How to Recover From Hemorrhoid Removal

Hemorrhoids can be painful, irritating, itchy and cause bleeding. Hemorrhoids are veins around the lower rectum or in the anus that become inflamed. Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. An external hemorrhoid can protrude from the body, making it very uncomfortable and painful to sit or even move. The cause of hemorrhoids can be pregnancy, straining during bowel movements, constipation, sitting for prolonged periods, diet low in fiber, age or anal sex. Surgery is sometimes required to remove hemorrhoids.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a stool softener as prescribed by your physician. Do not miss any doses. The stool softeners will minimize straining during a bowel movement.

• 2

  Eat a diet high in fiber. This is important following surgery to help maintain soft stools and help the tissues heal. According to McKinley Health Center, a diet high in fiber helps prevent constipation which is the leading cause of hemorrhoids. Fiber helps add moisture and bulk to the stool and helps the stool move faster through the bowels.

• 3

  Use an ice pack on the area where the hemorrhoid was removed. This can provide temporary relief and reduce swelling.

• 4

  Take sitz baths. A sitz bath can be done by using a plastic tub that fits around the ring of the toilet. Your doctor may have provided you with one. Fill the tub with warm water -- not hot -- and sit down allowing the warm water to bath the surgical area. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes two to four times per day. If you do not have a plastic tub to fit on your toilet, fill your bathtub with warm water deep enough to cover your bottom and surgical area.

• 5

  Use numbing medications or wipes. Your doctor will be able to provide you with names of medications to use. The numbing medication or wipes will relieve pain temporarily.

• 6

  Take your antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. You may or may not need antibiotics. Antibiotics are sometimes used to prevent infection from the stool moving across the incision areas.