Hemorrhoidectomyis a surgery used to treathemorrhoidswhen symptoms are severe orconservative treatmentsfail to provide relief.
Hemorrhoid surgery recovery takes time and requires changes in diet and activity to help you heal properly.
Pain medications and stool softeners may also be involved.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Fortunately, hemorrhoidectomy has a high success rate.
Hemorrhoid Surgery Recovery Timeline
Recovery from hemorrhoidectomy can last anywhere from four to eight weeks.
After one to two weeks, you should be able to return to normal activities.
However, you still need to avoid activities that require a lot of effort.
Full recovery with no pain is usually achieved withinone to two months.
Activity
Certain activities need to be restricted during recovery from a hemorrhoidectomy.
These include any activity that places undue pressure or movement of theanal sphincter.
Rapid or extreme movement of the anal sphincter can disrupt stitches and initiate the wound.
In fact, it actually helps to walk during early recovery.
Doing so increases circulation and prevents the pooling of blood in the injured tissues.
If you do need to sit, it often helps to have a donut-shaped pillow to sit on.
Be sure to get one that is soft and properly sized.
One that is too large and hard can cause the buttocks to spread and stretch the anal sphincter.
Diet
The main dietary goal following a hemorrhoidectomy is the avoidance of constipation.
Hardened stools place extreme pressure on the surgical site during bowel movements.
Most are because of inadequate fiber intake anddehydration.
Stool softenerswork naturally with the body to ease bowel movements and have fewer side effects than strongerstimulant laxatives.
They are also less likely to cause diarrhea, which also places undue stress on surgical wounds.
Some people add things like Epsom salt to a sitz bath, but plain water works best.
The drugs are also intended for occasional, short-term use as they can cause stomach ulcers if overused.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled two to three weeks after your hemorrhoid surgery.
It is important to keep the appointment to ensure that the wound is healing properly.
Things to Avoid
With the proper treatment, you should recover from a hemorrhoidectomy without incident.
Drink plenty of water and avoid straining on the toilet.
Doing so can help prevent future hemorrhoids.
Exercise can also decrease constipation by stimulating the bowels.
Even a 15-minute walk can help.
Twisting exercises and toe touches also promote regular bowel movements.
Not all hemorrhoids can be prevented, but following these simple recommendations can greatly reduce the risk.
What Is the Most Common Complication After Hemorrhoidectomy?
The most common complications after hemorrhoidectomy are pain, bleeding, and difficulty urinating.
As with any surgery, there is also a risk of infection.
Over-the-counter pain medications and a sitz bath can help relieve pain.
Drinking plenty of water and eating a high-fiber diet can keep stools soft and prevent constipation.
Stool softeners can also help.
Continue eating a fiber-rich diet with plenty of water even after you’ve recovered.
Along with exercise, these can help keep hemorrhoids from coming back.
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