In the world today, over 240 million people suffer or have suffered from the problem of hemorrhoids. While most can get by with at-home treatments or medicated ointments and creams, the most severe cases can only be cured through a hemorrhoids removal procedure. This is one of the most effective ways to achieve long-term relief and is a must-have procedure for those extreme cases.
The main hemorrhoids removal procedure is called a hemorrhoidectomy. Normally this procedure is an out patient surgery, however sometimes the patient has been required to stay over night in the hospital. This type of surgery is available on internal and external hemorrhoids. However this type of treatment is the last resort when all the others failed.
A hemorrhoidectomy – or hemorrhoids removal – is typically accomplished by first placing the patient under anesthesia. A small incision is then made in the swollen tissue by the surgeon, who then ties off the veins leading to the hemorrhoid to prevent bleeding. After this hemorrhoids removal procedure is accomplished, the wound is typically covered in gauze (or is sometimes stitched closed). Most of the time the patient can return home that same day.
The recovery time for the hemorrhoids removal procedure is normally 2-3 weeks. In this time the patient will experience a lot of pain. Most doctors will prescribe pain medication. However almost all pain medicine will cause some constipation, so you should really limit yourself to how much you take. If you can get by with just taking a few Tylenol that would be a lot better than taking pain killers.
The success rate for hemorrhoids removal procedures is over 90% in almost all cases (i.e. the hemorrhoids never return). Around 5% of the people undergoing this procedure have reported that their hemorrhoids have returned with time.
Some commonly-experienced risks with hemorrhoids removal procedures are pain, bleeding, and problems with going to the restroom. Sometimes in extreme and rare cases, patients have reported that their anal canal has actually narrowed. To be sure, hemorrhoids procedures are quite painful, but if one is suffering from swollen irritated hemorrhoids it is worth it!
Caring for the wounds caused by a hemorrhoids removal procedure is vital to speed up recovery time following the operation. Pain is, unfortunately, a certainty. Over the counter medications for pain are preferred to prescribe pain relief medication because the latter can cause constipation, which will make your recovery only worse. It may help to use stool softeners if one has to take pain medication, to help mitigate the symptoms of constipation.
Many patients who have had a hemorrhoids removal procedure done have used ice packs 2-3 times a day for the first few days. This will keep the swelling done to a minimum. After the first few days you should switch from ice to heat. This is done by using a sitz bath or heating pack. It’s recommended that you use a sitz bath 2-3 times a day to relieve the swelling and pressure. Also eating a high fiber diet after surgery will help in passing your stool easier. Your surgeon will give you follow up directions in all the things you need to do to insure a speedy recovery.