Recovery time depends on the type of procedure you had. In general:

• You may have a lot of pain after surgery as the area tightens and relaxes. Take the pain medicines on time as instructed. Do not wait until the pain gets bad to take them.
• You may notice some bleeding, especially after your first bowel movement. This is to be expected.
• Your surgeon may recommend eating a softer diet than usual for the first few days. Ask your surgeon about what you should eat.
• Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, such as broth, juice, and water.
• Your surgeon may suggest using a stool softener so that it is easier to have bowel movements.

Depending on your symptoms, you may have had one of these types of procedures:

• Placing a small rubber band around the hemorrhoids to shrink them by blocking blood flow
• Stapling the hemorrhoids to block blood flow
• Surgically removing the hemorrhoids
• Laser or chemical removal of the hemorrhoids

After your recovery from the anesthesia, you will often be able to return home the same day.

Follow instructions on how to care for your wound.

• You may want to use a gauze pad or sanitary pad to absorb any drainage from the wound. Be sure to change it often.
• Ask your surgeon when you can start taking a shower. Usually, you can do so the day after surgery.

Gradually return to your normal activities.

• Avoid lifting, pulling, or strenuous activity until your bottom has healed. This includes straining during bowel movements or urination.
• Depending on how you feel and the type of work you do, you may need to take time off work.
• As you start feeling better, increase your physical activity. For example, do more walking.
• You should have a complete recovery in a few weeks.

Your surgeon will give you a prescription for pain medicines. Get it filled right away so you have it available when you go home. Remember to take your pain medicine before your pain gets severe.

• You may apply an ice pack to your bottom to help reduce swelling and pain. Wrap the ice pack in a clean towel before applying it. This prevents cold injury to your skin. Do not use the ice pack for more than 15 minutes at a time.
• Your surgeon may recommend that you do a sitz bath. Soaking in a warm bath can also help relieve pain. Sit in 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters) of warm water a few times a day.

Contact your surgeon if:

• You have a lot of pain or swelling
• You bleed a lot from your rectum
• You have a fever
• You can't pass urine several hours after the surgery
• The incision is red and hot to the touch

Hemorrhoidectomy - discharge; Hemorrhoid surgery - discharge

Abcarian AM, Abcarian H. Management of hemorrhoids. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:287-293.

Hyman N, Umanskiy K. Anus. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 53.

Updated by: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.