What this experience covers
This experience looks at what people describe about bleeding after LIS (lateral internal sphincterotomy) surgery — how much, how long, what triggers it, and the difference between normal post-surgical bleeding and something that needs attention. It is a composite drawn from many anonymised accounts.
The pattern
The first few days
Some bleeding in the first few days after LIS is expected and normal. People describe:
- Light bleeding on toilet paper and dressings
- Blood-tinged discharge on pads
- Small spots of blood on underwear
- More bleeding during and after the first bowel movement
- Bleeding that is bright red and relatively light
The first week
Bleeding typically continues at a light level through the first week, often triggered by:
- Bowel movements — the most consistent trigger
- Wiping (which is why gentle water-based cleaning is recommended)
- Physical activity — even walking can cause slight discharge
Most people describe the bleeding as decreasing over the first seven to ten days.
Weeks 2 to 4
By the second week, bleeding is usually minimal — small amounts related to bowel movements that settle quickly. By week three to four, most people describe bleeding only occasionally, if at all.
When bleeding returns
Some people describe episodes of light bleeding returning briefly — sometimes weeks into recovery — usually triggered by a harder stool or more straining than usual. These isolated episodes, when they settle quickly, are commonly described, and your team may still want to hear about them.
What people wish they had known
- That some bleeding is expected and normal in the first week
- That bowel movements will be the main trigger
- That the bleeding decreases steadily over days to weeks
- That a single, brief episode of bleeding later in recovery is commonly described, and is still worth mentioning to your team
If something about your recovery does not feel right, or you just want reassurance about what is normal, contact your surgical team. They expect these calls.
When to contact your surgeon
Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Bleeding that is heavy — soaking through pads or filling the toilet bowl
- Bleeding that is increasing over time rather than decreasing
- Bleeding accompanied by fever, increasing pain, or swelling
- Bleeding that does not stop on its own within a few minutes
- Clots in the blood
- Any bleeding with feeling faint, dizzy or a racing heart
- Dark red or black, tarry stools
- Any bleeding that concerns you