Anal Surgery
Post-Operative Instructions
Pain Relief: The most important thing you can do following surgery to decrease your pain is to take sitz baths. You've been given a prescription for pain medication that should be effective in managing your pain. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Take it with milk and crackers at the very least. As your pain lessens, you can try Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 650 mg every 4 hours.
Dressing Care: You'll be discharged with packing overlying the surgical area. Allow it to remain in place until your first bowel movement. After that, you don't need to re-apply any type of dressings but will need to protect your clothing from the expected drainage. "Kotex" or women's panty-liners work well for this. Read "wound care" below, regarding keeping your incision clean.
Wound Care: Take a shower or sitz bath after every bowel movement and at least twice a day if your bowels move or not. Taking a sitz bath before a bowel movement may actually help you to relax and move your bowels easier. Maintain this bathing routine for 2 weeks after your surgery. Some bloody drainage is to be expected from the area. Do not apply any topical medication or soap directly to the operative area. Flushing with warm water is the best treatment to keep the area clean.
Bowel Movements: The sooner you can return to regular bowel movements, the less pain and discomfort you will have. Drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits, vegetables, bran cereal, or whatever you know works for you. Take one teaspoon of Metamucil in a glass of water or fruit juice twice a day until your first post-op visit to our office. Also, take a stool softener (Surfak Liqui-Gek, Colace 50 mg capsules, or Phillips Liqui-Gels) two or three times daily as needed to maintain a soft bowel movement. (On the fifth post-operative day, you can stop taking the stool softener, but continue the Metamucil.) If you go 2 days without a bowel movement, take 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia. This laxative routine is just a general guideline that you can tailor to your needs. The idea is to avoid either diarrhea or constipation.
Activity: Take it easy tonight and pamper yourself! You may resume any activity that doesn't cause discomfort the day following your surgery. Walking may be more comfortable than sitting. In any event, avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. Use foam or inflatable rings (donuts) to minimize pressure on your wounds.
Please let us know if there is anything more we can do to make you more comfortable.
