Hemorrhoid Surgery: A Viable Option?

There are several hemorrhoid treatments available for the treatment of hemorrhoids, including hemorrhoid surgery (hemorrhoidectomy).  Small hemorrhoids can sometimes be treated without surgery.  Signs of hemorrhoids are persistent itching, anal bleeding, pain, blood clots and infection.  If the hemorrhoids are small they can be treated with such things as stool softeners, laxatives, suppositories, medications warm baths and a high fiber diet.  Hemorrhoids of a more moderate size can often be treated by lasers (burns them off), liquid nitrogen (freezes them off), placing a rubber band on them to cut off blood supply so the "die" and fall off (rubber band ligation) and injections (Sclerotherapy) chemical injections around and into the hemorrhoid that shrinks and destroys the hemorrhoid.  If you are suffering from larger hemorrhoids, though you may have to undergo hemorrhoid surgery. 

If non-surgical removal techniques did not improve your hemorrhoids to a point you're comfortable or they bleed often and excessively or cause you a lot of pain there is a surgery available as an option.  This surgery is not without risks but they are not very common.  They include excessive bleeding, infection and the general risks of anesthesia.  Reactions to anesthesia include reactions to the medication used, heart problems and breathing problems. 

You may be asked to stop taking aspirin and other drugs that lower your bloods clotting time a few days or be asked to stay on a special diet for a few days before the your surgery.  You may also have take laxatives and/or enemas to prepare your lower digestive tract for the procedure. 

Like any surgery, there is some pain and discomfort afterwards that responds well to pain medication.  You will also be given stool softeners and told to avoid straining during bowel movements.  Eating more fiber and drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day will help you with the discomfort and also makes stools easier to pass.  Soaking in warm baths can also help you heal and feel more comfortable.  Complete recovery takes about two weeks.