Hemorrhoid surgery: when and how is the procedure?

Hemorrhoids also known as hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids is a very common disease in adults. The symptoms that arise often interfere with activities. In fact, in some cases it can cause severe complications. If it is severe enough, the doctor will usually recommend hemorrhoid surgery. Come on, find out more about the following hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids surgery.

When should hemorrhoid surgery be done?

According to the Mayo Clinic website, hemorrhoids are inflammation and swelling of the veins around the anus. The causes of hemorrhoids vary widely, generally due to prolonged sitting habits, pregnancy, or lack of fiber intake.

The presence of inflammation in the veins causes pain and itching in the anus. Some of them may also experience symptoms of hemorrhoids, such as bloody bowel movements. This symptom of hemorrhoids indicates friction or swelling of the ruptured vein.

Fortunately, hemorrhoids can be treated in many ways. Starting from using ointments, taking medical drugs or using natural ingredients. Unfortunately, in more severe cases, this method is not effective enough to treat hemorrhoids, so surgery is needed.

Hemorrhoid or hemorrhoid surgery is usually performed when external types of hemorrhoids occur or when internal hemorrhoids have passed from the rectal wall to the anus.

Types of hemorrhoid surgery you need to know

There are two types of surgery to treat hemorrhoids, namely:

1. Hemorrhoidectomy

Haemorrhoidectomy is the most effective way to treat ambient that is severe and recurring. Haemorrhoidectomy will remove excess tissue that is causing bleeding. This hemorrhoid surgery can be done with local anesthesia combined with sedation, spinal anesthesia, or general anesthesia.

Most people will experience pain after this hemorrhoid surgery. You can take painkillers to overcome it. Recovery time is usually about two weeks, but it may take three to six weeks for normal activities to take longer.

2. Hemorrhoidopexy

Hemorrhoidopexy or referred to as stapling / clamps the hemorrhoid that is coming out of the wall of the rectum into the anus so that it can return to its place in your rectum and cuts off blood flow so the tissue will shrink and be reabsorbed

Hemorrhoid surgery recovery time is faster than hemorrhoidectomy. You can also return to work sooner, which is about seven days after the operation. This procedure is also less painful.

How is the hemorrhoid surgery procedure done?

Hemorrhoid surgery, also known as hemorrhoidectomy, will be performed for large internal and external hemorrhoids. Usually, this type of hemorrhoids has passed from the wall of the rectum to the anus, so it must be treated further.

This hemorrhoid operation can be done under local anesthesia combined with sedatives. In some cases, spinal or general anesthesia is also performed, depending on the individual patient's condition.

In fact, hemorrhoids are a condition in which the veins become inflamed and swollen, making them look like lumps around the anus and rectum. Therefore, in the surgical procedure that will be carried out is to remove the excess and inflamed part.

Usually, the doctor will perform surgery on the lump, then tie the veins in the hemorrhoid so that bleeding does not occur. This hemorrhoid operation is done using a knife (scalpel), a tool that uses electricity (cautery pencil), or laser.

What happens after hemorrhoid surgery?

Right after the hemorrhoid surgery, while you are still under anesthesia, you will be given a local anesthetic which should last 6-12 hours. This is done to reduce pain after surgery.

If after surgery, your condition improves and has fully recovered from the effects of the anesthesia, then you will not need to be hospitalized and be allowed to go home.

However, before going home, the patient usually has to make sure he can urinate first. Some people may have difficulty urinating, this is due to swelling of the tissue or pelvic muscle spasm.

Recovery after hemorrhoid surgery

Generally, the recovery process after hemorrhoid surgery takes about two weeks. However, if you want to recover completely and return to normal activities, recovery can take up to 3-6 weeks.

Many patients show that recovery from this type of surgery is very painful. Maybe some people still feel pain and discomfort for 2-3 weeks after the operation. However, most patients begin to feel better by the end of the first week.

Some of the problems that arise after hemorrhoid surgery are carried out, including:

Stool incontinence

This condition indicates that a person cannot resist the urge to defecate. Stool incontinence usually occurs after hemorrhoidectomy and can heal during the recovery period.

If you continue to experience these side effects of hemorrhoid surgery several weeks after surgery, be sure to tell your doctor.

Anal itching

Itching in the anus is very common during the healing phase after hemorrhoid surgery. This is a sign of recovery from the surgical incision or scar area.

Bleeding

Bleeding after hemorrhoid surgery is common, but the blood comes out only a little. The number will increase when you have a bowel movement, within 48 to 72 hours after surgery. However, within a few days the bleeding will stop.

Infection

Operations that leave open wounds prone to infection. This occurs when the wound is exposed to bacteria or dirt. Infection usually occurs accompanied by symptoms of fever and the presence of pus in the wound. This condition must be treated immediately so that it does not get worse.

The doctor may order painkillers, such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen. In addition, your doctor may also recommend laxatives, stool softeners, or both to prevent hard bowel movements.

You also need to eat high-fiber foods to soften stools, and drink enough water during the recovery process (about 8-10 glasses per day). This is important to do to avoid constipation, which can make hemorrhoids recur.

You may feel pain when bending over, squatting, moving from a standing to a sitting position. Minimize painful activities as much as possible, especially in the first few days after surgery. You also need to keep the surgical wound clean.

A follow-up examination with a surgeon will usually be carried out 2-3 weeks after surgery to check the results of surgery.