1- 1 Activity
• You may resume activity gradually beginning shortly after surgery. You should begin walking the night of surgery or the following morning and continue to increase as you are able. Increased activity reduces the risk of blood clots, and improves breathing to prevent pneumonia.
• Avoid lifting, pulling, and strenuous activity as recommended by your doctor.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements or when urinating.
• Most people are able to return to work and other activities around 7 to 10 days after hemorrhoid removal surgery. Full recovery may take 2 to 4 weeks.
1- 2 Diet
• After 2-3 days of surgery, add high-fibre foods in your diet. It would help ease your bowel movements and minimize the chances to get hemorrhoids again.
• Have a bland diet including bananas, plain rice, applesauce, dry toast.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Use stool softener or mild lexatives so you don’t have to strain.
• You are also advised to take plenty of fruits and vegetables. This will help ease the pain after surgery and the bowel movement.
1- 3 Wound Care
• The most important part of caring for your wounds after hemorrhoid surgery is keeping the anal area clean and dry.
• After hemorrhoidectomy, Sitz baths should be done 3 times a day and after any bowel movement. This involves sitting in warm soapy water to clean the area. Showering after every bowel movement is also effective. You should avoid excessive wiping, as toilet paper may irritate the skin or incisions around the anus. Moist toilettes or baby wipes are preferred.
• Bloody and / or mucous drainage and stool leakage is common for the first several days after hemorrhoidectomy and may last up to a week or more. You will probably want to place gauze or absorbent material such as feminine napkins over the area to protect your underclothes.
• If you notice redness spreading onto the surrounding skin, develop fever, or have severe amount of bleeding or bleeding that lasts for more than a week, you should contact your surgeon.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
1- 4 Pain Management
• Pain can be fairly severe after hemorrhoidectomy, particularly with bowel movements. You will be discharged with pain medication, typically a mild to moderate strength narcotic, depending on the type and extent of surgery you had.
• You may be given a topical pain relieve cream or gel.
• Pain with bowel movements will be limited by ensuring you have regular, soft bowel movements that do not require prolonged sitting or straining. See below for bowel regimen.
• Ice packs applied to the anal area may reduce swelling and pain.
• If you have discomfort while sitting, try sitting on a soft pillow or donut-shaped pillow to lessen pressure on your wound.
References
http://www.augusta.edu/mcg/surgery/midds/patient_education/hemorrhoid_surgery.php
https://www.healthgrades.com/procedures/recovery-after-hemorrhoid-removal-what-to-expect
