Hemorrhoids Surgery & Recovery Time

Surgical treatment of hemorrhoids is meant for the removal of hemorrhoids to provide long-term or permanent relief from the annoying symptoms of hemorrhoids. Surgical removal of hemorrhoids is called hemorrhoidectomy and it is performed in a surgery center while the patient is under general or spinal anesthesia. After the surgery, the patient is usually able to go home the same day, though recovery from hemorrhoid surgery usually requires almost 2 to 3 weeks.

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 a 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 a laser, instead of conventional surgical instruments, quickens the process of recovery from hemorrhoids surgery. However, this claim has not been confirmed. Laser surgery is a lengthier procedure that, if not performed 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 a 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.