Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?
in Health ·
Hey. I just had surgery for stage III and IV hemorrhoids at Kroger. Went with them specifically for the hal-rar method after reading about it on this forum. Might as well share the experience. I’ve dealt with hemorrhoids for years, but I didn't bother seeing a doctor until they hit stage III (when they start prolapsing on their own or need help being pushed back in). BIG mistake. If you notice any changes in your bowel movements—especially blood—get checked out immediately. I got a referral from my GP for a specialist, and the exam itself was quick and painless. They confirmed stage III. They also ordered a colonoscopy, which is mandatory to rule out polyps or anything more serious. I was scheduled for three months out (yeah, really). Things got worse, so I paid for a private colonoscopy instead. Cost for the colonoscopy under anesthesia
$567 (not including the 900). This was the cheapest option I could find in Washington, D.C. I saw the anesthesiologist at the hospital, got all my results, and was scheduled for surgery in early January 2013. Given my condition, that wait was a disaster. Luckily, I managed to squeeze into a slot within 16 days because doctors have cancellations or gaps in their schedules if you play your cards right. The surgery itself took about an hour and 15 minutes, so they definitely had their work cut out for them. I was admitted at 7:15 AM, in the OR by 11:00, and back in my room by 12:50. The afternoon was fine since I was still knocked out. VERY IMPORTANT: ask if they are doing just HAL (that's what my paperwork said, but they actually did both HAL and RAL) or both. It makes a huge difference in how much pain medication they give you overnight. Don't wait for the pain to hit; insist on meds as soon as possible. I got my first shot just as the anesthesia was wearing off, but I waited too long to ask for the second one. By then, the nurses were changing shifts, and I ended up having a hellish night. The pain was brutal. The next morning was just as bad; I was sweating and felt like I might pass out while waiting to be discharged. Once you get home, call your doctor and ask for the heavy-duty painkillers (alongside the antibiotics you'll definitely need). I had five bowel movements over the first week, and every single one was pure agony. For the first one, I tried drinking bitter salt solution. Don't do that. Use Dulcolax instead. I also recommend fiber probiotics (I used Loperamide). I barely ate anything, mostly just soup. Today’s movement was almost normal, though there were traces of blood. There’s been blood every time since the surgery. Things are improving, though I'm waiting for the doctor to confirm. Don't expect to go back to work in 2-3 days like some people claim; it'll be closer to 10. My doctor gave me at least 14 days off. It’s painful and miserable, but you eventually forget it once the hemorrhoids are actually gone. Sorry for the long post, hope it helps someone. Note: from what I heard, recovery is much easier if they only perform HAL, so keep that in mind when deciding on surgery for stage III.
$567 (not including the 900). This was the cheapest option I could find in Washington, D.C. I saw the anesthesiologist at the hospital, got all my results, and was scheduled for surgery in early January 2013. Given my condition, that wait was a disaster. Luckily, I managed to squeeze into a slot within 16 days because doctors have cancellations or gaps in their schedules if you play your cards right. The surgery itself took about an hour and 15 minutes, so they definitely had their work cut out for them. I was admitted at 7:15 AM, in the OR by 11:00, and back in my room by 12:50. The afternoon was fine since I was still knocked out. VERY IMPORTANT: ask if they are doing just HAL (that's what my paperwork said, but they actually did both HAL and RAL) or both. It makes a huge difference in how much pain medication they give you overnight. Don't wait for the pain to hit; insist on meds as soon as possible. I got my first shot just as the anesthesia was wearing off, but I waited too long to ask for the second one. By then, the nurses were changing shifts, and I ended up having a hellish night. The pain was brutal. The next morning was just as bad; I was sweating and felt like I might pass out while waiting to be discharged. Once you get home, call your doctor and ask for the heavy-duty painkillers (alongside the antibiotics you'll definitely need). I had five bowel movements over the first week, and every single one was pure agony. For the first one, I tried drinking bitter salt solution. Don't do that. Use Dulcolax instead. I also recommend fiber probiotics (I used Loperamide). I barely ate anything, mostly just soup. Today’s movement was almost normal, though there were traces of blood. There’s been blood every time since the surgery. Things are improving, though I'm waiting for the doctor to confirm. Don't expect to go back to work in 2-3 days like some people claim; it'll be closer to 10. My doctor gave me at least 14 days off. It’s painful and miserable, but you eventually forget it once the hemorrhoids are actually gone. Sorry for the long post, hope it helps someone. Note: from what I heard, recovery is much easier if they only perform HAL, so keep that in mind when deciding on surgery for stage III.