Sphincterotomy

[livingwith]

I’m only 3 days into this but I have some insight for anyone embarking on this adventure.
First, I would not have this done without staying over night in the hospital. I did and my only regret is that I didn’t stay two.
Morphine was my friend and the day after surgery was very pleasent due to it. Oh there was still pain when passing gas but nothing like what would be experienced at home without the Morphine.
Waking up day two at home found my first bowel movement. The movement was...Read the full article

[lashlaroo]

So much for a day by day account.

It is amazing how consumed one is with this recovery.

Discomfort and pain are a constant.

3 days after the surgery and following my recovery regimine with laxitives, soft bland foods, sitz baths etc I had a major complication.

As I was soaking on my sitz bath, one of the true reliefs of the recovery treatment, I unloaded a massive blood clot. I wasn't too alarmed. I finished my bath and went to sit down for a while.

After about 15 minutes of sitting an overwhelming, intense bowl urge hit and I didn't make it the 15 feet to the bathroom before another huge clotted deluge of blood exited. Thankfully I've been wearing tightlegged boxer briefs and the mess was containted.

This same thing happened about 4 times and I decided to go to the emergency room.

Good for me was the fact that the surgeon who performed my operation was the on call at the ER.

She had to go in and repair a tear in one of the incisions. While she was there she stiched all of the areas where hemorrhoids had been removed and where anal fissure was repaired.

So I found myself back in the hospital with a morphine pump this time.

I had decided that I was staying the week in the hospital this time and once again I am glad I did.

All went as expected through the week but I had expected some bowel movement by wednesday, two days following the second surgery. I told the doctor I wasn't going home until I had a bowel movement.

So on Thursday morning I was administered stool softener, along with my miralax and two tblspoons of Milk of Magnesia.

By about 3pm I had a sudden bowel movement, and then another, and then another. In the doctors words "we might want to be careful about what we wish for".

So Friday night was discharged from the hospital.

To avoid constipation I take any pain meds with water containing fiber. I keep my miralax and spread a "daily" dose out over the course of a day. I chew everything excessively.

Still the pain that follows a movement seems to be unavoidable.

I get straight into the shower following a movement and douch with very warm water, this soothes the pain and helps avoid the dreaded wiping.

When I do wipe it is only with baby wipes. They are soooo much softer than toilet tissue.

More to come as I progress along.