Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Are you having, or have you had a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS)? Please share your experiences here, or ask any questions.

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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby Bambi » 09 Mar 2011, 00:14

Also- In New Zealand do you have a main family Dr.? Here a lot of insurances require that you have a Primary Care Physician. Anyway- in your situation, I think I might call my regular Dr. and explain what she said about a possible underlying condition and go in and talk to them. They could do a complete blood count and check at least that Maybe you are anemic or something like that so that your body isn't able to heal as easily. Something simple like that. I think that is what I would do unless you have had similar tests done recently. Then you'd be ready with more information if you end up with a different CRS or back at the same one again.
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby Bumbutt » 09 Mar 2011, 01:40

Ok, I'm coming over with a baseball bat!
Well, not really.... but here are some thoughts... I was thinking a little bit like Bambi...maybe you need a bit more time. Maybe it isn't going to be a smooth recovery, but be up and down. You'll want to give yourself some time before you really seriously consider a second surgery.
As far as the doctor wondering if something else is going on... I totally understand your anger about her response - as if this is your fault somehow. I think even the doctors work a bit like detectives, though, and hopefully she will put her noggin on to your case. Like Bambis doctor said, I think it's still too early to tell whether this operation is going to help you or not. It does seem like your sphincter needs some more relaxing somehow, and without the ointments or baths, you have to find an alternative way. Did she give you any thoughts as to what to expect next, and how long to give things, and what little extra thing you might be able to do in order to give you some relief?
I just wonder if it would help to do some kind of mental relaxing exercises for you? Speaking from one tight-ass to another... I think that I myself could benefit from that! Image I also have another theory about my sphincter lately... that before my CRS visit, I tried to do two enemas - this was a crazy challenge... I tried to kind of relax my sphincter (I can't believe I'm typing this!) first, by breathing and just resting my finger at the outside of it, and then gently pushing in a little. ... and I think this actually helped relax my sphincter in general, even after the CRS visit.
I think stress in general, even a little bit, is not good for the relaxation that we need in our muscles. Hey, maybe it's a good excuse to go get a body massage during the week! I'm serious! And if you can't do the massage for money reasons, then I think trying to do some meditation and de-stressing exercises at home could help...?
Just my two cents, and remember, I'm not drinking any coffee at all these days, so I am not very awake... Image
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby alpinestrawberry » 09 Mar 2011, 08:35

I've got a pitchfork and a flaming torch! Let's get her! Image
No, really, I agree with everything Bumbutt said...but the only underlying conditions that could cause this would be digestive ones. Not vulvodynia, not back problems...I think she just honestly doesn't know what to do with you, but if she's concerned about an underlying condition like IBD, then maybe she should focus on testing for that instead of I dunno, I dunno....doofus. Image
I think it's more likely that you just need more time...I'm sure 4-5 weeks out feels like forever (I know, my sinus surgery took forever to work and I was pissed off for quite awhile thinking it didn't)...but it's just too early to draw real conclusions. It's also quite possible that she just didn't cut enough muscle! That has happened a number of times to different board members here, so I don't know why she thinks it couldn't happen to one of her patients.
Since baths and ointments are out, have you tried sitting on a heating pad?
I know the money thing is an issue too--am I remembering right that you would have to wait a year for the free public health care? If so, maybe that's an option, because other boardies here have a 'rule of thumb' that you want to wait a year between surgeries anyway...by that time you'd know for sure if you needed a 2nd surgery, and maybe you could get it for free from a different surgeon.
I wish I could make this go away for you... Image
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby Bumbutt » 11 Mar 2011, 01:10

How are you doing lately? Hopefully hanging in there...
My digestion and fissure hasn't been behaving the past few days... it made me realize how darn fragile the thing is... I ventured ever so slightly from the straight and narrow (I ate a few things I shouldn't have and have worked myself up with stress due to a deadline) and ended up with my fissure progress going a couple steps backwards... It made me think about you, and how fragile and fickle these fissures can be. Whether you do something to irritate them or not. It's just going to be a road of ups and downs. Here's hoping your butt behaves today (and mine too!).
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby desperatehousewife » 11 Mar 2011, 01:25

Hey there!
Your surgeon sounds like she has an ego problem and was a little on the defense, ie: blaming you. My CRS told me that 10% of his patients require an additional surgery. He's done 100's of them. He's older 60's, and he said 10 years ago before nifediprine, he'd do several a week. He was also honest about his incontinence rates with me and told me 2% have issues but he didn't feel a second surgery would make me more likely to have an incontinent issue. I really didn't understand how it couldn't raise my chances but he told me that people who get incontinence problems are usually because they have a muscle defect already. Since you've already had one surgery and no problems, chances are you'll be fine if God forbid you need to do it later again. I also told my CRS about the "1 year rule" on this site and he didn't think that it mattered and felt the fact that I was seven months out was enough time to know that it didn't work for me completely. He said he usually performs the second surgery 6 months later for people. So give it more time, and then decide. Don't think about it now, try to relax and see if things improve over the next few months. It is still early. BTW no incontinence at all and my bm's already feel better and I am only 6 days post surgery. I don't want to jinx myself, I know it is too early for me to be judging my "sucess" just wanted to let you know I think your CRS is full of crap (punn intended). I don't know how her surgery could be successful for everyone if my CRS says 10% need a redo.
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby sphinctersaurus » 11 Mar 2011, 17:14

Hi guys,
Thanks for all the support. We could form quite the lynch mob! Image
I haven't posted in the last couple of days because to be honest, I've been a little down about all this fissure business. I’ve also been agonizing over a couple of other medical issues, which I know isn’t good for the fissure, but … What can you do?
Bambi - I've taken your advice and made an appointment with my family doctor for Monday. Just to get a check-up and some blood tests done. I'm Vegan, so I get my B12 and Iron levels tested pretty regularly. I haven't had it done in a while though, so I think it's a good idea. Thanks! :D It's really interesting that you've suffered with Vulvodynia in the past and had it go away. It gives me hope that it might one day go away for me too.
I made an appointment with a new CRS today. It isn't until May, but that's probably a good thing because I wouldn't want to rush into anything at this stage. If this retearing problem continues though, I'll think I'll run out of patience pretty quick. The last couple of days haven't been too bad. As was the case before I had the operation, the more time I put between myself and the retear, the better everything feels. It does seem to be improving faster than it would have before the op. I've started using Vaseline before BMs because I've noticed that the skin back there is really dry. It does seem to help, but I guess time will tell. I’ve been tinkering with the amount of fiber I’m eating too. My aim is to have no more than two BMs a day. One would be even better! I think I’ve been eating too much fiber and taking too much Movicol. The result is that I generally have three or four BMs a day, which is too many for my poor fragile bottom to cope with.
Bumbutt - Nope, the CRS didn't give me any indication at all of how long to give myself to heal, what to expect. Sorry to hear your fissure has been acting up too. It’s so true … Stupid fissure has a mind of its own!
You're all going to love this ... She sent me on my way with a prescription for steroidal ointment. That was the only suggestion she had. I questioned her about its potential to damage the skin and she told me that there is a “theoretical risk” that steroidal preparations can damage the skin, but as long as they are not used for too long, it should be fine. She said that the main reason it is prescribed in these situations is because it contains a topical painkiller. That one had me scratching my head a little! I’d rather not put anything back there that could actually cause further damage!
Hey Alpine – Thanks for the heating pad suggestion. I’ve been hunting around online trying to find a good one. Regarding Public Healthcare … Well I really don’t have enough rotten things to say about that. I found out a while back that it’s apparently common knowledge that in NZ, minor, ‘elective’ operations such as Hernias, Gallbladder removal and Anal Fissure are often rejected from the public system unless they are considered severe. Unfortunately, there is no one year wait. They have just flat out said NO. They want nothing to do with me or my derriиre … Pffft!
Hey DH – Thanks for the encouragement. I hope things are going well for you! I will persevere and hope for the best. If I do end up having a second surgery, I think I will want a surgeon who has actually done a second surgery or two. I’m certainly not going to give the same doctor a second go at it, and definitely not right away either. She was willing to do it right away! Even with all of her doubts! Bottom line – I don’t trust her anymore. It will be interesting to hear what she has to say next time I see her though … Once she has had a little time to think the situation over. I think she did realize how unsatisfactory her comments were to me … as they would have been to any patient!

Thanks you guys! You’re all wonderful!
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby Bambi » 11 Mar 2011, 18:06

Sphinctersaurus-
I am sorry you have been down and still having some issues with the retear. It sounds very encouraging that it is getting better faster than before the surgery. Sometimes I get "feelings" about things and my feeling about you is that you are going to get better in the next couple of weeks and have this behind you. Having other medical issues cannot make this easier and I can't really imagine having the vulvodynia on top of this. That is another one of those things that can send you into an anxiety ridden almost post traumatic stress thing. Even now, I am very careful about that whole area. One thing that really helped me at the time was stopping using soap down there. I use Summer's Eve feminine wash and before that a similar product. The main thing is to have it be something very gentle and with a balanced Ph level. That made a huge difference for me.
I am going through menopause and when I saw my gynocologist and few weeks ago, he mentioned that my skin the area is showing signs of deterioration or some such awful word. I told a friend that I really didn't need to hear that. Anyway- I have wondered about all these baths and the potential to become overdried in the whole anal and vaginal area. So far (about a year now) it doesn't seem to have harmed me, but it is quite drying. I don't know what your climate is like. I live at a high altitude so everything is always dry and I guess I'm just drying up all over Image
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby desperatehousewife » 11 Mar 2011, 20:44

Yes, I don't use soap either. I have a history of yeast infections and dermatitis down there. Very sensitive. My allergist told me not to use soap a long time ago and it works for me. I also wonder if I am damaging myself from all the bathing too. I try to take probiotics daily and air myself out rather well between baths, which has kept the yeast at bay. I only had one bad occurance in the fall. I'm not sure if it was yeast or dermatitis though. I think it was dermatitis because I did SEVERAL yeast treatments (like 5!). Once I used my steroid (hydrocortizone ointment 1%) cream it cleared up. I'm wondering sphinct if that is why your crs gave you steroid cream? Did you have a rash of some sort? The price of being a woman!!!! It is amazing how many of us have multiple issues that could be immune related!
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby alpinestrawberry » 11 Mar 2011, 23:15

When desperate for a heating pad, do what I do:
Get an old pillowcase or a good sized cloth drawstring bag. Go to your pantry and dump into said bag whatever grains you have handy; rice, oats, buckwheat, etc. You could even add some lavender if you like. Fill it up pretty full, and tie or sew it shut. Now you can just microwave it, and voila, your butt will be thanking you in no time. Image
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Re: Here goes nothing! LIS & Skin Tag Removal - Thursday Feb 10

Postby sphinctersaurus » 17 Mar 2011, 16:56

Update:
Hi all,
Well, I'm 5 weeks and 1 day post op today and I'd love to be able to say that things have been going great ... But sadly, they kinda haven't been.
I've been having a lot of difficulties with BMs. There just doesn't seem to be a consistency that suits. During the past couple of weeks, I've torn on soft AND just recently, firmish BMs too. I thought I’d discovered that a slightly firmer BM was good, but as it turns out … Not so much! I've also been getting quite a lot of pain from the incision site. Initially, I figured that I kept retearing because I was having too many BMs per day and that was stressing the area, so I slowly reduced the Movicol dose and adjusted my fibre intake. My intention was to have fewer BMs, but maintain softness. I guess I got it wrong because I wound up having about 6 BMs a day instead of the usual three, and not all of them have been soft either! I’ve also had a near constant, feeling that I need to go. BMs have been tiny and very frequent. Uggh, I wish I hadn’t bothered.
A few hours later:
I’ve just come back from seeing the CRS. I called her and she agreed to see me. I wasn’t sure what else to do. The pain from the incision site has been getting worse over the past few days and it feels as though I will tear during virtually every BM. I just can’t seem to get this right. She had a look and performed a rectal exam. To my surprise and despite all the pain I’ve been having, the rectal exam didn’t really hurt! To my much greater surprise, she told me that the fissure was gone and that everything else looked good too. She said that based on the way I described how things were going, that I may have some Pelvic Floor Dysfunction going on. She referred me to a specialist physiotherapist, who I made an appointment with as soon as I got home. She also gave me a script for glycerin suppositories and said that I should use one at the same time every morning. She told me that they will simply soften the first part of the BM, thereby making it a bit easier to pass. Overall, the idea is to train my bowels to go just once, and at the same time every day. I find the suppositories difficult to insert and a bit unpleasant, but I guess I’d better just do as she has suggested. I’ve had a look at some Pelvic Floor Dysfunction information, and it actually does sound exactly like me.
At least there’s a little bit of hope, because lately I would have said that my situation is worse than before surgery.
Still … A little hope is better than no hope at all!
:)
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