Hemorrhoid Removal

What to Expect and How to Prepare for Your Operation

Hemorrhoidectomy: The surgical removal of hemorrhoids. Once you and your doctor have decided that you will benefit from this procedure, this page will help you to prepare for it.

How to Prepare

Before Your Operation

Remember:
No Aspirin

Things to Remember

Read the hemorrhoid pamphlet that was given to you by your nurse, or doctor. Ask any questions that you may have.
Do NOT take aspirin, Motrin, Advil or similar products for two weeks prior to your operation.
Have an adult available to drive you home from the hospital and stay with you the first night.
You cannot drive yourself, or take a taxi home from the hospital.

24 Hours Before Your Operation

Things to Do
Shower: using the antibacterial soap your nurse gave you, shower and soap your body. Do NOT use the antibacterial soap on your face and hair. (See directions attached to the soap bottle.) Use your regular soap and shampoo on your face and hair. Use clean towels to dry off, and put on clean clothes.

Notification of arrival time:
The pre-surgery nurse will call you by 5:00 p.m. the evening before your operation. If you are having surgery on Monday, the nurse will call you on Friday. If you do not hear from the nurse by 5:00 p.m. please call them at (206) 598-6334.

The pre-surgery nurse will tell you when to come to the hospital, and where to go. They will also remind you:

To not eat or drink anything after a certain time,
To have someone available to drive you home,
Whether you should take your regular medications. Medications that you should take the day of surgery: high blood pressure medication, thyroid medication, and seizure medication. Use only enough water to swallow your pills.

Diet: Eat and drink only clear liquids (liquids that you can see through) the day before your operation, such as: Jell-O, apple juice, tea, chicken or beef broth.

Bowel prep: You will be given a preparation to take the night before, and/or the morning of your operation. This will clean out your intestines so the doctors can do the operation.

After Your Operation

Questions?

Contact Surgical Specialties Nurse Advice Line:
206-598-4549
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
After hours call Paging:
206-598-6190
and ask them to page the resident on call for General Surgery, or your attending surgeon.

Call the Nurse Advice Line, or Your Doctor If:

You have continuous rectal bleeding.
Your rectal pain is not relieved by the pain medication, and you have tried all of the listed remedies.
You develop a severe headache from the NTG paste.
Your temperature is greater than 100°F or 38°C, or you have chills.
You are sick to your stomach and throwing up.
You have concerns that cannot wait until your follow-up appointment.

Precautions and Self-Care to Speed Your Recovery

Medicine given during and after your operation will affect you. For 24 hours after your operation it is important that you do NOT:

Drive
Drink any alcoholic beverage
Operate any machinery
Travel alone
Sign any legal papers
Be responsible for the care of another person.

Incisions: All of your incisions will be inside.

Diet: It is very important to drink lots of fluids after your operation to keep your stool soft. Start eating a regular diet as soon as you can tolerate it. Eat foods high in fiber. The best source is breakfast cereal with a fiber content of 15% or greater. Fiber content is listed with the nutrition information, often found on the side of the box.

Pain Management: Take your pain medicine as directed. It is very important that you take your stool softener as ordered to prevent constipation. Resume your regular medicines except for aspirin, or aspirin products. Aspirin or aspirin-like medications can be resumed two weeks after your operation.

Your first bowel movement: will be very painful. Sit in a warm bathtub of water to
have your first bowel movement. It will help relax your rectal muscles, and decrease the pain.

Rectal bleeding: It is normal to notice blood on your toilet paper after you wipe your bottom. The first bowel movement may cause some irritation or bleeding. This is to be expected. Your body will heal these areas.

Nitroglycerine Paste (NTG paste): You will be given a prescription for NTG paste. You will be instructed to dab a small amount on your rectal tissue after every bowel movement. The paste will help relax your rectal muscle spasms when you are trying to have a bowel movement. You should only use it as ordered. In larger doses this NTG paste can cause you to get a headache and also lower your blood pressure causing dizziness.

Sitting: Sit on your donut pillow to decrease pressure on your rectum.

Going Home: People are usually ready to go home the day of surgery. You will need a ride home.

<< back to General Surgery Clinic patient care index