If you suffer from painful hemorrhoids that have not responded to more conservative treatments, then surgery may be the best option. A hemorrhoidectomy can alleviate pain in the long-term. However, the recovery period does come with some discomfort, pain, and inconvenience. Here are some tips to help you navigate this recovery period so you can finally be pain-free.
1. Eat a soft, high-fiber diet.
Sticking to soft foods will help keep your stool soft, which will reduce pain during your recovery period. Also, make sure you eat foods that are high in fiber. Whole grains like oats and brown rice are good choices. Fruits and veggies, with the skin left on when possible, are also good sources of fiber. Make sure you're drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, too.
2. Take pain meds before the pain gets too bad.
The best pain medications to take after hemorrhoid removal surgery are NSAIDs. These work by relieving inflammation, which is to blame for a lot of the post-surgical pain you'll experience. Take the medications before the pain gets too bad; they work better as a preventative. Ibuprofen can be taken every 4–6 hours, and naproxen can be taken every 8–12 hours.
3. Do some light exercise.
You may not feel like doing anything other than sitting on the couch. However, doing some light exercise will help reduce your pain. Exercise increases circulation, which helps take down the swelling in your anal region. You don't want to lift anything heavy or go for a run, but some gentle walking will be so beneficial. Challenge yourself to take a 5-minute walk every two hours, or try taking a morning and evening walk around the block.
4. Use sitz baths.
You probably took sitz baths before surgery in an attempt to ease your hemorrhoid pain. Well, the same baths can be really helpful post-surgery. Do not add any Epsom salts to the bath unless your surgeon advises that you do so. Just use cool water. You can sit in the bath for 10 minutes every few hours, or as often as needed. Make sure you use new, clean water each time to prevent infection.
With the tips above, you can recover from your hemorrhoid surgery more effectively. Talk to your surgeon for more tips and information on your hemorrhoidectomy surgical procedure. They can let you know what has worked well for other patients in your position.
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