Hemorroidectomy

[CTyankee]

I need one. Finally going to find and book a specialist in my area as soon as I can get an appt.

Hubby has had this treatment many years before I even met him and in another location. But he says it is definitely worth it.

Seems simple, but at my advanced age I worry about the procedure (pain, any recovery time).

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks!

[qazplm135]

1. Had my first large one

Creams didn't work, but you know what did work and quickly?

Sitting on ice cubes. Took about two days and a huge one just went away.

[CTyankee]

2. Good idea.

I guess I could try that in the bathtub (but getting out would be a problem -- maybe on my handicap bench in the tub would work).

[qazplm135]

10. All I did

Was get ice cubes and jammed it in there with a hand cloth to catch the melting.

I honestly didn't feel the cold and the ice cube melts fast so I would put another one.

30-60 minutes then a break for a while then do it again.

By the end of the second day it was basically gone. Definitely gone by the third day. And this is after going to urgent care and given prescription cream that I used for two weeks and if it didn't work I needed to go get it surgically removed.

Cream did nothing for two weeks. Ice cubes two days.

[CTyankee]

11. If you get another flare up will you have to do the ice treatment again?

I wouldn't be too thrilled having to keep doing this if it can be permanently cleared up in a dr.'s office....

[qazplm135]

13. Well let's see

Hasn't happened again. If it does then maybe?

[hibbing]

3. Do you have a tub?

I had this done gosh, 20 years ago if not longer. Maybe the technology and process has improved. Soaking in a warm tub helped with recover and not to be too graphic, but especially after a BM, was a pretty painful recovery though. Good luck!

Forward!

[CTyankee]

4. I can't get in and out of a tub any more, which is why I have a tub seat.

Maybe a doc who does the procedure would have a recommendation on post-surgery care for old people.

[hibbing]

6. Yeah

With all the technology and advances, I would like to think this procedure has gotten better. Best of luck to you.

[cyclonefence]

5. Be sure to eat lots of salads and prunes

afterward. It will be scary to have a bowel movement, and anything you can do to make it easier is a good thing.

[CTyankee]

7. I have been eating healthily for a while now. I realize that when we age we need better nutrients always.

I read labels for sodium levels, for instance. I don't cook a lot but what I do cook is healthily prepared.

[cyclonefence]

12. Dear CT

I don't mean eat healthy foods. I mean eat foods that will make bowel movements easy. Trust me on this. (Of course you should eat healthy foods, but if three Hershey bars makes you poop, you may find yourself needing to eat three Hershey bars. If you know what I mean.)

[CTyankee]

14. No, my diet is very healthy, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. One thing I have singled out is sodium in prepared

frozen meals (the ones in the bags). I have studied the labels and cut out the ones with high sodium and have started to cook again myself. My bad back won't allow me to spend lots of time in prep work, however, but I am cooking more with a plant based, not a meat based meals. My husband likes meat so I can't cut that out, just down. It makes for a menu of limited variety, however. We have salmon once a week for his health needs. Salmon is expensive now.

[EarnestPutz]

8. Don't you just love D.U.? Never know what might come up next.

[NNadir]

9. Get the bands, a 10 minute procedure in the office.

There's a little discomfort for a few days and you may need to repeat the procedure a few years later.

Piece of cake...probably the wrong locution under the circumstances...let's just say should I live to 90, having been there and done that, I'm confident I could have the procedure with no sweat.

[CTyankee]

15. Appointment is next week with my surgeon (referred by my primary care doc and I've had him before for other issues).

I'm not sure how he will treat this, but I have to be prepared for what he thinks is best. My insurance will cover it (all of it I hope). I'e done what I could do.

[NNadir]

16. He or she may recommend the bands.

[CTyankee]

17. they sound messy and unpleasant. Are they?

[NNadir]

18. They're infinity better than surgery. There was minimal...

...discomfort for a day or two, and otherwise no other effects. They eventually fall off in a way that goes unnoticed and are flushed away.

I've had the three times over three decades. My gastro guy says I'm unusual in having needed them more than once.

[CTyankee]

19. No, I just want mine gone. Hubby hasn't had a problem since he had them taken care of (MANY years ago) and has never had

a problem since. He had it done in the doctor's office (what I am hoping).

[NNadir]

20. If it was done in the doctor's office, it was almost certainly bands.