I will ask her next week when I see her and let you know if she has any recommendations!

I too wold go for a CRS rather than a general surgeon. My first guy was the general surgeon and I really wish I had had a specialist in the area.

Oh dear. Thanks, Lecia and Buttgirl. Someone suggested I consult with one of the general surgeons with colorectal interest to just see what he has to say, but I don't know now. Through this whole inefficient process, I only came up with two names, the one guy who is perfect, but doesn't take my insurance anymore, and a woman, who sounds great, but who works mainly with cancer patients, and won't schedule another fissure patient until next year. So, I'm back to the drawing board!
Queenofpain/AgonyAnn

Geezo. all you hard work. Perhaps you could bill your insurance and go to a good CRS.

I wonder if you could widen you search area to the areas around Chicago.
I have a PPO plan too and I can see doctors out of network I just have to pay a larger proportion of it. Is that an option? I don't even check most of the time-if I find someone I just go. Of course I have no money now!

Hi Lecia,
Well, because I don't have a car, I pretty much have to stick to the city. With all the hospitals here, I should think I would find someone. Like you, I can definitely see someone out of network, but it's hard to assess how much out-of-pocket expense I will have. I spoke to the insurance company on Monday, and it didn't sound like there was a cap on what I would have to pay, so it concerns me greatly. With AF being a chronic issue, I imagine there will be a lot of expense with a specialist. Thanks, and I will keep searching!
Queenofpain/AgonyAnn

just wanted to add a little of my experience....i saw an assistant chief of general surgery at kaiser. he did both of my LIS surgeries. i asked him about referral to a CRS and he said it would take months to get in and they don't usually send people there for something like a fissure. he's done hundreds of LIS surgeries in his career.
if this 2nd surgery doesn't help my fissure heal he said i'll have to see a specialist b/c that would indicate something else might be wrong.
so anyway, at least from Kaiser's perspective, general surgeons are fully qualified to deal with common butt problems like fissures.

Hi Juney,
Thanks for your input. Yeah, as a result of my search, I've wondered if we are generally told to get a CRS because most general surgeons don't have the spectrum of colorectal experience that a CRS has. However, if he is affiliated with a larger institution, he might have the opportunity to either refine or expand his interests because of exposure to thousands of patients annually. One intake worker of a general surgeon who does a lot of GI work told me that I could always make an appointment with him if I can't find anyone else. She sounded experienced and credible when she said that usually you see a CRS if you have something more serious (at least that might be the case at this institution). She was respectful of my concerns, though, too. So, we'll see. I appreciate your sharing, and I will pray you heal. How could one tear cause so many problems??
QueenofPain/AgonyAnn

i've been wondering that for months! how could something just not heal?
and i hate that the general surgeons say they save the CRS's for more "serious" problems....anyone who's dealt with a fissure knows it sure feels serious!!

I know what you mean, Juney. It sure presents with serious, incapacitating pain. I guess the CRSs book fast because there aren't as many. There is one at this institution I'm looking at that is part of my PPO network, but she can't take me until next year. She really has to reserve her schedule for the cancer and other cases that require immediate attention. I certainly understand that, but I can't sit here in a lot pain until she's free, either! I started looking at a group of MDs today who work with more natural solutions to health problems. A woman at church told me about them. They are legitimate MDs, but their emphasis is different. They take all kinds of insurances, and my PPO is listed on their website. I could always consult with them, and work with a CRS, too. So, we'll see!