Posts by Michael Diaz4

Anal reconstruction becomes necessary once hemorrhoids prolapse and can't be pushed back in manually. Personally, I think HAL is the superior choice because it's such a more modern approach. There aren't even pain receptors in the specific area where the procedure is performed. If you catch it during the early stages of the condition, they don't perform RAR, so there's virtually no pain or time taken off work.

Dana Baker2 said:What does reconstruction actually entail? And when is it necessary versus when is it not?
From what I gather, there’s no cutting involved in either THD or DG-HAL. So how does the reconstruction part even happen?
To be honest, I haven't quite wrapped my head around the difference between these two methods yet. 😁
Sorry if I'm pestering you, but since you've been through the whole ordeal yourself, you're clearly the best person to ask.

RAR stands for rectal area reconstruction. It's typically performed for third or fourth-degree cases. You can find plenty of detailed info and helpful links about it here on the forum. As for THD (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization), it's an incredibly safe and successful minimally invasive approach. It's an outpatient procedure, so you're in and out in one day. Using Doppler technology, the surgeon pinpoints the exact location of the hemorrhoidal arteries, ties them off, and repositions the tissue where it belongs. This technique doesn't remove any tissue; instead, it essentially acts as a "de facto" reshaping of the perianal area. Patient satisfaction is generally very high, and most people are back at work and enjoying life again within 24 to 48 hours.

DG-HAL + RAR method: Much like THD, this method is designed to target the root cause of enlarged hemorrhoidal nodes—treating the actual source of the disease. By placing transanal sutures, the arteries supplying blood to the diseased node are tied off. This is done using a Doppler ultrasound probe to precisely locate the terminal branches of the hemorrhoidal arteries. Since the sutures are placed in a section of the rectum that lacks sensory nerves, there is no pain. Because there is no cutting or tissue damage, the function of the hemorrhoidal area remains almost entirely intact. To make things even more comfortable, the procedure is done under local or spinal anesthesia; general anesthesia isn't required. Patients go home the same day, and most can return to their normal routines within just a day or two.

Dana Baker2 said:Well, I’m officially facing the knife too. Grade III. One big one, two small ones. The creams aren't cutting it anymore, so surgery is inevitable. Needs to happen ASAP.
So I’m wondering, does any public institution besides Mercury offer THD or DG-HAL?
And for private clinics, is there anywhere cheaper than 10 grand?! 😁
Is anything more affordable over in Canada or Mexico?
This is unbelievable—it's like paying ten times the effort for half the result... 😲

By the way, the guy I saw for my exam claims he only recognizes Morgan-Milligan. He insists it's the only permanent fix and that all these "new" methods are unproven and will definitely lead to the problem coming back.
But after everything I've read here and on various other sites over the last few months, everyone seems to say that aside from horrific post-op pain, M-M practically guarantees a recurrence, unlike THD/DG-HAL where the success rate is 95%+.
Now you tell me to be smart. Why on earth were these new methods even introduced if M-M is supposedly the gold standard? 🤔
Or is it just a case of "every doctor praises his own horse" while the patient gets screwed?

HAL with the RAR addition when anal area reconstruction is needed is the most effective. Practically 100% success rate. Everything else is just nonsense...

Come on, at least they’ll give you the right cream...

Emily Watson62 said:I used Advil (one of $200) about four years ago and they really helped me. During that time, I was dealing with hemorrhoids. Most people assume if you have hemorrhoid issues, it means your digestion is irregular, but that wasn't my case at all. My bowel movements were perfectly regular; I just had occasional flare-ups, and Advil worked quickly to help. Advil is effective, but let’s be real—it’s a temporary fix, not a permanent cure. In the end, we see that even surgeries often aren't permanent solutions either. That was my experience. I paid $3833 Kate Allen35 for the surgery even though I only had stage II, and then had to shell out another $667 just to have the procedure repeated. If I had known surgery wouldn't be a long-term fix, I never would have agreed to it. I would have much rather invested that money into Advil, Daflon, and Fact cream (if I remember those names correctly—I might need them again soon). My advice to anyone considering private surgery (especially HAL-RAR) is to ask immediately if a follow-up procedure is included in the price. Surgeons claim it's highly successful, but they don't mention how common recurrence actually is—it's definitely higher than the 5% they claim. Then, they expect you to pay again, even though you already paid for a botched initial surgery. HAL and HAL-RAR can work, but sometimes they require multiple attempts, which is a huge hit to your wallet since almost no one gets a free redo. Only time will tell if they truly are a permanent solution.

Who performed your surgery? It would be good for people to know so they can avoid such an unskilled provider. A stage II issue can often be resolved without needing RAR. Also, is it possible you did something you weren't supposed to do, causing the recurrence? It might not even be the doctor's fault.

Nicholas Davis27 said:Okay, I get it. So, what are you actually recommending for hemorrhoids?

And besides that, what else can be done before finally seeing a good specialist doctor...

Nicholas Davis27 said:Could someone please help me out? Does anyone have experience with Advil tablets? I'm seeing some priced at $599 and others for $33. They both say Advil, but one brand is Himalaya—or I think it is. I don't quite get it. Is there actually a difference, or is there a catch somewhere? Thanks.

That won't do much for you. There aren't any scientific facts suggesting they actually work. They might help with regulating your bowel movements, sure, but you can manage that plenty of other ways without spending that kind of money.

Kate Kim7 said:Gentlemen, Christian Smith2 and Michael Diaz4, you're both absolutely right. When you look at all the terrible illnesses out there—surgeries that drag on for hours—this procedure really starts to feel like a minor thing. Michael, once I have a moment, I’m going to go back and read through all your old posts. The main thing is just getting through it so there aren't any more problems down the road.
Thanks again, everyone.👍
You just have to man up, grit your teeth, brace yourself, and get it done. 😁
Best regards, 😉

😁 You won't be sitting on it... if they perform the DG HAL, it's basically the gynecological position. How tough the RAR ends up being just depends on the stage... Just be prepared, it's a rough surgery, but the nurses at the clinic always tell me women handle it better. Personally, I handled mine like a champ because the pain I had before the surgery was so horrific that everything afterward felt like a breeze. Honestly, don't worry... My doctor even joked during one of my checkups, "Well, now you know what it's like for women giving birth..." So, I guess I've had that experience too...😁
Just stay calm. If the surgery is necessary, you can endure anything...

Kate Kim7 said:Christian Smith2 and Michael Diaz4, thanks for the info. It’ll be a huge help for me and everyone else who feels like this is the only way left. I just got my results back—they say I have stage 3-4 external hemorrhoids—and they want to schedule the surgery in about a month. I haven't quite decided if I'm going through with it yet. Honestly, the panic is starting to set in. 🤦🐔

Look, once I made it through, everything changed. Read about what I went through and you'll see—don't let the fear get to you. There's a solution for everything, and from a medical standpoint, hemorrhoids are actually pretty easy to fix these days. Will there be some pain? Sure. The HAL procedure can be tricky... but you can definitely handle it.

Christian Smith2 said:Here’s a bit from my own experience. I dealt with hemorrhoids that weren't necessarily painful, but there was significant bleeding and prolapse. It went on for quite a while. About three years ago, I had surgery at Mercury Hospital (performed by Dr. Ivanovic). They used the DG HAL method. That’s just shorthand for Doppler-guided ligation of the hemorrhoidal arteries. Basically, they tie off the spot where the arteries meet the veins. This stops the blood flow to the hemorrhoids. In my case, they also performed an additional RAR—essentially reconstructing that area by stitching and pulling back the tissue that had loosened and was protruding. It all depends on the stage of the disease. Full recovery takes about six weeks, which is also when you go in for the follow-up. The first few days are the toughest, but it gets easier from there. By week three, I felt pretty great. But most importantly, in these three years since the surgery, I haven't had any issues, even though those hemorrhoids used to seriously mess with my daily life.

That’s right. RAR is the reconstruction of the anal area. For stages one and two, you don't need the RAR, and the recovery time really depends on how bad the condition is. If you're dealing with stage four, the RAR is more extensive and the recovery takes longer. Smaller reconstructions mean an easier recovery. For the first two stages, there's no issue and no RAR required. With stage one, recovery is practically instant. After a couple of days, you're basically good to go...

Chris Johnson88 said:Are you talking about THD, the DG HAL-RAR method, or something else entirely?

DG HAL-RAR... That's what I'm thinking about...

Sophia Booth8 Asks:
If anyone actually manages to get rid of their hemorrhoids using Tylenol gel, please let me know. Post about it! Don't just stay silent. 😉 Help!
I'm talking about hemorrhoids that aren't inflamed.
Some people claim that grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids can actually recede, and even grade 4 can shrink—which honestly sounds pretty unbelievable to me without surgery, but... who knows?

No cream is ever going to actually get rid of hemorrhoids. That’s just the reality of it. Taking a conservative approach helps manage the pain and makes things more bearable, but it doesn't cure the underlying issue. For more details, take a look at some of the earlier posts here. If you want, feel free to dig through my previous posts too...

Chris Johnson88 said:That’s exactly what I was asking. Since I’ve basically learned how to live with them, is it actually better to just get rid of them altogether? I mean, whether it's through any method at all, would removing them prevent those polyps from coming back later or help lower the overall risk of developing colon cancer?

Look, you should really go see a doctor to have them take a look and give you some guidance on next steps. It doesn't necessarily mean you're headed straight for surgery. If there isn't a polyp involved, it’s really not a huge deal. Plus, there are plenty of different ways to treat hemorrhoids these days. I'm not trying to play salesman here by claiming one specific method is the absolute best—though if you dig through the older posts, you'll know exactly which one I'm talking about. I've actually posted quite a bit on this myself, so definitely do some reading to get informed. There's no reason to panic; it's nothing alarming, but having a specialist check it out is definitely the smartest move.

Dana Baker2 said:Look, creams aren't exactly a miracle cure. Some work better than others, sure.
But I’ve been scrolling through this thread, and I kept seeing people say Tylenol works wonders.
Not necessarily for post-op stuff, but just for regular use. Apparently, it's the best for easing things up. If it's an analgesic, shouldn't I actually feel some relief on the lump? Honestly, it feels like I didn't even put anything on.

If you can track down Lidoproct in Canada, that would be your best bet. Everything else is pretty much useless.

Dana Baker2 said:Can anyone share their experience using Tylenol gel?
I was reading recently about how this procedure is absolutely brilliant—how there’s nothing better out there. No creams, no ointments, nothing else compares. It provides maximum relief. Someone even mentioned that after just a few days of using the treatment, their hemorrhoids had completely cleared up!
I've tried all sorts of creams up until now—the last one was some blend with herbal oils—but honestly, nothing really works. So, I figured I'd give Tylenol a shot since everyone says it's such a lifesaver.
I've been using it for three days now and I'm feeling absolutely zero effect! Not only is the discomfort still there and the hemorrhoid hasn't shrunk at all, but when I actually apply the gel, I don't feel anything whatsoever! 🤔 No anesthesia, no cooling, nothing like that. How is that even possible? I'm assuming this gel has some kind of numbing effect, so you should at least feel something when you apply it to the area?
It's not like I'm dealing with anything major; it just gets annoying every now and then, so I apply some cream. But honestly, with all the ointments I've used so far, I should at least feel that immediate numbing effect. And you know, the lingering relief varies depending on which one you pick. But with this gel? Absolutely nothing.
I took a look at it. It hasn't expired; there's still another year left on it. 😁

That's just a short-term analgesic. I used it for massages twice a day following my surgery, and for the topical stuff with the anesthetic effect, I used Lidoproct.

There’s really no need to be afraid. You can live a perfectly normal life for a long time without any issues. Honestly, jobs where you're constantly on your feet are often linked to hemorrhoids. It all comes down to evolution—I think I mentioned that somewhere before. After dealing with hemorrhoidal disease for a prolonged period, polyps can sometimes develop. Those can be serious because they're considered precancerous, so they definitely need to be removed.

Well, looks like we're all just orphans now, left without the godfather of hard rock metal... 🙄
RIP

If it stops doing the trick, switch it up...

Keep going with the Lidoproct; people use it even after surgery...

jadebadger54 said:Thanks for the quick reply, Michael Diaz4 👍

I’m doing everything by the book. Usually, I don't run into much trouble, but this is only the second time things have gotten a bit rough. I just battled a nasty bout of the flu that knocked me out for ten days, and right as I finally recovered, this flared up down there. 🤣
Maybe it's some kind of lingering reaction to the flu. 🕺
Last time, I know I caught a cold, and that triggered a flare-up too.

My diet is generally pretty healthy—lots of grains, veggies, and stuff like that. I've cut out peppers entirely (I don't eat them often, but I do love them).

Hopefully, it clears up once I finish this tube of Lidoproct.

Here is why people often deal with hemorrhoids after the flu or heavy colds: high temperatures dehydrate the body, which makes stools harder (basically keeps you "backed up"), and that acts as a trigger for things to get worse. Just watch your stool consistency and keep applying the cream like you have been. Keep the area clean throughout the day and you should be fine. Good luck...

Andrew Hernandez6 said:Dear Sir,
I deal with chronic hemorrhoids, though they haven't been as intense as they used to be. A few years ago, it was determined that I have internal and external hemorrhoids, grade II and III. At that time, sclerotherapy or ligation was suggested as an option if things got worse. Fortunately, I didn't run into major issues then. Occasionally, I’d experience some bleeding along with pain and itching, but it was brief and manageable.
Over the last couple of months, however, things have ramped up. The bleeding is more frequent, even if it's still relatively light. Then, about a month ago, a hemorrhoid basically "exploded." It flooded the toilet, and since then, there has been significant bleeding with every bowel movement. This has caused me immense stress; I’m constantly tense, I’ve lost my appetite, and my bowel habits have become irregular because I'm psychologically bracing myself. My stools are hard and inconsistent, and I'm struggling to eat enough. I saw a surgeon who confirmed the hemorrhoids and recommended hospital admission to handle it, though he didn't specify the exact procedure, so I declined. I had blood work done a few days ago, and while I'm not anemic yet, I am right on the borderline—my levels are significantly lower than they were just two months ago. Once a day, I sit in a bath with Epsom salts, which is absolute torture since sitting in cold water for 15 minutes is miserable, and I apply Fact cream. But nothing is helping. Every single bowel movement bleeds. Truthfully, for the last three days, the amount has lessened slightly, but it's still quite a bit. I just bought some Flogocid, so I’ll give that a shot.
I would really appreciate some advice. What should I do? Is there any way to fix this without surgery, and how much longer can I go on like this?

No, no, please don't do cold baths... You need warm water. In fact, it can be quite hot. Some people even suggest making the water as hot as you can stand, and that's when you add treatments—though I'm not entirely sure which ones (I think people here mentioned something involving horse chestnut or similar, but please double-check that so I don't give you bad advice). Dr. Oz also recommended warm baths, though I can't recall the specific additives he suggested. Your bowel movements MUST be regular and soft. They shouldn't be liquid, but they definitely shouldn't be hard. Look for teas to help with regularity, or try eating prune compote and things like that. And please, see a doctor to have this looked at properly. If they recommend staying in the hospital to get it handled, you should stay.