Joseph H Frankhouse, MD – Legacy Health

You know, aging is part of life, as are the physical problems that come with it. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only Unilocaler with this physical infirmity. Iit’s something that is treatable-​though not discussed in ‘polite company’
I’ve opted to be straight-​forward with my review because, who knows, it might help someone else get over his or her embarrassment about the problem and get help for it. However if you’re easily grossed out you might want to skip my review of Dr Joseph Frankhouse.
I first visited Dr Frankhouse last year for hemorrhoid treatment, after checking out types of and the variety of options available to me – from in-​patient surgical repair with an overnight hospital stay to ‘rubber banding’ the offending protrusion in out-​patient surgery. I’d done all the OTC medications, wipes and other strange things the internet weirdos advised.
I’d decided that ‘rubber banding’ appeared to be the least invasive kind of procedure, not requiring anesthetic and expected it would be done in an out patient surgery and would cost me a mint, as any hospitalization can do. It was, however, was the least expensive of medical procedures and some was covered by my insurance.
I had a very short wait in the lobby, spent filling out paperwork that comes with any new doctor visit and was brought into a standard doctors consultation room. After discussing my problem with Dr Frankhouse’s, he ran thru a list of treatments he thought would be applicable to my particular type of hemorrhoids.
My expectation was this would be sort of embarrassing for me and would also be the first, discussion phase, followed by the actual surgery to remove al the protrusions at a later date.
My assumption was so wrong.
What actually occurred was… the discussion of options, some education on causes and what could be done to avoid future issues and then Dr Frankhouse asked me if I wanted treatment right then!
I was totally floored.
The doctor actually treated my hemorrhoids with the rubber band procedure which is pain free and done as an outpatient in office treatment. He didn’t take care of everything, but just having some relief, and getting over myself and my embarrassment really helped. I figured there might be people who, after going to the initial examination and the ‘squee” that goes along with it, might just never schedule the come back for surgery part of the whole deal. I call it my «If I ignore it, maybe it will go away» philosophy of not doing something I know I ought to do, but don’t want to do.
As it is, knowing I need to return for more work, I have no fears or apprehensions about the procedures. I know what to expect.
After about 20 minutes of treatment, the doctor said: «Thats all for now. Please consider a colonoscopy before you schedule your next banding procedure.»
I went home via Taxi and came back for my car the next day. I liked the doctors non-​excitable nature of scientifically telling me about what he could do, of going over options and then of just getting on with in. Believe me, when you’re laying naked from the waist down with your butt in someones face and them poking around in what is a sensitive spot due to inflammation, having a doctor who is being very cool about what he’s doing, then being given an option of immediate relief-​well it’s much mentally easier than making an appointment for some day in the future without knowing exactly what is going to go on.
I’m making another appointment to have the balance of the work done. My first procedure is perfectly healed. Rubber banding causes the protrusions to lose their blood flow and they shrivel up and fall off when you are using the potty.
So, dear Unilocalers, those of you who have maybe gone thru childbirth and discovered that hemorrhoids can be a side effect of carrying a 20# bag of potatoes around in your guts-​aka your darling child, And those of you who have gotten a bit more mature, like I am, and discovered that everything doesn’t work automatically like it did when I was young. Or you who might be a tad bit overweight and have discovered you have ‘piles’ to go along with the weight. there IS a cure and it isn’t horribly gross.
Was I embarrassed? You bet, but embarrassment isn’t fatal and the doctor went a long way in easing that. Did it hurt? NOT AT ALL. There was no pain and minimal discomfort. Having the rubber banding is like going to the dentist– it’s never as bad as you think it will be. Do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with your closest butt doctor. Dr F is at St Vincents but I’d be willing to wager that most doctors who do this procedure are just as good — I think they’d have to be!