GL Surgical Logo Horizontal Transparent
Make Appointment
Back

Pre / Post-Care Piles Surgery

  • Home
  • Pre / Post-Care Piles Surgery

Table of Contents

Piles Surgery Recovery At a Glance

  • Hospitalisation: 1-2 days
  • Walking: Same day
  • Medication: Painkillers 3–7 days
  • Meals: High-fibre diet; plenty of fluids
  • Shower: Day after surgery
  • Wound Care: Keep area clean
  • Flight: 1–2 weeks
  • Back to Work: 1–2 weeks (depending on pain and job)
  • Exercise: Light activity after 1 week; avoid heavy lifting 4–6 weeks
Pre / Post Care

Pre / Post-Piles Surgery Care In A Nutshell

  • Piles surgery (also known as haemorrhoidectomy) is a medical procedure to remove haemorrhoids.
  • You will be required to fast for at least 6 hours before your haemorrhoid surgery.
  • Before your procedure, do not apply anything near or to your rectum, such as douches, enemas, or haemorrhoidal cream.
  • You should make sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.
  • Inform our doctor before the procedure of any medication or supplements that you are taking.
  • Follow our doctor’s instructions post-surgery to ensure that you have a fast recovery.
  • Downtime: No physical or strenuous activities for 2 weeks. You may be required to stay in the hospital for a day or two after surgery to monitor your recovery. It takes 7-10 days to recover from a piles surgery.

What Is Piles Surgery?

Piles surgery (also known as haemorrhoidectomy) is a medical procedure to remove haemorrhoids, swollen and inflamed blood vessels in the rectum and anus. There are two types of hemorrhoidectomy: open and closed. In an open haemorrhoidectomy, our doctor makes an incision in the tissue around the haemorrhoid and removes the offending blood vessel.

In a closed hemorrhoidectomy, our doctor removes the haemorrhoid with staples or stitches without making an incision in the surrounding tissue.
Both types of surgery typically require a hospital stay of one to two days but are considered safe and effective ways to treat chronic piles.

What Conditions Is Piles Surgery Used To Treat?

Piles surgery is a treatment option for haemorrhoids (piles). It is usually only considered for severe cases that have not responded to other treatments, such as a ligation procedure.

A haemorrhoidectomy is an effective form of piles surgery as it involves the total removal of the piles. The surgery can be performed under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation. It would usually require you to stay in the hospital for a day or two to monitor your recovery.

What To Expect Before & After Piles Surgery With G & L Surgical Clinic

G&L Surgical Clinic wants to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your piles surgery.  

To help us do this, please follow the preparatory instructions below:

  • Avoid eating or drinking for six hours before your scheduled surgery time. This includes plain water and coffee.
  • Take a shower or bath the night before or the morning of surgery using antibacterial soap. Be sure to wash between your buttocks and around your anus.
  • Do not put anything in your rectum, such as douches, enemas, or haemorrhoidal cream, or consume any type of medicine, including aspirin or ibuprofen, for pain. Please call our clinic for clarification if you have any questions regarding which medications you should avoid.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after you are discharged from the hospital.
  • Wear comfortable clothing to the clinic on the day of surgery. This means loose-fitting clothes that cover your surgical dressing, such as sweatpants and a t-shirt.
  • You are recommended to avoid wearing a belt.
  • Please remove all jewellery, including body piercings, before your surgery.

These simple tips can help ensure that your piles surgery procedure is safe and successful.

Before you come in for your piles surgery, please be sure to bring the following items with you to the hospital:

  • A list of your current medications, 
  • Any allergies you have, 
  • A list of your medical conditions, 
  • Your insurance information, and 
  • An extra pair of loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. 

Please also arrange for someone to drive you home after you are discharged.

If you have any questions about what to bring or how to prepare for your haemorrhoid surgery, please call our clinic, and we will be happy to assist you.

A haemorrhoidectomy is usually conducted under general anaesthesia. Patients will be required to fast for at least 6 hours before the surgery to ensure that the stomach is empty before the surgery.

This helps to minimise the risk of aspiration.

You will need to stop taking blood thinning medications (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and warfarin [Coumadin]) for at least a week before your procedure.

If you are unsure if your medication is a blood thinner, please contact our clinic or clarify with Dr Ganesh before scheduling the procedure. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

Additionally, if you are unable to discontinue these medications, please notify our clinic ahead of time so we can assist you and reschedule your procedure if necessary.

Please also inform our clinic of any herbal medications or dietary supplements you are taking, as these can increase the bleeding risk.

No, there are no pre-admission tests required before undergoing piles surgery. However, we do recommend that patients schedule a consultation with Dr Ganesh before deciding on the procedure for him to assess if the surgery is necessary.

This is also to allow Dr Ganesh to understand if there are any underlying medical conditions that can be ruled out prior to the treatment. Once you have scheduled your appointment, we will provide you with a list of pre-operative instructions to follow to ensure a successful surgery and recovery.

The recovery period after piles surgery will depend on the type of surgery you have. For example, a haemorrhoidectomy (surgical removal of haemorrhoids) is more invasive than a rubber band ligation (wherein the haemorrhoid is tied off at its base).

As such, the recovery period for a haemorrhoidectomy is usually longer, typically 7-10 days. Meanwhile, the recovery period for a rubber band ligation is typically shorter, only 2-4 days.

Dr Ganesh may also prescribe you pain medication to help reduce discomfort. Ultimately, following our doctor’s instructions carefully is important to ensure a successful recovery.

At G&L Surgical Clinic, we understand that you want to return to your life as quickly as possible. 

Here are a few tips that can aid in your recovery from haemorrhoid surgery:

  • Follow our doctor’s instructions. This may include taking it easy for a few days, avoiding strenuous activity, and managing pain and swelling with medication.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent constipation, which can strain your healing anal tissue unnecessarily.
  • Do not be afraid to take a stool softener. This can make it easier to have a bowel movement and reduce the risk of straining.
  • Eat a high-fibre diet. This will help to soften your stools and make them easier to pass.
  • Avoid sitting for long periods. This can put pressure on your anal area and slow down healing.
  • Keep the area clean and dry. Cleaning the area gently with soap and water and patting it dry with a soft towel after each bowel movement will help to keep the site clean and promote healing.

Following these tips can help ensure a speedy recovery from haemorrhoid surgery.

In most cases, haemorrhoid surgery is a very successful procedure with a low risk of complications. However, as with any surgery, there is always a small risk of developing a haemorrhoid recurrence or an infection at the surgical site.

If you experience any pain, bleeding, or discharge from your anus after surgery, it is important to contact our clinic right away. In most cases, these symptoms can be easily treated with medication or minor surgeries. In rare cases, more serious complications may occur, such as anal stricture or incontinence. These complications are typically only seen in patients with underlying medical conditions that make healing after surgery more difficult.

Dr Ganesh will discuss the risks and benefits of haemorrhoid surgery with you before your procedure to make an informed decision about whether or not this treatment is right for you.

Why Choose Us For Your Piles Surgery In Singapore?

At GL Surgical, we understand that every patient is unique and deserves individualised care. 

Having had experience treating patients with chronic piles and haemorrhoids, Dr Ganesh at G & L Surgical Clinic strives to provide you with the proper diagnosis and treatment for you to recover fully. 

Furthermore, the staff at G & L Surgical Clinic have been thoroughly and consistently trained to make your experience comfortable and hassle-free. 

If you are planning to have your haemorrhoids treated, you can be assured that we will properly diagnose and assess you and ensure that you receive the care necessary for your recovery.

Organise a consultation with our team for further assistance, and we will be happy to assist you with your queries.