Hi everyone. I found this message board a couple of weeks ago. It has been really useful to me while I've been debating whether or not to pursue a surgical route or not. I've been suffering for about 8 months now. I tried home remedy, botox, and the nifed ointment. Nothing has been able to heal this. I decided last week to just go ahead with the surgery. At this point, I've been suffering for so long, I figure it is the next logical thing to do. Lately the pain isn't unbearable, but it is still there. However, every single time I use the bathroom I notice blood.
My surgeon is a CRS and he is supposed to be a very good one. I am hopeful about this. However, I'm a little worried about the recovery from the surgery. I've read a lot of horror stories. I guess I will hope for the best.

I think any surgery carries some risk, but even just getting out of bed or driving a car has many risks also! Good luck!!

Chris - Good luck today; hope all goes well

Hey Chris, how'd it go?

hey all...literally just got in the door. They were incredibly backed up in the hospital so I was stuck there forever (5 hours!) just waiting for my turn at surgery. I feel great right now, of course I still have all the pain medication working on me. I know tomorrow is really when it all is going to hit- so I just plan to stay positive, take it easy, and chill in bed most of the day.
Thanks for the replies everyone! I will keep you updated.

Even one day post op you should feel lots better than you did before - soft stools and hot baths help

roughly 17 hours after surgery...
still doing pretty good. I'm trying to stay in bed as much as I can today. Already on my second sitz bath. I took a pain killer last night after the meds from the hospital wore off and one this morning. I think I am just going to use them today and then move on to tylenol. The pain from the surgery itself isn't really bad. It is sort of a dull steady pain. No bowel movement yet. I'd love for it to happen, so I can stop anticipating it so much. I am regularly taking Metamucil twice a day and a stool softener at night so I am expecting it to be tolerable. I've been noticing a little bit of bleeding on the gauze pads, but that is to be expected.
So far so good.

Good news - use Miralax if you need to get the stool going, prune juice/all bran also works and baby wipes are helpful.

48ish hour update-
pretty much no pain at all today. just a little discomfort. no pain meds all day. I was really exhausted all day though. Still haven't had to go to the bathroom. By tomorrow afternoon if nothing has happened I'm going to have someone run out and get Miralax as suggested.
- oh and thanks Bob for the response/advice.

Chris - That's great news. The BM will come - took me 48 hrs also. Use the Miralax for a few days - they have an off brand at Walmart called ClearLax that's less expensive. I'm still doing ok as well.