I had a follow up visit with the first CRS I saw, whose judgement I trust a lot, and she's told me that using Vaseline mixed in with various medications over the past 7-8 months has made the anal skin fragile and prone to tearing. I had been using Vaseline before BMs for lubrication because I read on the forum that it helps with evacuation. Now I've been told that's a bad habit to continue with, so I wanted to share that advice here. I'm to stop all ointments except the occasional calmoseptine (zinc oxide) and nifedipine only if necessary. The Botox is still active on my bum so I guess nifedipine is not as essential now.

Exactly...i was following the same suggestions from posters here and using the Dia....cream before BMs...lo and behold it would make me bleed...the dr says that i dont want to bleed BTW i am 2 weeks post LIS surgery...dont know if the recommendations would be diff for an individual who has not had surgery...good luck...we all need it!!!