Going Home
Like other surgeries, relieving pain is part of recovery from hemorrhoids surgery. The local anesthetic agent applied before the surgery keeps the pain away for 6 to 12 hours. The patient may choose to go home the same day instead of staying overnight in the surgery center. However, he/she is allowed to leave only after the effect of the anesthetic is over. The patient is not allowed to drive; someone needs to drive him or her home.
Urinary Retention
During recovery from hemorrhoids surgery, about 20% of patients experience difficulty in urinating, a condition called urinary retention. This usually occurs due to swelling in the tissues or, in some cases, due to a spasm of the muscles in the pelvic region.
Post-Surgical Risks and Problems
During the process of recovery from hemorrhoids surgery, the main
side effects for the patient include pain, bleeding, and difficulty
in urinating. In the early period of recovery from hemorrhoids surgery,
the patient may experience bleeding from the anal canal or collection
of blood in the surgically operated area. The bowl and/or bladder
movements may get out of the patient’s control. There is some
risk of infection of the operated area. Some patients may have trouble
passing stool (called fecal impaction). Later in the recovery from
hemorrhoids surgery, a few patients may suffer from narrowing of
the anal canal. In rare cases, a fissure (called fistula) may develop
in the rectal area. Recurrence of hemorrhoids may occur, though
not very commonly.
Laser Surgery and Recovery from Hemorrhoids Surgery
Some sources claim that performing surgery with laser, instead of conventional surgical instruments, quickens the process of recovery from hemroids surgery. However, this claim has not been confirmed. Laser surgery is a lengthier procedure that, if not perfomed properly, may cause deep injury to tissues, prolonging the process of recovery from hemorrhoids surgery.
Helpful Guidelines
The medications for pain, prescribed by the doctor, help minimize
the post-surgical pain during recovery from hemorrhoids surgery.
It is important to consult the doctor before taking any over-the-counter
medications for relieving pain or other symptoms. Ice packs
may be applied to the operated area for temporary hemorrhoid
relief. To make the process of defecation less painful, numbing
medicines may be applied to the affected area before and after a
bowel movement. Using sitz bath and taking a fiber-rich diet (vegetables
and fruits) are also helpful in providing relief from pain during
defecation. Antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor to prevent
infection of the operated area during recovery from hemorrhoids
surgery.