What domiciliary postoperative treatments necessary? The patient keeps the bowels moving free by taking mineral oil or some other lubricant each day. Tub baths, two or three times daily, are taken to relax the postoperative rectal spasm and to cleanse the area. What postoperative treatments, with the surgeon, are necessary? The surgeon sees to it that strictures do not take place by gentle rectal dilatation - insertion of his finger into the rectum about once a week. Occasionally skin tabs, which were left after removal of the piles, are snipped off in the surgeon's office. How soon after operation can sexual relations be resumed? As soon as the rectal area becomes painless, usually in 8 to 10 days. Does rectal bleeding ever take place postoperatively? Yes. From stretching of the healing anal outlet, slight or moderate bleeding may occur, on and off, for several weeks after surgery. Severe postoperative bleeding is rare but should be treated by the surgeon in attendance. How often should the bowel move after surgery? For the first three or four postoperative days it is not necessary or desirable to have any bowel movements. Thereafter, one or two movements daily should take place. It is common for the stools to be smaller than normal in diameter and to be loose in consistency. What dietary precautions must be taken, postoperatively? A full diet should be eaten but spices and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. How soon can one bathe after a rectal operation? Bathing is advocated after the 2 postoperative day. How soon can one return to all normal activities? Usually by the 10th to 12th day after operation. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | MAIN PAGE