Myths And Misconceptions About Hemorrhoid Surgery
Hemorrhoids can be quite painful to live with. Initially, you may just have pain when you defecate. But over time, the pain can start occurring more often, even when you're just sitting still. The good news is that you don't have to go on living this way. There are multiple ways to treat hemorrhoids, including hemorrhoid surgery. However, you do want to make sure you're armed with the right facts when seeking care. Here are some common myths and misconceptions about hemorrhoid surgery.
Myth: Hemorrhoid surgery is the only treatment for hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid surgery is an incredible option for patients with serious hemorrhoids and for hemorrhoids that don't respond well to other treatments. However, it is not the only treatment option, and your doctor is likely to recommend trying other treatments before you resort to surgery. Some of these treatments include topical creams and gels, dietary changes, and sclerotherapy.
Myth: Hemorrhoid surgery is a complex, invasive procedure.
Hemorrhoid surgery is a surgery, but it is not nearly as invasive or complex as some other surgeries, such as abdominal or orthopedic surgeries. There is some pain as you recover from this surgery, but that's mostly because the tissues being operated on are sensitive. Most patients go home the same day as their procedure. And sometimes, you won't even be put under general anesthesia for hemorrhoid surgery — you may just be given a local anesthetic to numb the area, plus a sedative to keep you calm.
Myth: Hemorrhoid surgery will keep you from getting hemorrhoids in the future.
Hemorrhoid surgery should resolve the hemorrhoids you have currently. However, it will not prevent you from developing more hemorrhoids in the future. To prevent the hemorrhoids from returning, your doctor will likely recommend some lifestyle changes. You may need to eat a higher-fiber diet, drink more water, and avoid lifting really heavy weights.
Myth: Hemorrhoid surgery is only for older folks.
If you are a young person with hemorrhoids, you may shrug off the possibility of hemorrhoid surgery because you've heard it's only for older people. Indeed, most hemorrhoid surgery patients are older, but that's just because hemorrhoids get more common with age. If you have hemorrhoids that are serious or that don't respond to other treatments, surgery is a good option, whether you're in your 20s, 30s, or beyond.
Talk to a surgeon to learn more about the hemorrhoidectomy surgical procedure. It's a common, well-established treatment that brings relief to many.
