Having this done tomorrow after quality of life diminishing over the course of 2-3 yrs. Will be glad when it's done, but very nervous. Has anyone had this done? What is the recovery like? Doc told
Me it wouldn't be that bad but I'm skeptical

I've never had one but had a friend, years ago, who was a great story teller (so description may be embellished) that said his first bowel movement, post-op was like "passing a flaming cannon ball wrapped in barbed wire".

As I said, years ago-I'm sure things have changed for the better.

My buddy had one done about 6 mos ago. He said it sucked. But after the recovery said worth it.

Considering I bled through my pants at an archery tourney last week I have to imagine it will be worth it. It's the first couple bowel movements that have me super worried

tandy miller said:

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Considering I bled through my pants at an archery tourney last week I have to imagine it will be worth it. It's the first couple bowel movements that have me super worried

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While you're on the can, just remember that this too shall pass.

Seriously, though, good luck - I'm sure once you're over the recovery hump it will be totally worth it.

tandy miller said:

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Having this done tomorrow after quality of life diminishing over the course of 2-3 yrs. Will be glad when it's done, but very nervous. Has anyone had this done? What is the recovery like? Doc told
Me it wouldn't be that bad but I'm skeptical

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He flat out lied to you. It's horrific. I'm telling you the truth, so you aren't surprised.

Do not get behind the meds; the pain is nothing like you've ever experienced.

I assume he is prescribing Norcos, and if so, the bottle will likely say take 1 every 6 hours. That is not remotely enough. You will need to take 2 every 4 hours and then you will take 4-200mg Ibuprofens with each meal every day for at least the first week. You can start dialing it back somewhere around day 8 or so. Yes, that sounds like a lot of drugs, and it is but still within safe limits and trust me you will need it.

If he is having you take more than what the bottle says, make sure you are proactive about refilling your prescription because you will obviously deplete it faster than the official prescription says.

Regarding IslandAg76's description of your first few bowel movements, that's pretty accurate and to respond to his comment: No, it hasn't gotten any better.

I've had back and shoulder surgery, so I thought I was a veteran. Lol. Both of those were cake compared to this. CAKE.

Good luck. Seriously. Once you get on the other side, you will be glad. That's all I can say about it.

They gave me tramadol. I've never experienced pain remotely like this.

tandy miller said:

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They gave me tramadol. I've never experienced pain remotely like this.

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I have no idea how Tramadol compares to hydrocodone so not sure how that will look. If that's all they gave you, I would be prepared to supplement with Ibuprofen and Tylenol. I ended up creating my own pain med schedule using AI so I could manage my pain without going over daily limits and factoring contradictions.

Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be used together in an alternating schedule, but I'm not sure what the basis of Tramadol is and if it might conflict with one of these.

Worst pain ever! I sat in a hot bath for a week. Then my stitches burst and had to go back and do it again!

This is unbearable. I'm going to call doc as soon as they open for some different meds or more tramadol… I'm having to take every 4-6 hr

You absolutely should.

tandy miller said:

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This is unbearable. I'm going to call doc as soon as they open for some different meds or more tramadol… I'm having to take every 4-6 hr

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Sorry, man. Yes, you need better drugs and ask your doctor about supplementing with OTC drugs. The elaborate schedule I put out there was prescribed by my doctor and then I tweaked it as I weaned myself off of Norcos (hydrocodone + Tylenol). Meaning as I wound down the Norcos I added more Tylenol to offset.

The con of hydrocodone is that it makes you constipated so you are offsetting surgical pain with pooping pain. It's a devil's bargain.

Haven't had this procedure, but Tramadol is not enough for something like that, imho. Maybe they are worried about the constipation part of stronger narcotics?

I have had a UPPP and tonsillectomy as an adult. My doc said it was the third most painful surgery you could have. No idea how that is rated, but it was two weeks from hell and I imagine yours could very well be above it. I was on liquid hydrocodone and probably could have used something stronger, but maybe they don't come as a liquid and there was no way I was swallowing a pill.

I did learn something during the worst of the pain. May seem kind of stupid or obvious. Finally figured out that regardless of the narcotics, I was just going to be in extreme pain, only the level varied with the meds. That I just had to roll with it, and eventually it would go away. We are so conditioned to expect there is a pill that will make it go away. Something about accepting that fact made it easier to deal with. Also found that things seemed to improve in small plateaus every three days.

Good Luck! Don't get behind the pain and don't be afraid to ask for more painkillers or stronger ones! Too many doctors seem reluctant to give them out as needed because of all the bad press and idiot users.

Absolute said:

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I did learn something during the worst of the pain. May seem kind of stupid or obvious. Finally figured out that regardless of the narcotics, I was just going to be in extreme pain, only the level varied with the meds. That I just had to roll with it, and eventually it would go away. We are so conditioned to expect there is a pill that will make it go away. Something about accepting that fact made it easier to deal with. Also found that things seemed to improve in small plateaus every three days.

Good Luck! Don't get behind the pain and don't be afraid to ask for more painkillers or stronger ones! Too many doctors seem reluctant to give them out as needed because of all the bad press and idiot users.

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I figured the first part out at abt 3:00 am after i took 2 tramadol and felt loopy but still had paim. I called
Dr, they said it's just a painful recovery. I suspect they won't give me more meds bc I disclosed marijuana use and they assume im an addict. I dont know but it's frustrating.

That ridiculous. Use does not equal addiction. No harm in asking strongly. If you know you are not an addict.

Never had the procedure myself, but here is some advice that colorectal docs I have worked with have given.

Before you have a BM, rub a little shaving foam, like Barbasol on your rectum. It actually does help a little.

Always use wet wipes.

Regardless of what pain medicine you're prescribed, ALSO do Tylenol 650mg and Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours.

Even with the above, it still hurts. There's nothing out there that will make it pain free.

Still waiting on my first poop.

Fml I would be eating nothing but smoothies in anticipation of that first BM. Sorry my guy.

Harder opioids def can cause constipation so maybe that's why they wanna try and avoid it? I'm not sure. Not a doctor just stayed at a holiday inn express.

Just curious did doc offer you any other options like ligation/ laser / pph/thd? Or was only option to go under the knife

Sorry you're going through this Tandy! I hope you get some relief soon. Fwiw I really enjoy reading your post. Not this one so much but love your adventures! Give Chester some pats from me.

lazuras_dc said:

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Just curious did doc offer you any other options like ligation/ laser / pph/thd? Or was only option to go under the knife

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They were too bad for ligation. Tried it last yr and it didn't work

IslandAg76 said:

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I've never had one but had a friend, years ago, who was a great story teller (so description may be embellished) that said his first bowel movement, post-op was like "passing a flaming cannon ball wrapped in barbed wire".

As I said, years ago-I'm sure things have changed for the better.

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Can confirm. Holy ****

tandy miller said:

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IslandAg76 said:

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I've never had one but had a friend, years ago, who was a great story teller (so description may be embellished) that said his first bowel movement, post-op was like "passing a flaming cannon ball wrapped in barbed wire".

As I said, years ago-I'm sure things have changed for the better.

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Can confirm. Holy ****

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Less holy and more satanic brimstone coming directly from backside.

My description to friends was: If your butt was the portal to hell, it felt like Satan himself was trying to enter our plane of existence through it.

Worst pain I've ever experienced. Literally saw stars.

How are we doing today?

AgsMyDude said:

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How are we doing today?

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Still rough. Today may be theorist's day now that I've started having BM's. Hoping to start getting better in the next day or 2.

Planned on working tomorrow but don't see that happening

tandy miller said:

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AgsMyDude said:

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How are we doing today?

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Still rough. Today may be theorist's day now that I've started having BM's. Hoping to start getting better in the next day or 2.

Planned on working tomorrow but don't see that happening

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My doc told me not to even attempt work until the 2 week recovery was over. It does get better. You should be feeling better around day 8 or so.

Am I going to be in this level of pain until day 8? When does this stop? I can still hardly walk

tandy miller said:

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Am I going to be in this level of pain until day 8? When does this stop? I can still hardly walk

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First week is hell on earth. Second week eases up. Takes two weeks for pain to fully go away.

Today seemed like it was the worst day so far. Keep telling myself it's gotta peak at some point lol

new fear unlocked.

hang in there, tandy.