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Day Surgery Unit

Advice for patients after anal procedures

Patient Information Leaflet

 

Introduction

This leaflet is for patients who have had anal procedures. It gives advice on what you should do when you get home, and contact information for if you have any problems relating to your procedure.

 

Advice

  1. It is a good idea to avoid having a bath or shower for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
  2. It is normal to experience tenderness, discomfort or pain for up to one week, after the procedure. After 24 hours, if you are very tender, sitting in a warm bath may ease discomfort.
  3. It is important to pass a normal, formed motion (stool) when you have your bowels open, and to avoid constipation and diarrhoea, because these can cause you problems. For this reason, we advise you to eat a healthy, high fibre diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and to drink extra fluids.
  4. You may notice blood on your pants or on tissue after you have opened your bowels, for approximately one week. This is normal. The blood is usually bright red in appearance in the first few days but becomes darker red as the week progresses. It is also common to pass blood when you first have your bowels open.
  5. Sometimes after the procedure, the surgeon inserts a dressing into your back passage. This is to control any bleeding. This will give you some discomfort and a feeling of fullness in your back passage. It will be passed when you open your bowels. If you prefer, after 24 hours you can gently remove it while straining on the toilet.

It is normal to experience some anal pain or discomfort after the procedure, for a few days. It is normal to experience some bleeding following bowel action, for up to one week. Some patients complain of feeling as if they need to keep going to the toilet. These are normal sensations and are usually only mild.

Remember: Everyone recovers differently after surgery so do not worry if you feel tired and weak for several days, as this is quite normal. However, if this lasts for a long time, please see your GP.

 

Helpline numbers

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to a member of staff or contact:

Russells Hall Hospital Day Surgery Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1886 (7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) or

Pre-operative Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1849 (7am to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Out of these hours, urgent queries: contact Surgical Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 3359.

Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

 

Originator: T.Trevis/A.Larkin Date reviewed: January 2026 Next review due: January 2029  Version: 5 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/00618