Removing Hemorrhoids

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's a condition half of all Americans will suffer from by the time they turn 50. Many patients live with hemorrhoids for decades -- too ashamed to talk to their doctors or too scared to have surgery. Now, there's a new, less painful way to remove them.

For 10 years, Catherine Hanks lived with an embarrassing problem.

"I developed hemorrhoids after I was pregnant with my child," Hanks told Ivanhoe.

Nothing eased her discomfort.

"I tried everything over the counter, every prescription, diet change, increased water intake, exercise, with no relief," Hanks said.

Surgery was out of the question.

"Many patients tell me, I've lived with these for 10, 20 years or more just because I didn’t want to have an operation because it was so painful," Jeff Crooms, M.D., a general surgeon at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare in Tallahassee, Fla., told Ivanhoe.

Dr. Crooms removes hemorrhoids -- or swollen blood vessels -- without making an incision. An ultrasound probe pinpoints the artery that feeds the inflamed blood vessel. Then doctors tie an absorbable suture around it, restricting the blood supply. It takes 20 minutes. Patients go home the same day.

"I had the surgery on a Thursday, and by Sunday I was off the pain medication," Hanks said.

Two months later, Hanks is making up for lost time ... a decade of suffering behind her.

Dr. Crooms has performed about 50 THD procedures. He says the procedure is designed for internal hemorrhoids but may help with external hemorrhoids as well.

More Information

If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Melissa Medalie at mmedalie@ivanhoe.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Rachel Stiles
Public Relations
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
(850) 431-5874