Things To Consider Before Going For Piles Surgery!

Piles or haemorrhoids refer to swollen blood vessels inside and around the rectum and anus. Depending on where they are located, they can be classified as internal and external haemorrhoids. Small haemorrhoids can be treated with medication, but surgery may be recommended for larger Hemorrhoids. This is known as a “Hemorrhoidectomy” and involves cutting out the enlarged veins. This surgery may be performed in many different ways.

Preparing for a Hemorrhoidectomy
A Hemorrhoidectomy is typically a one day procedure and does not require hospitalization. The patient will be given instructions that need to be strictly followed before the procedure. These include:

1. No food should be eaten after midnight on the night before surgery. If any medication is to be taken, it should be accompanied by only a small sip of water.
2. All makeup and jewellery must be removed before surgery.
3. The patient may be asked to take a mild laxative or enema on the night prior to surgery.
4. Talk to the doctor about any medication currently being taken for diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, heart conditions etc. In some cases, the medication may need to be stopped for a few days prior to surgery.

When the patient comes to the hospital for surgery, he or she should wear loose, comfortable clothes with an elastic waistband. Any medication being taken should be brought along. While the patient will be discharged the same day, he or she will not be allowed to drive back home. Hence, the patient must also make arrangements for someone to drive them home.

Surgery Procedure
This surgery can take anywhere from half-an-hour to one hour. After consulting the doctor, the patient will be given a hospital gown and medication through the intravenous route to help them relax. Various devices are attached to the body to track the patient’s heart rate, pulse etc. The patient is then put under general anaesthesia for the surgery. After the surgery, the patient will be kept in the recovery room for an hour. They are then transferred to another room and given something to eat and drink.

Hemorrhoidectomy Risks
This procedure has a high success rate and is considered relatively safe. However, as with any other procedure, there are a few risks involved. Before undergoing this surgery, the patient must be well aware of these risks. They include:

• Reaction to anaesthesia
• Bleeding
• Infection

Some patients may also experience trouble passing urine. This is because the pain caused by surgery makes it difficult for the patient to relax. However, there is nothing to worry as these risks can be effectively managed by the doctor.