I've had no more than I think 4 or 5 bands fitted. Immediately after the last goes on, the 'turnip' is removed and you think THANK F*** FOR THAT! And it's all over!
For me, each lasted probably a few moths, worst was just couple of weeks. The only negative affect I had was on one occasion, I had that back of the nose pain in the middle of the night. Are nasal nerves attached to the anus...HUH? I took a couple of parrots-et-em-all and was ok soon after. Apparently, one band was closer to the outside meaning skin with nerves was involved. There are no nerves in your colon that are affected by banding, it's only as the colon converts to skin near the exit, where the nerves are, that pain may be felt.
So while uncomfortable, banding is no big deal. Apart from days of anxiety leading up to the embarrassment and unknown (for the 1st time). The pulling down your pants & underpants and climbing onto the table on your side and pulling up your knees knowing this position often leads to them dropping. Then the vicious intrusion on your bum with a turnip! Afterwards, I wonder why I spent so much time worrying for this 5 minutes of discomfort!
Dealing with embarrassment
How do I deal with the embarrassment? Actually, very easily. I forget/put aside who I am, everything about me, while going through any medical stuff. To them, only in this context, I am just another person needing this procedure which they do every day, several times per day. They will have forgotten me within seconds of me leaving, and be preparing for their next patient. I am no-one special, I have nothing unusual, I am just another patient in there for about 15 minutes all in, just a number. I am very happy with being just a number on a conveyor belt. If you keep it personal, that relationship changes. It's like this... it is rare that a surgeon is allowed to operate on his own family. Why? Personality comes into it and instead of simply doing their expert job unhindered, they may make a mistake buy being extra cautious, because it's family. So being anonymous is perfect. I come, I go, I gone.
THD: Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation
After a number of failed bandings, I was referred to Francis, a female Colorectal consultant. Her examination suggested something more than banding may help and suggested a THD. This was performed as a day case and under a general anaesthetic. I went to theatre mid morning and was out just over an hour later.
What happens? At around 6am, at home, I inserted the pointy end of a small plastic bottle of fluid up my bum... about 20mm. Squeezed, then sat down and waited. 20-30 minutes later, I needed to go to the loo! This laxative emptied me out so then had a shower and got ready as normal. Hospital around 07:30 with a group of patients also arriving. We were fairly quickly called individually and taken to our bed. Told to get undressed and put on the gown. The nurse checked all my details, who I was, what I'm in for: not because they don't know but to ensure they had the right person and procedure:) I was checked at every stage to ensure they had the right person.
Later, the anaesthetist visits all his patients for that day, I think 4 of us. He checks all details including my weight, did I take any regular meds? No. Any issues, allergies, reactions to anaesthetics etc. BP already taken by nurse. I told him it takes a while to wake me up. Then, my consultant, Francis McNicol visited the ward and had a chat with me. She is one lovely lady! She took time to see how I was feeling and to tell me what she was going to do, and made sure I was still ok to proceed. I had already signed consent form but she wanted to hear it for herself. I feel very confident around professionals and can completely trust them.
Eventually, I was taken into pre-op where two young nurses, one male, one female, were by me ready to goo into action. I had to untie the gown behind me while on the table, naked underneath but still covered... for now. A plastic needle was put into my hand that would remain. I thought this was metal and later, had to help move myself from a gurney to the bed and almost panicked that bending my wrist would puncture inside my hand! Not the case, the plastic one bends easily! Anaesthetist then connects a syringe with a white fluid inside and asks me to count backwards from 10. I got to 8, could feel it around my body, then passed out.
I know what happens next. The two young nurses removed my gown and prepared me for surgery. I don't know if I was catheterised but I know my legs would have been put up and tied apart to a frame, for access. This bothers me not in the slightest, just a number. There was a person before me and two more another after. Just another day.
My name was being called over and over. I wanted not to wake up but go back to sleep. A young nurse was trying to wake me up and eventually got me to keep my eyes open. She sat with me for a while and, when I was ready, got me water to sip. Eventually, a cup of tea, and later again, a sandwich. All while plenty of staff were around me in this recovery area with around 6 post-op patients in total. She sat with me and didn't leave for over an hour. Eventually, I was taken back to the original ward as I was then stable, now around 17:30.
They told me when I came in that the operation could only go ahead if they had a bed for overnight, because I live alone and not allowed to be alone on the first night. Luckily, there was a bed so it went ahead. I discharged myself at 13:00 next day. I have Asperger's and didn't like being in this place with 3 other people in the ward. I kept getting told the duty doctor would come around to see me before they could prescribe meds to take home. Visiting time was freaking me out, more people. I told the duty nurse around noon, if he doesn't turn up by 13:00, I'm going anyway. 12:50, I got dressed. The duty nurse understood and went to the pharmacy to get my painkillers and 'lubricant'... I did not use the painkillers. Pain is the only way to know if we're getting better or worse, I would rather know.
Recovery Going to the loo the next day HURT! I don't know if painkillers would help, perhaps they would, but this felt like being torn apart! Like shitting glass, to be crude! But the pain was not immediately at the exit, it felt like inside about 1-2cms. No bleeding through this, and the pain only lasted during movement and a few seconds after before immediately dying down again. I put up with this for about 5 days before the pain started to reduce and on day 7, it was almost gone but very bearable. My logic, pain for a week to deal with a long term problem, is no problem.
After that week, I lived on cloud 9. Never experienced the freedom of no issues since I was a child. But it only lasted 2 weeks before one started to drop again. Though generally successful, it depends on the type you have: type 1, 2, 3 or 4. Francis explained the risk to me and I was ok with that. I never take chances, but I take assessed risks. Thankfully, the experience of this has reduced the fear of the 'ectomy'. I know it will be painful, but I know I can deal with pain without meds. If it's going to be too bad, I may take some painkillers next time. All experience is positive. In the follow up, Francis was really disappointed it hadn't worked. She did another banding for me which gave e another few weeks. I've lived with it since then which was summer 2018.
Haemorrhoidectomy - on-going DIARY
The decision
Just before Christmas 2023, I did 2 days raking wet leaves off a Large garden in Heswall. All standing up. Day 2 wasn't too bad but day 1 was horrible. They dropped early and would not stay back in. It spoilt the whole day, I was geared up for a cold, wet, day of hard work - 8hrs. But with this, I couldn't wait to finish and dreaded the next day. My customers (couple) are two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet! Trusting and caring. The leaves would have killed much of the grass and had to come up. I don't let people down so was determined to finish this but would stop working over winter once done. Finally got home and pushed them back, they were pretty HARD... packed with blood. Had a shower and decided something had to be done. I knew already that there was only one remaining option. Over Christmas, I began to lookup the operation and where to have it.
Controversial bit! At this point, the events of the last 3 years (since 2020) left me distrusting of the NHS. I'd also had a laparoscopic hernia operation with the NHS in 2014 which failed, 7 titanium staples tore the muscle. Also trapped a nerve with a screw which caused a LOT of pain while walking until the nerve finally SNAPPED as I jumped off a bus one day leaving no more pain, and a dead patch on my left outer thigh which I still have. To remedy that, I chose to use some of my pension fund to go private and went to Spire Hospital in Liverpool where Mr Hartley did a proper repair and an excellent job! 7 years later, still perfect. And very little pain after the op. So, I have decided to save up from my pension to go private again.
At Spire, I found I could choose my consultant and could read their resume. One stood out from many reasons. Not only his past record doing this type of work, but also in teaching his skills. To teach, you must know more, and have a lot more experience... what can go wrong, how to deal with it, and so on. I instantly felt confident about this consultant and hoped I could get him. The operation will cost just under £4,000 in my case. But I want to book an overnight stay too, not happy being alone on night 1! So, I booked an appointment to see him.
The consultation - February 2024
Late afternoon, I was called in by the consultant. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to name him until after the operation, for various reasons. He asked what he could do for me and I explained the problems I was having. He took his time to listen, and asked a few questions. Described the problem and what could be done. Then it was - trousers down and table time. This lasted only a few seconds and included a finger up the bum. It's the only way to understand the muscle tone inside and detect any related issues.
Dressed and seated again, he told me I have grade 4 haemorrhoids, as bad as they can get really. He explained the operation and what to expect afterwards. He answered what I might have asked but asked more than once if I wanted to ask anything more. I did have one question: "How might the nerves be affected?" thinking about loss of bowel control after! He assured me the nerves are not touched because there are no nerves in the area operated on. He also said it may take two attempts because when they are an issue all around, you can't traumatise the entire area, he would remove two areas with some normal tissue between them to help them heal. They would be the worst. If I needed a second op, the others would be dealt with then. He asked had I ever had a camera investigation up there. Believe it or not, I had to think! Of course not, I'd have remembered that!! He said he would do one at the time. I said: 'asleep', 'yes'. Phew!
If you've never had a finger inserted, it's really no big deal, but it does make your toes curl! And yes, they wear gloves. I told him I felt I was in very safe hands and left. An appointment for the procedure will follow soon.
Week 1. Feb 2024.
Sometimes I bleed but usually only while on the loo. Not bothered at all, even though the pan looks like I've lost about a pint reinforced by the dripping sound. Reality, it's a fraction of a pint and my body regenerates it during the day. This time, I walked home 2 miles after an afternoon/evening out with 2 good friends. They decided to drop on the way and nothing I could do about it. Popped out overnight, waking me up. Pushed back in the loo... folded loo paper, gradually increasing pressure until they go back. Bled every morning after that for now 8 days. Should stop soon.
Week 2. Feb 2024.
Had quote for operation totalling £3,095. Requested re-quote to include overnight stay since I live alone. Got original quote again. Telephoned today 13th, received another email... same quote. Telephoned again, 4th quote now includes overnight and meals in a private room: £3,255. So £160 for the overnight. I have formerly agreed to this procedure and costs and await a call from the team to arrange a date. I will pay by credit card since I have only my state pension and a small private pension about the same amount monthly. If I have to have a 2nd procedure due to grade 4 status, it won't be as urgent as this one and should be able to do that next year.
Week 3. Feb 2024.
Had my date! It's within the next 3 weeks. Will clarify the exact date after the op for various reasons.
Had all paperwork including online questionnaire taking around 30 minutes. Patient Journey booklet with so much information about before, during, after, what to expect, what to do in the event of etc. Almost panicked when I saw the date but settled into it now. I know it's going to be painful and take 2-4weeks to heal to relatively normal but, the alternative is that these things are making a day unpredictable. If they decide to appear while I'm out, the rest of the day can be very uncomfortable! There's an interesting technical event on next week for 2 days which will include standing up as well as lectures. Standing up is unpredictable so I'm not going, and that's the only reason.
Week 4. Feb 2024.
Pre-op consultation booked for 14:00 today. Chatted with a lovely lady not too far from my own age I believe. She went through my response to the online survey - all the questions they need answered before they operate on you - and gave me the opportunity of asking any questions I had. Apart from the routine, because I mentioned high BP, I'll have to nip in for some tests. I told her I will not have the PCR test. She said they don't do that anymore, that's all gone. I said it's a fake test anyway, she said: "I know". We had a great chat about current events since I asked: "Are you ready for Disease X?". She'd only heard about it because her husband is, like me, wide awake! But that's off topic. Because I live alone, I'm staying overnight which apparently means: "You'll be spoilt!" :)
I told her I bought a thermometer so I can know if something isn't right rather than guessing, and that I'd asked staff in Boots what I could use in case of bleeding. While there are lots of pads, pants etc. for leaky willies, there is nothing for men for the er... back passage! I asked about sanitary towels but the lady at Boots said no, they wouldn't work. The lady on the phone doing the pre-op said: "The hospital will give you something but if you want to get something yourself, women's pads would be fine. Put them in your underwear but just move them further back than where they'd normally be worn. So I'll buy a couple of boxes of those, just in case. She added: "This isn't a high risk operation and most people don't have issues like that after the first day or two anyway." she put my mind at rest an I'm actually looking forward to getting this over with now.
I have created a recovery milestone sheet/tick list. I have no other issues so getting back to my 'normal' should be easy to monitor. Walking more than 50m, 1st day with no painkillers, walking to the shops, driving my car, 1st time back at the gym etc. 1st normal loo without pain. I tend not to take painkillers because pain tells me if it's getting better or worse. As it eases over days, it's comforting to see progress.
Dealing with operations, especially potentially embarrassing ones, means that in my mind, I stop being me while I'm in there. Because 'me' has an ego, a self-image. Vanity to be hurt etc. I - the big 'I AM' have rules and expectation from this person who is going to invade 'ME' and if he fails to live up to those, that will cause an issue between us because he has harmed ME in some way. To him, I am 'the next patient on the list'. That's it. No ego, no vanity, no individuality, just the next patient on the list. That is the role I adopt in these situations and it is a wonderful place to be. No vanity, no ego, no embarrassment, just another patient. No chance of meeting him in the supermarket and him shouting: "Hey! How are you? How's your bum?" in public. He won't even remember me. That's how I like it. But he is special to me as the sole focus of my future in respect of this issue I've lived with for 4 decades. As a spiritualist, I believe I have been guided to him and feel in very safe hands. this guy IS an expert and a true professional.
Week 5. Feb 2024.
Called in for bloods and ECG yesterday at 17:30. Only 2 or 3 blood tubes but first packed up so moved to other arm to complete. Not hassle. Next day, letter arrived reiterating time and day of operation, overnight stay, and what I can/cannot eat/drink on the day. I'll be going in at 12:00 noon and can have breakfast before 07:00, drink water freely until 10:30 to help hydration and recovery. Getting closer now. Was going for a walk today but they've decided to show themselves again and not do as they are told so... spent most of the day sitting, apart from changing the bed.
THE OPERATION
1 March 2024. Hospital for noon. Escorted to my room, got changed into gown, tight anti-blood clot stockings, and tear-able knickers. Each visitor introduced themselves. One for meal choices, my nurse who would look after me and take me to theatre, obs nurse etc. Consultant visited early pm to go over forms etc. & said will give enema so he can do a Sigmoidoscopy to see inside with a camera. My nurse came to do that later. Lay on my side, she sloshed some gel over my anus then gently pushed in the applicator. Once in, she squeezed first lump inside, then two more bigger lumps. Set my phone for 10 minutes and had to keep it in for that long. Managed 10 minutes and 20 seconds! Private bathroom in room. All came out! Then, the female anaesthetist came to see me to ask about allergies etc. don't have any. I was 4th on list.
My nurse walked me to theatre at 17:15. More questions. Finally, at 17:30, needle put into left hand and infusion pump began gently pumping anaesthetic into me. this is a new one and more gently done. Felt like getting slowly drunk but without the pleasure of drinking. Ceiling started moving as my eyes lost control. Fell asleep. Next thing, I was being called to wake up in recovery. This new stuff wears off pretty quickly so deep breaths helped wake me up pretty quick. Op took 15-20 mins. Pretty soon, I was wheeled back to my room. You walk down but they bring your bed to take you back on.
Surgeon came to see me saying: 'I did the left side, it was a Big one! You may need another op.' I knew that. Had a large dressing on my bum with a padding like an old sanitary towel between my cheeks. This stayed on until the next afternoon. Stiches are dissolving type so no return to remove them. Sandwich & tea brought, as chosen, by 19:30. Told not to get up alone, so called nurse when I wanted to go for a wee. No issues standing up and walking so she left me to it. Had a wee, no problem.
RECOVERY
Had some sleep, noises woke me a few times. BP check at 06:30. Nurse at 07:45 asking if I wanted pain relief. No, didn't need it; what I've put up with for the last year or so was worse than this. Breakfast - bacon on brown toast as ordered - came at 0830 with tea. Took until 11:00 to get discharge paperwork and meds done. I planned a treat for tomorrow (Sunday), a nice steak and a bottle of red. Nurse gave me my meds: Paracetamol for pain, Codeine for bad pain but causes constipation! Bottle of laxative to drink twice per day 15mm. And, anti-biotics bearing in mind the location of the scar! Must complete 7 day course. I know this, if you do so, any surviving germs will be immune to this antibiotic in future.
Taxi home for noon. Reading all instructions, antibiotics: Do Not Drink Alcohol while taking these! BUGGER! Last tablet will be 06:00 next Saturday so, Saturday eve, I'll have the wine and steak.
Sunday morning, first trip to the loo. Expected severe pain like with THD, not that bad! Must not strain so allowed things to 'fall' naturally, can't really squeeze but can use tummy muscles to help push gently. Monday wasn't so good. Probably because of eating normally Sunday and having large bowl of cereal (fibre) Sunday supper time. Big queue in the morning, trying to find it's way out. Again, can't strain so lots of movements: standing, sitting, wriggling left & right, doubling over etc. Eventually, things happened. Almost passed out in shower after while pushing back the right side trying not to hurt the left side! After my shower, I looked in the mirror and I was almost deathly white! Bit sore for the rest of the day. Problem is when you can't help clenching when standing up, That Hurts! But only for a few seconds. Not worth taking tablets for. I like to know how it's going, pain helps me know if I'm healing or getting worse.
I would just say, you have no idea how many times you clench your bum muscles in every day life... until you have this op! If you know your going to stand up, you can gradually lean forward until you can lift your bum with your thighs, no need to clench. Or you can slowly clench voluntarily before standing up. OR... before coughing!! If you're going to sneeze, you don't have a lot of time to prepare and that might hurt :)
My regime is listed via Excel & printed off. Antibiotics need to be evenly spaced out, 3 over 24 hours. Laxative twice per day. I also bought a thermometer so I can see if I get a fever. 06:00 record temperature and take antibiotic, with a FULL glass of water or it will dissolve on your stomach lining, not good. 08:00 laxative. 14:00 temperature & antibiotic. 20:00 laxative. 22:00 temperature & antibiotic. I set alarms on my phone for each event until next Saturday morning at the times listed here. Currently (Monday pm) have about 24 events left.
Tuesday 5 March, day 4. First time out in car. You only need to be able to do an emergency stop before driving. I was never in that much pain I couldn't have done that. Getting in the car was ok, slowly, holding door and A-pillar etc. Getting out needed some thought but worked out ok with balance. Walked about 150m, no problem but slight 'tie caught in fly' type feeling.
Saturday 9 March, last antibiotic at 06:00. I'd planned a nice Ribeye steak and a bottle of Shiraz for tonight but someone warned me about not letting the antibiotic wear off properly. I googled METRONIDAZOLE it an sure enough, the side effects are many and not good! So, decided to have my treat Sunday evening instead, 36 hours not 48 but there must be aa safety margin there.
This week has been a gradual improvement all through. The general discomfort has reduced to a small concentrated area, that of the operation site. Naturally, this heals during the day only to be tormented again every morning on the loo! Monday dripped blood for a bit, after that bulky one! But bleeding on the loo has been a feature on a number of occasions over the last year so no big deal now there is a definite cause. Tues no dripping but blood on the paper after. Underwear stained during most days a little. No blood at all this morning, now day 8. Met a friends for breakfast, sat for 5 hours chatting! Back home, I actually felt really good for the first time.
Monday 11 March, day 10. Some blood on the paper yesterday and then discomfort most of the day, like internal piles. Each day, I still have to push bock the right side, and as it suddenly shoots back up, a little pain accompanies it for a couple of seconds. The other side wasn't as bad so mostly stays put for the day, or gentle encouragement occasionally if required. Today, fairly normal, no blood. Pain only while passing as though it was a hard rocky stool but no ongoing discomfort. Almost feeling normal!
Also today, I'm going to do some of the handyman stuff I do. Not too taxing other than down on knees a lot. I'll be doing fire call point checks on three properties, getting the meter readings gas & electric, and cleaning the shower traps and checking bathroom water flow. I also have a drone roof survey to do later this week but none of this is overly taxing. On Friday, it will be two weeks since the op. they say healing is 3-4 weeks, no heavy lifting for 2 weeks. Gentle return to normal. Interestingly, they say sexual activity can return to normal as soon as you feel up to it, but they don't say where I, a single man, can find a sexual partner! :)
The difference this operation has made is amazing. Though psychologically expecting the left side to need pushing back after ever visit to the loo, there is NOTHING there! Now I can understand it, veins under the skin that should be inside the canal, have been gradually forced to grow and dislodge by poor eating and straining over the years. They get loose and baggy. Banding pinches up the skin inside but can't solve the problem. Removing them from under the skin, means the skin just works normally again, nothing inside to drop out. I am amazed every day! I have a follow up appointment with my consultant in April where I intend to request the second operation asap. The work I do involves problem solving, designing solutions, and operating power tools. Trying to do all that, and enjoy it while constantly aware of the discomfort behind you is difficult! I want this second op already.
I will name my consultant and the hospital after the next one.
It is now 13 days since my op. I get some slight discomfort in the morning when passing a motion, and it can take a couple of house sat down to settle the area. Remember, mine are grade 4 and I need a second op; worst bit done. If you only need one op, I imagine you'd heal more quickly. I still have taken no painkillers and have been aware of the daily improvements. For the first two weeks, some leakage is expected, can be very minor. The seal is essentially bruised and repairing itself. Too avoid staining underwear, briefs should be worn with a woman's sanitary towel aligned with your bottom. This is no big deal, no one knows why or who you are buying them for if you have to buy it yourself. Put used ones in the big, they do not flush!
Latest update 14 March 2024