History of haemorrhoid removal using the Hal-Ral method

Tatiana’s treatment history

Chronic constipation led to the fact that by the age of 17 I was faced with such a problem as haemorrhoids. Due to my inexperience, embarrassment, and lack of time, I did not go to the doctor with this delicate problem. The haemorrhoidal node went away and then appeared again.

After 5 years, the long-awaited pregnancy occurred, which provoked a recurrence of haemorrhoids. After giving birth, the situation worsened; I couldn’t bear it anymore. Due to the incompatibility of lactation and medications with which haemorrhoids are treated, treatment was delayed for 1 year. This led to the fact that the proctologist, upon examination, diagnosed 3–4 degree of haemorrhoids, treatment of which is possible only by surgery.

What methods have been proposed?

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The main thing in the treatment of this disease is a good surgeon who, through a visual examination, can understand which method is suitable for a particular patient and recommend it. During a consultation with proctologist, an operating surgeon, I was given comprehensive information about all existing correction methods, indicating the main advantages and disadvantages.

Classical haemorrhoidectomy. This is a radical operation, during which the doctor excises the nodes using a scalpel. The main disadvantage of the operation is its high morbidity.
Ligation of haemorrhoids using latex rings. The method is less traumatic, but there are risks of “removing” the rings, which is why doctors cannot guarantee a successful outcome of the operation.
Hal-Ral method. Desarterization of nodes does not imply tissue excision. This method is recognized as one of the least traumatic. During the operation, the doctor inserts a special device into the rectum, with the help of which it is possible to stitch the arteries feeding the node. Over time, haemorrhoids die due to lack of nutrition and are naturally removed from the body. The main advantage of the surgical method is the minimal risk of relapse, since the very root cause of the development of painful nodes is stopped.

Having assessed the advantages and disadvantages of each method, I decided to go with the Hal-Ral method, despite the fact that the cost of the operation was higher. But the prospect of spending 2 weeks in the hospital after a classic haemorrhoidectomy frightened me more than the cost of the surgeon’s services with the chosen method.

How is the preparation going?

Immediately before the operation, I had to undergo an equally difficult test – colonoscopy. This is necessary in order to assess whether the nodes are bleeding or not, whether there are other problems of the large intestine that require the surgeon’s attention during surgery.

For a colonoscope examination to be successful, it is necessary to completely cleanse the intestines. Today, doctors use several drugs of the same type that cause severe diarrhea. In my case, the doctor recommended the drug “Fortrans”. At about 12 o’clock the day before the operation of the day, the last meal was eaten, and from 14:00 it was time to cleanse the intestines. The regimen for taking the drug is described in the instructions. I won’t repeat myself. Of the prescribed 3 liters, I was able to drink 1 liter, after which my body stopped accepting the medicine. In addition to diarrhea, vomiting appeared. This forced the surgeon to replace the drug with the French analogue “Kolokit”.

How is colonoscopy and surgery performed?

Changing the medication helped prepare for the procedure. The intestines were cleansed. The instrumental examination was carried out under sedation, since surgery was to take place immediately after it. The duration of the procedure is 30-40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the manipulations.

After waking up, I felt discomfort in my intestines, but I didn’t have to feel it for long – I was taken to the operating room. The Hal-Ral method is good because it requires spinal anesthesia. After the drug was administered, the lower half of the body was lost – from the navel and above. I did not feel any pain during surgery. The operation lasted about 1 hour.

First day after surgery

You must stay in the hospital for the first day. This comes with risks of bleeding, even though the surgery is minimally invasive. A gauze pad was inserted into the anus and removed 24 hours after surgery immediately before discharge.

While the anesthesia was in effect (about 3-4 hours after completion of the operation), I did not experience any pain or discomfort, except for the fact that psychologically the very inability to move is very pressing. The pain began only in the evening, when the anesthesia had completely worn off.

Injections of a simple painkiller did not help. Severe cutting pain was clearly felt at the operation site. Therefore, doctors resorted to stronger painkillers, which helped for 3-4 hours.

One day after surgery, it is important to empty your bowels. Is this a test – yes. Despite the fact that the procedure is low-traumatic, it is unbearably painful during defecation. Therefore, to alleviate the condition, laxatives were recommended, which I took for 2 weeks.

The pain began to subside approximately 7 days after the operation. Before this, I had to buy prescription painkillers to save the day. But after a week, when the tissues healed, I felt like a human again.

Is there anything I can do to alleviate my own post-operative condition? It’s difficult to answer. It is important to endure this. For hygiene, it is better to use wet wipes, which will not injure tissues that are already inflamed due to interference. Warm baths, which should be done with a chamomile solution, were of great help in relieving painful sensations.

Result after procedure

Almost 2 years have passed since the operation. During this time I managed to give birth to my second child. Assessing my experience now, I can easily say that if I had haemorrhoids a second time, I would not hesitate to undergo surgery.

The pain that I had to endure for a week is incomparable to the pain and discomfort that I experienced every time an external haemorrhoid appeared.
Despite the fact that chronic constipation has been and remains in my life, there has been no relapse of the disease. This suggests that the method really works.
Even during childbirth, although I was diagnosed with varicose veins of the genitals and there were risks of vein rupture, haemorrhoids did not become my companion. Despite such a significant load that had to be endured during labor, the disease did not return.

Do I recommend treating haemorrhoids, especially if the only option is surgery? Yes, definitely. The absence of painful lumps increases the quality of life; you can safely play sports without fear that during physical activity your lower part will be pierced by staggering pain from pinched tissue.

Do I need to see a doctor after surgery?

I almost forgot. On the 10th day and one month after the intervention, you will be examined by the operating proctologist. During the rectal examination, I experienced discomfort and severe pain because the tissue had not yet healed. But you can safely endure this.

Instead of an afterword. If you are faced with such a delicate problem, do not be afraid. Seek help from a proctologist who can select adequate therapy. Do not self-medicate, as this will lead to a worsening of the condition and the only way to get rid of the disease is through surgery.

If you have any questions, write below, I will be happy to answer.