Hubby has had hemorrhoids for years and finally wants to have them taken care of. What are the latest techniques on having them removed? Do they even have laser surgery for this? Or is it like a regular surgical procedure? What can he expect? Recovery time? Any help is much appreciated!!
Has anyone had hemorrhoids removed by laser surgery?
Question posted by christineATU on 25 Sep 2010
Last updated on 19 March 2019
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
6 Answers
gursaini17
27 July 2018
I'm not sure about the laser treatment, but I had surgery where they cut the hemorrhoids off and it was absolutely terrible. It was impossible to poop and the pain was unbearable. I wasn't able to sleep at all, it was the worst pain I have ever experienced.
Inactive
23 Oct 2016
It's been years now! I hope your husband is good now. How did the surgery go? I'm thinking laser surgery is the most comfortable option too.
Skip2017
3 Aug 2017
Just seen this site. Wanted to ask if any of the people who have written about having LASER surgery for HEMMS has been and done it and if so where and how did it go. I've got external HEMMS and don't fancy EM being cut out!! But I can't find much info in UK!!
Nick_F
29 Sep 2011
I have had this surgery, in 2005, at a reputable clinic by an experienced doctor. I was a (relatively) healthy 36 year old at the time. I had multiple internal hemorrhoids removed. I hate to say this, but the recovery was very painful. It burned like hell constantly, movement was difficult, I was out of work for 2 weeks, and I had to use sitz baths alot. I lived alone, which was probably a good thing actually, as I did not want to be around other people. After about 2 weeks, it started to get better, and ultimately I am glad I did it as it did relieve the problem for a long while. However, the internal hemorrhoids came back.
I would suggest not doing this surgery unless you are going to make a commitment to lifestyle changes that will not bring the hemorrhoids back. I wish I would have thought of this, but I felt so good afterwards that I didn't feel the need to be careful. It really was a bummer when I felt the first new one come back.
I would also caution against using pain pills as much as possible after the surgery. They will be absolutely necessary at first, but taking them beyond a few days will seriously hamper the healing, as the narcotic will constipate you. I was addicted to pain pills at the time, and I took them for 2 weeks or more before I finally decided I needed to stop so I could finally heal. You would think I would stop because being addicted to pills was bad, but no, I stopped because I was so sick of the pain and discomfort, and just wanted to get back to work and be able to go to the bathroom without alot of pain. A normal person who only takes the prescribed amount of pain pills for a few days would probably heal a few days faster.
However, even for a week, it is no joke. Your life as you know it is over during the healing, as you lie on your side in relatively steady pain unlike any you have experienced before. Your butt is on fire, literally, as it has been burned by a "laser". Think about this. And going to the bathroom is the worst.
Sorry to be so disconcerting here, but I just want your husband to realize it is really unpleasant. I thought it would not be too bad, so my shock was real bad. I wish someone would have told me what the recovery is really like. The doctors that do this for a living do not want to scare business away, so they kind of downplay the reality. But again, worth it in the long run if he makes changes to his lifestyle, whatever they may be, to avoid getting hemorrhoids again.
Good luck!
Nick_F
1 Oct 2011
I just realized this post was from September 2010, over a year ago. I thought it was like from a few days ago. Oh well, I am a year late. Anyway, I hope this helps someone somehow. If your husband already got the surgery, then I would be curious what his experience was.
GandolfTheGrey
19 March 2019
Hi Nick,
Not sure if you are still active on this forum. I recently underwent through laser surgery. I had 3 internal grade 3 piles. My experience echoes yours. First two weeks were difficult, but managed to overcome by using pain killers and sitz baths. Now after 1 month of surgery, there is no pain, but it still hurts and bleeds when passing stool, although there is no pain after sometime. I am told that the piles will shrink on their own over next 6-8 weeks. I have stopped medicines after 2nd week, but still I am facing severe constipation. How much time did it take for you to completely heal and back to normal life? What did you do for constipation? My reading of other internet sites suggests that it takes anywhere between 1 to 2 months.
dmfdjttor57
25 Sep 2010
How nice to get all that info, he is a darling. Anyway Chris, my step brother, of whom i am guardian, had his done that way, easy, painless for the most part and the way everything is getting done these days, go for it!
Dede
christineATU
25 Sep 2010
Rajive is a very good friend. Great info! Regarding your step bro, what type of doctor? Internal Medicine? Proctologist? He'll be glad to get rid of them once and for all! Thanks for responding Dede.
dmfdjttor57
26 Sep 2010
Gosh Chris, i cannot remember, but it was where i took him for a colonoscopy, so it was the same Dr. that did that. I assume he had the colonoscopy and found the hemmoroids, or is he due for one??? We should not put that off, i'm going to get one this year, either before or after my hip surgery, but before 2012, how about you? Maybe you're too young, I am 52 or 3, never can remember, but know it's time. They should just remove them while doing a colonscopy if you asked, but either way, that is the Dr., the colon guy, the removed the guys with his laser, not a peep of discomfort complaint from my step brother Victor, who is Dev. Disabled, not sure if you knew that, but he is high level and certainly can let me know if it hurt him. Didn't. Good luck.
christineATU
26 Sep 2010
Jim (hubby) has diversticulitous and had a colonoscopy a few months before a major flair up of the divers. So it's been 15 months. That last bout of divers had him hospitalized for 2 days. Not sure why they didn't just remove them when he had the colonoscopy. Great info Dede. So if he's due for one soon, he'll ask about "killing 2 birds with one stone."
Rajive Goel
25 Sep 2010
Hi Chris, have no personal experience but I guess laser surgery would cure this, we here perhaps have some kind of natural remedies too, I shall research & let you know. Wish a speedy recovery to your Hubby, take care & wish him well!
Rajive Goel
25 Sep 2010
Hemorrhoid Treatment - Self-Care at Home
Symptomatic treatment for hemorrhoids can be done at home.
Warm Sitz Baths
* Sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15-20 minutes may help decrease the inflammation of the hemorrhoids.
* It is important to dry off the anal area completely after each Sitz bath to minimize irritation of the skin surrounding the anus.
Dietary Changes
* Increased fluid intake and dietary fiber (roughage) will decrease the potential for constipation and lessen the pressure on the rectum and anus during a bowel movement, minimizing further swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. Dietary fiber supplements may also help bulk up the stools
Stool Softeners
* Stool softeners may help but once hemorrhoids are present, liquid stools may cause inflammation and infection of the anus. Your health care practitioner and pharmacist are good resources to discuss their use.
Activity Suggestions
* Individuals with hemorrhoids should not sit for long periods of time and may benefit from sitting on an air or rubber donut available at most local pharmacies.
* Exercise is helpful in relieving constipation and in decreasing pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins. Individuals should be encouraged to have a bowel movement as soon as possible after the urge arises. Once that urge passes, stools can become constipated and straining with a bowel movement may occur.
Over-the-Counter Medications
* Many creams, ointments, and suppositories are available for symptom relief and may be used for comfort. However, they do not "cure" hemorrhoids. Often they contain a numbing medication or a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation and swelling.
Medical Treatment
Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoids
* Most prolapsed internal hemorrhoids can be pushed back into the anus but occasionally your care provider may need to reduce them by gently pushing them with constant pressure.
* If the hemorrhoids remain swollen and trapped outside the anus and nothing is done about it, the hemorrhoid tissue may not receive enough blood and can become infected. In such situations, surgery may be required to resolve the problem.
Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
* Thrombosed external hemorrhoids can be painful and are associated with a hard lump that is felt at the anus and cannot be pushed back inside. Most often the clot within the hemorrhoid will need to be removed with a small incision.
* After local anesthetic is placed under the skin surrounding the hemorrhoid, a scalpel is used to cut into the area and the clot is removed. There is almost instant relief of the sharp pain but a dull ache may continue.
* There may be some mild bleeding from the hemorrhoid for a couple of days. Sitz baths and over-the-counter pain medications may be recommended.
* The use of a rubber or air rubber donut may help with the pain as well. Preventing constipation is also a priority.
Surgery
A variety of surgical options exist for persistent pain or bleeding.
Rubber band ligation: Rubber band ligation of internal hemorrhoids can be done in the office. The surgeon places a couple of tight rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoidal vein causing it to lose its blood supply. There may be some fullness or discomfort for 1-2 days after the procedure and a minor amount of bleeding may be experienced.
Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy describes a procedure when a chemical is injected into the hemorrhoid causing it to scar.
Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to scar and harden internal hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidectomy: Hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure done in the operating room with an anesthetic agent (general, spinal or local with sedation) where the whole hemorrhoid is removed (ectomy=removal). This is the most aggressive approach and there is a markedly decreased chance of the hemorrhoids returning. However, there is also an increase in the complication rate.
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy: Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is the newest surgical technique for treating hemorrhoids, and it has rapidly become the treatment of choice for third-degree hemorrhoids. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a misnomer since the surgery does not remove the hemorrhoids but, rather, the abnormally lax and expanded hemorrhoidal supporting tissue that has allowed the hemorrhoids to prolapse downward. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is faster than traditional hemorrhoidectomy, taking approximately 30 minutes. It is associated with much less pain than traditional hemorrhoidectomy and patients usually return earlier to work.
Regardless of the surgery, Sitz baths and dietary suggestions for increased roughage are usually recommended.
Follow-up
Warm Sitz baths, plenty of fluids and increased roughage are usually recommended. Hemorrhoidal pain is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Stool softeners may be recommended by your health care practitioner. The person should contact their health care practitioner if they develop increased rectal pain, bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, or vomiting after hemorrhoid treatment.
Prevention
The risk of hemorrhoids can be decreased by eating a high fiber diet, staying well hydrated, getting regular exercise, and trying to have a bowel movement as soon as possible after the urge arises.
Chris, hope the material will help you & Hubby to understand hemorrhoids & its treatments? Wish him well from myself, have a nice week end!
christineATU
25 Sep 2010
Thanks for the excellent info Rajive. I will be sure to copy this info for him. This was really more than I expected. Your a good friend.
Rajive Goel
27 Sep 2010
Welcome, Chris, hope Jim gets well soon/cured, please do keep me posted, both of you & family are in my prayers each day, take care.
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22 Sep 2016
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Inactive
25 Sep 2010
I checked this out. The laser technique is very accurate and the recovery time shorter. It also allows for less medication and less discomfort.
christineATU
25 Sep 2010
Thanks Pam. I'm hoping to find a member who had it done. You know, personal experience and stuff. Is your dosage comfortable yet? Hopefully it won't be too much longer for you. Keep your chin up. It will work out.
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