Posts by Michael Diaz4

Elizabeth Price85 said:Here’s the short version: you know I had my surgery on April 13th, and for ten days, everything was perfectly fine—recovery was smooth, no pain, no bleeding. I had some minor digestive issues, but those cleared up too. Then, on Holy Saturday—since I was feeling great and had been lying around too much, I actually overdid it a bit—I spent the whole day cleaning the house. I got pretty worn out, and to top it off, I sealed my fate by straining a bit too hard in the bathroom that evening (it’s just a lifelong habit of mine, honestly). I went to bed thinking everything was okay.

On Easter, I had a wake-up call straight out of a movie 😲, though there wasn't any bleeding during the day. I managed to get ahold of Dr. Ivanovic, who was on vacation (he wasn't back until Tuesday). He told me that bleeding can happen up to three weeks after surgery—though my gut was telling me otherwise because, frankly, there was A LOT of blood—and advised me to rest and head to the hospital if things took a turn for the worse. Well, the bleeding stayed away all through Easter, until about 10:00 PM, when I noticed some bright red blood while using the bathroom.

Early on Easter Monday, I woke up, went to the restroom, and realized I was bleeding heavily again. I went to wash my face, felt dizzy, and blacked out. Thank God my dad heard me collapse. He and my mom rushed me to my room and called 911. The paramedics took me to the local hospital near our place, where I waited to be seen. They examined me and claimed there was no active bleeding. They tried to start an IV in the ambulance, but they couldn't find a vein and ended up bruising both of my arms.🙄 Basically, they were going to send me home. They figured since there wasn't acute bleeding, it was just an isolated incident. My mom insisted they take a closer look, so they sent me to the internal medicine department. I waited there for two hours, felt lightheaded again, and didn't finally get an IV until noon.🙄
They checked me out there too—no blood visible, and they performed a rectoscopy (the start of a colonoscopy)—but they couldn't find the source of the bleeding. Then they sent me back to surgery to let them decide. Those doctors were rolling their eyes at me, though; apparently, the big joke of the morning was, "Oh, you had that done at a private clinic, so where is your primary surgeon now?" If my mom hadn't pushed, they would have just sent me home. Finally, at 4:00 PM, they saw me on the surgical ward. They ran blood work—it showed things were getting a bit worse, but since they couldn't see active bleeding, they just kept me under observation. There was no bleeding at all through Tuesday, and they wouldn't give me a transfusion because they seemingly didn't believe how much I had lost (every time they checked, everything looked clean down there).

Tuesday morning, no more blood. They mentioned they might discharge me, which made me so happy. I went in for an exam around 9:00 AM, only to find blood on the gauze again (not a massive amount, more like what you'd see on day three of a period). The doctor examined me and said, "I don't see the surgical site or the source of the bleeding." I thought, *Great.* But then he says, "Go upstairs, we're taking you to the OR to figure this out." A theory emerged that this had nothing to do with hemorrhoids or the surgery itself, but rather something higher up in the intestines or stomach; they were worried about internal bleeding and sepsis. For context, I hadn't eaten anything on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (they finally gave me breakfast on Thursday). Anyway, there was no room in the OR, so we had to wait until Wednesday. But then, on Tuesday night, I had to go to the bathroom (pressure from a bowel movement), and the blood started dripping again. I blacked out once more. That finally got everyone moving; they pumped me full of IV fluids and, eventually, blood.😳 (In total, I received 2 liters.)

Anyway, since Tuesday evening, there hasn't been a single drop of blood. I’m recovering; my blood work is still a bit weak, though it's improving. My blood pressure is still sitting at 100/60, and I’m pretty pale and underweight, but they finally decided I was okay enough to head home. In the end, they gave up on the operating room (since I was honestly too weak for anesthesia again) and moved away from the theory that this had nothing to do with hemorrhoids—because if it were anything else, things would have taken a turn for the worse with pain, fever, or sepsis. But we still don't know what actually triggered all of this. Whether we ever find out is the big question.

Karen Thompson10, please don't apologize. This isn't your fault. We still don't have answers as to why this happened (these kinds of complications are truly rare; maybe I just haven't had much luck 🤣). I'm not blaming anyone.
I keep telling myself that this isn't the worst thing in the world compared to what other people face—like battling various cancers or unbearable pain—and that I probably played a part in this myself. So now, even though it's hard and the last thing I feel like doing, I’m just going to lie here and focus entirely on rebuilding my strength and immune system (59 kg at 178 cm is definitely way too low 😁). As for the doctors, I don't have a clear take yet. I know nobody likes "fixing someone else's mess," and they couldn't even agree among themselves on how to handle my case. It makes sense, really, since none of them wanted to take full responsibility for me. I'm still undecided about the surgeon; I don't want to blame him, but he did let me down in certain ways (I'll have to settle that with him directly).

It is strange that they can't pinpoint the cause of the bleeding. I hope you won't need a Dr. House to solve this and that everything turns out fine. From what you wrote, it sounds like you put yourself through a lot of strain. You really shouldn't be overexerting yourself after surgery. Also, forcing yourself when you go to the bathroom isn't good. You mentioned earlier that you had trouble with bowel movements after the procedure. Once things start moving, you should just go naturally without straining too hard. Since you were pushing yourself... I suspect it might be linked to the hemorrhoid surgical site. Though, it is odd that they didn't find anything during the exam. Just try to regulate your bowel movements, drink plenty of fluids, watch your diet, and don't strain yourself. Good luck...🙂

Everything seems fine on my end now. Honestly, I don’t think it’s wise to just sit around right after a major surgery and act like nothing even happened. That’s why I didn't run into any post-op issues—I actually listened to my doctor. He’s a professor, too, and I have nothing but respect for him. The hospital was top-notch as well. When you're dealing with serious procedures, patience is everything. It really baffles me that Jeremy Kern wasn't given any specific advice regarding the recovery period. That feels like where things went wrong, and I truly hope everything is alright now. Wishing everyone the best...🙂

Michael Martinez8 said:So I picked up some cream and I'm changing my diet, too. I have an appointment at the doctor's this Tuesday, but honestly, I'm freaking out about this thrombosis thing. What even is that?

Look, it doesn't necessarily mean you're dealing with a blood clot, but if you want to be absolutely sure, go see the doctor. That color could suggest a clot, but it isn't a guarantee. Thrombosis is never a good sign—it can be pretty dangerous. If a clot starts moving, it can head straight toward one of your vital organs. That’s how you end up with a heart attack. However, it might not be all doom and gloom. It's rare for things to go that way with hemorrhoids because the circulation in that area is already poor anyway, so it doesn't always mean a piece of a clot is going to break off. Bottom line: see your doctor. I won't play guessing games or claim for certain that it's a thrombosis. It's just that blue color that looks suspicious to me...😉

Michael Martinez8 said:Guys, please help me!!!
It happened literally overnight—external hemorrhoids just popped out. They're purple, one is pretty big, and I have two smaller ones plus some little spots. This is my first time dealing with this. I’m wondering how I can use diet to get rid of them. Even if I have to drink 2 liters of milk a day, just tell me what to do. I'm thinking about seeing a specialist because it stings and hurts, and honestly, I'm terrified :O. Can someone describe their experience with an exam? Does the doctor just look, or do they actually insert something? Please answer quickly, this is gross.

That purple color suggests it could be a thrombosis. You really need to see a doctor immediately...

Karen Thompson10 said:So, I had my final checkup today following the DG HAL RAR procedure. The doctor is happy with everything and told me I shouldn't have any more issues! Phew. If only it were that simple...

On another note, they mentioned their equipment for the DG HAL RAR broke down. They aren't expecting repairs for about two months, which means anyone signing up for the waiting list now won't be seen until September. Just a heads-up regarding Chase... in case anyone is wondering.

I went in for my follow-up yesterday. Everything looks good, and I can finally sit up after 45 days. I have another checkup in a month to monitor some external skin thickening that should fade away over time...🙂

boldcobra60 said:Can someone please tell me what the best foods are—and more importantly, what to absolutely avoid—after hemorrhoid surgery? Everyone keeps preaching "light meals," but that’s so vague. What does that actually mean in practice? Is it just about a specific diet, or is there more to it? Can I still have different kinds of meat, sauces, or even pasta? Has anyone here actually gone through this? I'd love to know what your daily meals looked like and how long you had to stick to a strict regimen. I'm honestly at a loss regarding what to cook and what is strictly off-limits. I would be so incredibly grateful for any help. 👍

Here is the content from post no. 1719.
Like I told you before, just take it one step at a time. Start with soups—thin ones at first, then maybe something a bit heartier the next day. Tea and crackers are safe bets too. Honestly, semolina is great for this, and cottage cheese works well. Once you're feeling a bit more stable, you can slowly transition back to regular meals, but make sure you’re taking some Benefiber. Stick to things like spinach, Swiss chard, or broccoli. Broccoli is actually really good for you right now. Here's a tip: simmer a beef shank and use that broth to make a nice soup with some broccoli and pasta. Avoid dairy for now; wait at least ten days before you touch milk or cheese. They cause bloating, and if you get gas, that pressure against your large intestine wounds is going to be incredibly painful. Also, stay far away from cabbage, kale, or beans. They bloat you too. Even peas are off the table for a while—basically, if it causes gas, don't eat it. Anything else that isn't heavy, isn't fried, and isn't grilled (definitely no BBQ for now!) should be fine, as long as you take your Benefiber. You can take the Benefiber, give your system a three-day break, and then start the cycle again. It only works on your gut, so there aren't any side effects. Oh, I almost forgot to mention—fruit compote is okay. Fig jam or even cooked dried figs are excellent choices. Apple jam is fine too. Stick to apples; skip the pears for now.
You could do that, but maybe go with some whole wheat bread instead? Put a little more effort into the soup, too...

boldcobra60 said:Can someone please tell me what I should actually eat—and more importantly, what I absolutely shouldn't touch—after hemorrhoid surgery? Everyone keeps mentioning "light food," but that’s so vague. What does that even mean? Is it just about a specific diet, or is there more to it? Can I still have different kinds of meat, sauces, pasta...? Has anyone here gone through this? I'd love to know what your daily meals looked like and how long you had to stick to it. I'm honestly lost on what to cook and what to avoid. I would be so incredibly grateful for any help. 👍

Just scroll back a few pages. You'll find exactly what was recommended to me and what I ended up eating...😉

Look, people aren't allowed to sit down for a while. How long that lasts really depends on the specific surgery and how intense it was. For me, it’s been an incredibly long road—I can't sit for at least 7 days, which actually puts me at over six weeks since my procedure. I'm sure for some folks it might be a shorter window, but you definitely shouldn't be sitting right after surgery. Jeremy Kern had what I remember being a minor thrombosis, which basically means a lot of those internal veins took a hit. Once they stitch everything up, you just can't sit for at least 20 days—that's just my best guess, anyway, and it could easily be longer. Wishing everyone the best of luck...

Elizabeth Price85 said:I just got off the phone with my doctor, and he really helped calm my nerves. He told me there’s no need to panic. Apparently, bleeding can happen up to three weeks after surgery. I asked him, "But is it supposed to be this much?" He explained that the stitches might be breaking down or absorbing, and if I'm having harder or more frequent bowel movements, they might have pulled at a bit of the mucosa, which causes the bleeding. He thinks it should stop on its own.

Nothing is hurting, and I'm not actually bleeding constantly—it only happens when I'm on the toilet straining a bit. I feel a little better now, so I'm not heading to the ER just yet.

And...? Are you feeling any better?

Elizabeth Price85 said:I spoke with my doctor, and he really helped calm me down. He said there’s no need to panic. Apparently, bleeding is possible for up to three weeks after surgery. I asked him, "But is it supposed to be this much?" He explained that the stitches might be breaking down or absorbing, and if you're dealing with harder or more frequent bowel movements, they might have pulled at a bit of the mucosa, which causes the bleeding. He thinks it should just stop on its own.

There’s no pain, and I’m not actually bleeding constantly (it clearly only happens when I sit on the toilet and strain). I feel a bit more relaxed now, so I won't head to the ER just yet.

Hmm, that sounds plausible. No need to freak out. My discharge papers mentioned that minor bleeding during the recovery period is possible, but they told me to call the clinic immediately if there's heavy bleeding or a large amount of bright red blood. When I was dealing with firmer stools—basically when the stitches were coming out—I noticed some tiny traces of blood myself, but it was barely noticeable. I interpreted it the same way: the stitches were dissolving, and that caused, again, almost imperceptible traces of blood. Most people wouldn't even see it. I want to emphasize again: don't sit down. Take some gauze—one of those 5x8 cm or 10x10 cm pads—and tuck it between your cheeks (pardon the phrasing, but that’s what they told me at the hospital). I’m still using Lidoproct both inside and out, and I massage the inside twice a day with Morphine gel. And thank God, no problems... Just keep an eye on things. And keep the wound clean with a shower frequently. A clean wound heals better. Good luck...🙂

What happened to Jeremy Kern seems like a classic mistake caused by sitting down too soon. I really hope everything turns out okay.🙄 Poor thing went through so much, and now there’s the worry about having to go back in for more wound care...😢 A bit of advice for anyone recovering from hemorrhoid surgery: avoid sitting down after the procedure. You have to listen to your doctors. I had my surgery 5.5 weeks ago and I'm still not allowed to sit. After my second follow-up, my specialist told me no sitting for six weeks, so I'm just waiting on my next check-up in seven days. When you sit, it's the lowest part of the body—the pressure is just too high, and it's not recommended. Jeremy, I truly hope things settle down; I feel so bad seeing those complications happen...😢 Hang in there...👍

Elizabeth Price85 said:HELP!

I woke up this morning in a pool of blood.😲 My underwear, my pajamas, the sheets—everything. Nothing actually hurt, and since I'm on my period right now, I just assumed it was menstrual blood. But there was this massive clot on the pad.

Then a moment ago, I rushed to the bathroom and realized I'm bleeding rectally.😲 It's bright red. I tried calling my doctor, but no answer (of course, it's Easter!).

Has anyone else dealt with this after a General Electric + RAR procedure? I had surgery 10 days ago.
Please, someone talk me down. This isn't supposed to be something serious, right?

Get to the hospital immediately. Run, don't walk. There shouldn't be any bleeding, especially if it looks like a Butterfly... a vein must have burst.

Look, there’s a massive difference between stage 3 and a neglected stage 4. It’s night and day. > is going to have to deal with this just like I am, and for an operation like this, you need a legitimate hospital and a proper surgical suite. That squeaking sound you're hearing? It's probably just the Doppler equipment, but honestly, if we're talking about complicated surgeries, I wouldn't dream of heading to > for that. A specialist is a specialist for a reason. If you're just doing a basic General Electric procedure where everything is caught in the early stages and there's no recovery period to worry about, fine. But for a complex stage 4 where they have to make traditional incisions and clean out the ulcers? That’s serious business. I won't even be able to sit down for at least two sessions after that...

fadedstag1 said:I'm from Asheville. I'll probably head there next week, once I check in with my company. Honestly, it throws me off a bit that he mentioned being in Pittsburgh when that's actually much closer to me. I'm feeling a little lost on what to do. If General Electric is operating in Pittsburgh and it's significantly cheaper, what then?

Don't take the risk. The place where you were treated is run by a regular tenured professor from the University of Sarajevo. He’s also the Head of Abdominal Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Regardless of everything else, it's better to stay with him than go to Pittsburgh, which is just a small town compared to this. It isn't even that far for you. When you're driving back home later, just lean back and relax—you'll be fine. And the service? Fantastic. You'll see if you go. The nurses are available 24/7, and the professor himself comes by for rounds twice a day, along with the clinic director. The suites are incredible. Leather furniture, a kitchenette, private bath, actual art on the walls (not the sketchy kind), a Plasma TV, digital satellite... though you won't be thinking about any of that during your first night. I was just enjoying those perks myself a few hours ago while getting ready to head home. Just plan on being there for at least six weeks. It'll fix you up for good. I went there on the recommendation of a satisfied former patient, and I haven't regretted it once. Good luck, whatever you decide...🙂

fadedstag1 said:I went in for an exam with Dr. Candace today. Diagnosis: Stage IV hemorrhoids.
He told me he’ll need about two hours to fix it. Probably similar to what you dealt with, Michael Diaz4?

🙄 What can I even say...😢 Get ready for a rough ride. But look on the bright side—it fixes everything once it's done. It’s been five weeks since my own surgery, and I still can't sit down comfortably. You'll likely spend two nights in the hospital. Where are you coming from? If you aren't from Boston, that drive home is going to be brutal. You can't sit, and you have to stay incredibly clean. You made a good choice, though. The guy is a professor and highly respected in his field. When is your procedure scheduled?

Elizabeth Price85 said:So, around 6:30 PM, it finally hit me again, and I had quite a bit of diarrhea. My stool was finally soft/mushy too.😉
Hopefully, I cleared most of it out; I feel lighter now. It’s not pushing anymore, just feels irritated and sore.

Dr. Williams actually called me a little while ago just to check in and see how I was doing. He suggested I head into the hospital for an enema if I hadn't had a bowel movement yet. We agreed to talk tomorrow evening to decide if we need to do that or if today was the end of it. Really kind of him.🙂

Well, like I told you before. Stick to soups—thin ones at first, then maybe something a bit thicker the next day. Tea and crackers. Cream of wheat is great for you. So is grits. Then, slowly transition back to regular food while taking some Nexium. Eat things like spinach, Swiss chard, or broccoli. Broccoli is good. Try simmering a beef shank; make a soup using that meat broth and some broccoli and pasta. Don't jump straight back into milk; wait about ten days for that. Milk and cheese cause bloating, and if you get gas, it puts intense pressure on those large intestine wounds. Avoid cabbage, kale, and beans. They bloat you. Peas aren't good either—just stay away from anything that causes gas for a while. Anything else that isn't binding and isn't grilled (no BBQ for now!) should be fine, as long as you take the Nexium. After that, take a three-day break from the Nexium, then you can start it up again. It stays in the gut and doesn't have side effects. And that’s pretty much it... I forgot to mention you can have fruit compotes. Fig jam or cooked dried figs are great. Apple sauce is okay too. Stick to apples, skip the pears...😉
You can have bread, but go with whole wheat and maybe soak a bit in your soup...

lonepilot23 said:I didn't have to deal with a catheter, so that’s a small win at least.

I’ll take your advice and stay on top of cleaning and monitoring the wound more often. Honestly, I've been wearing a pad constantly because there's some drainage—kind of like mucus, with a slightly unpleasant scent.

How long does this phase last? How long did it take before you felt like yourself again? Also, is it better to stay moving and avoid sitting directly on my butt? Sitting right on the spot is still the most painful part for me!

Thanks in advance for the help, best regards👍!

The wound is draining. It sounds like they had to do some work on the inside too. Your bowels will clear out, which is totally normal. I can't say for sure how long it'll take for you specifically. Just don't sit down. Don't even think about sitting until those stitches fall out on their own. You shouldn't need a pad, either. Just grab some 2x3 inch or 4x4 inch gauze pads and tuck them between the "cheeks." 😁 It's also better if you don't let the treated area rub against itself. Make sure to wash the area several times a day...

lonepilot23 said:Hey there!

I just realized this subforum is actually for women's health issues, but, well, I'm a guy.

I had surgery for external hemorrhoids four days ago at a hospital in Washington, D.C.—specifically last Friday—and I finally got home yesterday. I'm not entirely sure which specific method they used, but it was done under full anesthesia, and the surgeon was Professor Dr. Chala.
The main issue for men is that urinating becomes difficult and painful because of the irritation and prostate swelling, plus the lingering effects of the anesthesia.
Yesterday—that was three days post-op—I had my first bowel movement. Honestly, I have never experienced pain or burning like that in my entire life. It felt like being stung by wasps. Literally.
Today, I had another stool. It’s still rough, but the pain is significantly less.

They told me this is normal and that everything feels swollen, regardless of whether the hemorrhoids were removed or not. A little blood in the stool is also expected. After that, I'm supposed to wash with water and clean the area with a potassium permanganate solution.

My question is: should I be cleaning the wound with the solution only after having a bowel movement, or multiple times a day? (Usually, wounds are cleaned and dressed once a day.)

I'm worried that if I overdo it, the solution might cause more irritation.

How long does the recovery usually take?

Best wishes to everyone!

You really ought to wash the area several times a day. It helps with the healing process. I don't know about the potassium permanganate specifically—some people gave me similar advice—but my doctor told me to just rinse the wound constantly. Multiple times a day. In the beginning, I was doing it every two or three hours. Let's face it, the area isn't exactly clean, so you need to keep it washed. If you have gas while the wound is healing, a tiny bit of discharge might happen, but it's trace amounts, almost unnoticeable. That's why you need to rinse the affected area frequently. At least, that's what my doctor advised. You can use soap too; baby soap is probably best since it won't dry out your skin or cause irritation.
Did you have a catheter? If you had one, that makes it much harder to pee easily...

Elizabeth Price85 said:It feels like things are finally moving. I’m ending up in the bathroom every thirty to sixty minutes, just a little bit at a time each visit.🙄 Now my skin is actually starting to hurt from the irritation. I haven't used a suppository yet :P 😦 I've already had two cups of herbal tea.
I honestly didn't realize getting my bowel movements back on track after surgery would be such a struggle.😢

You probably have to hold it back too much. Once you feel that urge, just run to the bathroom and let it happen naturally. Don't strain and don't sit there on the toilet for half an hour. That's just going to make the irritation worse. You need to stick to light foods—soups first, then maybe something a bit thicker the next day, then soft foods, and slowly work your way back to a regular diet. But taking Linex is non-negotiable. Avoid those "cleansing" teas, too. You really can't afford to deal with diarrhea right now. Your stool needs to stay soft...

fadedstag1 said:Does anyone here know anything about those hemorrhoid pads being advertised? Some "innovator" named Edward over in San Francisco supposedly came up with them, so I was wondering if anyone has actually tried using them?

That's total bullshit, man. Just go straight to the Mayo Clinic website—or better yet, look at what the experts at top-tier American hospitals recommend for dealing with hemorrhoids and how to actually treat them. There are pads used internally, sure, but doctors handle that; you shouldn't be doing it yourself. My concern is that you could end up with bleeding after just a couple of days. That’s not the right way to handle this. Honestly, this guy claiming to have "invented" some special pads sounds like a complete fraud. According to the Mayo Clinic, warm baths can really help. Go see a doctor as soon as possible. Don't go shoving things up there on your own...