Hemorrhoidectomy: What You Need To Know
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend you undergo a hemorrhoidectomy. This is major surgery but can have a wonderful outcome, particularly if your hemorrhoids are causing you a lot of pain. There are some things you should know before you make a decision to go through with this procedure:
What Happens During a Hemorrhoidectomy?
A hemorrhoidectomy surgical procedure removes both interior and exterior hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located in or just outside the anus. They can be painful and cause itching. The surgery consists of a surgeon cutting the swollen areas away.
How Do You Prepare for a Hemorrhoidectomy?
As you prepare for the surgery, there are steps you need to take to have a successful outcome and avoid complications. Your doctor may have you take a laxative or enema to clear out your colon. You will stop eating or drinking anything at a certain point before your surgery. Your doctor will inform you of the timing of this step based on the time of your surgery. You should shower on the day of the procedure, but avoid applying colognes, perfumes, or lotions. Do not shave near the area. You will remove your jewelry, piercings, and contact lenses if you have them.
What Can You Expect After a Hemorrhoidectomy?
After your procedure, you should go home within a few hours depending on your outcome. You will notice some pain in the surgical area, and you may experience some bleeding at first. This is a normal reaction. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication and stool softeners to help make bowel movements less painful.
You will need to take some time off work to heal, typically a couple of weeks if possible, based on the type of work you perform. You will not be able to lift anything heavy for many weeks, as this can be problematic for your surgical site. You will see your doctor again within a few days of the surgery to ensure the area is healing and you are managing your pain. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, you should contact your doctor right away.
A hemorrhoidectomy is a significant procedure, and you should be adequately prepared on what to expect before, during, and after. If you have any questions at all, be sure to talk to your doctor. They will be able to provide you with all the answers you need.