“Hemorrhoids” are a common ailment that can affect anyone, especially if dietary habits and bowel movements are not well-managed. Many people suffering from hemorrhoids may be too embarrassed to seek medical treatment, allowing the condition to worsen until they can no longer endure the pain and require surgery.
In the past, surgery for hemorrhoids required a long recovery time. However, today, laser surgery has emerged as a less painful and quicker recovery option. “P’ Tu” or “Kornnipha Sunthornprathom,” a registered nurse who endured hemorrhoid pain for over 10 years, shared her experience with laser surgery: “I am so glad I made the decision to have laser surgery for my hemorrhoids.”
Pregnancy Led to Hemorrhoids and Embarrassment
P’ Tu explained that her hemorrhoid issues began during her first pregnancy, when she frequently experienced constipation and difficulty with bowel movements. This led to the gradual onset of hemorrhoids. During her second pregnancy, the same symptoms recurred, and her condition worsened with intermittent inflammation. Despite the pain, she hesitated to seek serious treatment due to her embarrassment.
“For 10 years, I didn’t get proper treatment because I was shy. But when I met a female doctor, I felt less embarrassed and finally decided to seek treatment.”
Ten Years of Enduring Pain Before Deciding to Seek Treatment
Throughout the more than 10 years of dealing with hemorrhoids, P’ Tu primarily opted for conservative management. She took medications to reduce swelling and used suppositories and ointments, which only provided temporary relief. Whenever she faced difficulties with bowel movements, such as not drinking enough water or consuming fewer vegetables, she would experience flare-ups. Her job, which required standing and walking while caring for patients, only exacerbated the inflammation.
“When the hemorrhoids flared up, they would swell significantly and be difficult to retract. I tried various treatments for years, including medications and ointments, but the inflammation would keep recurring. I felt a lot of pain and had no happiness; my quality of life was poor.”
Deciding on Laser Surgery to Avoid Long Recovery Time and Quickly Return to Health
After enduring pain for 10 years, P’ Tu decided that she wanted to heal her hemorrhoids. She consulted with a doctor at Phyathai 3 Hospital and learned that laser surgery was an option, which was less painful and allowed for quicker recovery than traditional surgery. P’ Tu didn’t want to spend a long time recovering, as she was concerned about her work and didn’t want to experience much pain. Therefore, she ultimately chose to undergo laser surgery.
“At 47 years old, I had to undergo a health assessment and was referred to a specialist to evaluate my risks before the surgery. Once the results were normal, I could schedule the surgery right away. I chose laser surgery after doing some research and consulting with the doctor. It seemed like it would be less painful, plus I only needed to stay in the hospital for one night and could recover faster than with traditional surgery. Since I was worried about work and wanted to heal quickly, I decided on this method.”
After Laser Surgery, I Could Walk, Drive, and Resume Normal Life Immediately
P’ Tu recounted that on the day of the surgery, she arrived at the hospital at 6 AM to prepare. The surgery began at 9 AM and lasted about an hour and a half. The doctor administered a sedative and sleeping medication to help her relax. Once on the operating table, she lay face down and soon lost consciousness. She woke up in the recovery room after the surgery, feeling only slight soreness at the incision site, but everything was normal, and she was able to go home the next day.
“After the surgery, I could sit, lie down, and walk normally. I went home the same day; I had the surgery on Saturday and returned home on Sunday. I even drove myself home and took one week off work. The following Monday, I drove myself to work again and was able to live normally. I could use the bathroom as usual, and the doctor prescribed painkillers, antibiotics, and laxatives to help with bowel movements in the initial phase. After about 2-3 weeks, I no longer needed to take medication, and my rectal area returned to normal—no swelling, and I hardly felt any pain.”
P’ Tu’s story is a valuable sharing of her painful experience with hemorrhoids and her successful laser surgery. For anyone currently suffering from hemorrhoids due to embarrassment or fear of surgery, the option of laser surgery can alleviate those fears. If left untreated, hemorrhoids can only cause more distress in life. The best path to regain a normal, healthy life is to seek treatment and adopt healthier habits for proper bowel movements to prevent recurrence. P’ Tu has regained her health and happiness after suffering for over 10 years.
“After the surgery, there has been no more inflammation. The pain and swelling I once felt have disappeared. I feel much better, healthier, and my mental well-being has improved. I’m so glad I chose laser surgery because without it, the medicinal treatment wouldn’t have resolved my issues. I was also afraid of traditional surgery due to the pain and long recovery time. I didn’t want to go through that, so choosing laser surgery made me feel incredibly happy with no complications.”
