Healing After a Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside the rectum, which can cause bleeding and pain. A hemorrhoidectomy is surgery to remove hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoidectomy is a routine surgery with a low risk of serious complications. You should heal from your surgery within two to three weeks.

Pain

• You may experience pain for up to two weeks after your surgery. Your doctor may provide you with prescription medication or you may use ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed by your physician. Your doctor will also prescribe a stool softener so your bowel movements will be less painful. According to the Ohio State University Medical Center, it is better to sit on fluffy pillows rather than an inflatable ring in order to make sitting less painful.

Incision

• You may notice swelling around your incision or bleeding with your bowel movements. According to the University of Hawaii Medical Center, this is normal during the first couple of weeks after your hemorrhoidectomy. To relieve swelling and discomfort around your incision, sit in warm water for at least ten minutes three times daily and after your bowel movements. Clean yourself with moist baby wipes and place a dry cotton ball or gauze over the opening of your rectum to help keep your incision dry.

Stools

• Eat a high fiber diet in order to prevent constipation while you are healing. In addition to stool softeners, your physician may recommend Citrucel or Metamucil to be taken daily. Drink six to eight glasses of water each day. Avoid straining to have a bowel movement and do not sit on the toilet for prolonged periods as this places pressure on your rectum.

Resume Activities

• Gradually resume your normal daily activities but do not strain or do heavy lifting for at least two weeks or until your incision has completely healed. Continue to eat a high fiber diet and drink plenty of water daily to prevent a recurrence of your hemorrhoids. Do not postpone your bowel movements and do not strain as that places pressure on the veins in your rectum.

Medical Assistance

• Your doctor will schedule a follow up visit a few weeks after your surgery to check on the progress of your healing. If you experience severe bleeding, an inability to urinate or have a bowel movement, or if you develop a fever, call your doctor immediately.