Hello,
I just had surgery today and I will share my experience. I just had surgery, so I don't know if it will be a good or bad one yet.
2 years ago- first noticed blood with no pain every couple of months
1 year ago- noticed irritation along with the blood.
1 year ago- got scared from the bleeding and went to ER at night
1 year ago- doctors did not know what it was and gave me a CT scan (radiation)
1 year ago- followed up with GI generalist who did a colonoscopy
1 year ago- colonoscopy did not identify the issue
6 months ago- starting having unbelievable pain along with the fissure
6 months ago- pain continued. Each time I healed, fissure would re-rip upon straining
2 months ago- went back to GI generalist who now suggested this might be a fissure
2 months ago- GI put me on rectiv, got headaches, no improvement. Recommended I use laxitives
2 months ago- found this forum
2 months ago- began to understand diet, avoiding straining, 5 sitz baths a day, and began abusing heating pads
1 month ago- worked from home thanks to my boss which made this more manageable
3 weeks ago- found a CRS to see, switched me to NIFEDIPINE. He knew his stuff and his advice matched this forum. He recommended against laxative abuse and only Colace. He suggested surgery if no improvement
2 weeks ago- had a day of no pain. Could tell upon medicine application that muscle was not as tight. Was feeling optimistic
10 days ago- got constipated, blood and a rip followed, wanted to cry. Even though I knew better, I strained (probably because I was feeling better). Funny how its a mental battle as much as physical.
9.5 days ago- called and begged for the next available surgical appointment
1 week ago- made arrangements with work to be out for 10 days and then work from home as needed for 2 weeks
1 week ago- began to get paranoid about the operation, anesthesia, post-op
5 days ago- ate lots of healthy superfoods, drank lots of water & tea. Still drank coffee and followed the same diet (some fiber and soluble fiber, bananas, fish, veggies)
2 days ago- felt like it was healing again, thought about canceling. Ate some junk food (mentally kind of like a chance to enjoy a last good diet cheat meal just in case I am the rare case that does not wake up from the surgery -- I tend to be a bit paranoid even though the odds seem to be in my favor)
1 day ago- decided that I had to try the surgery to get a chance at having my life back
1 day ago- As I mentioned to co-workers about my surgery, I found several others that either had fissures or used to. I then heard a horror story from a coworker who had a bad experience with many complications (not the guy I needed to be talking to before surgery)
Last night- My paranoia drove me to call most of my family say my last goodbyes (just in case of the rare chance that something happened).
Last night- Normal diet all way until night. Ate a small hamburger around 10:30 PM because nothing after midnight. Drank lots of water, could not sleep due to fear until around 2AM
6:00AM, woke up (still scared like a big chicken)
7:45 Today- drove to surgery center which is about an hour away, still paranoid and hoping I would survive this. still no food or water since last night
8:30- prepped for surgery (IV, gown, paperwork, questions)
around 8:45 today- spoke to doctor. Asked him to please proceed with the operation even if it looked like it was healing once I was in surgery. Explained that if he didn't, I would probably just re-rip and be back in. He agreed and explained he would cut out the fissure, remove the scar tissue, and put a small cut in the sphincter.
around 9:00 today- spoke to Anesthesiologist. IV antibiotics started. First drowsy drug started getting sent in the IV. I got wheeled into the room and then I dozed off
9:30 AM today- I woke up. They administered local numbing agent, so I felt no pain at all. Doc came in and told me that I had 2 fissures. He cut them both, removed the scar tissue, and made the cut to the sphincter. He said everything went well. Said I could keep using the Nifedipine. Instructions for discharge say to use ice for swelling and sitz baths for relief. Baby wipes for cleaning
9:45 AM today- I was mostly energetic and awake, urinated with no issue, drank water, still no pain. I was able to beat the phone in little game of chess, send e-mails, and talk. I had some ritz peanut butter crackers, water, and some sprite
12 noon PM today- my ride arrived, still no pain. I was able to climb into the truck without major issues. Sat on a big pillow and tilted the seat back.
1:00PM today, dropped off the pain medicine prescription and got home, still no pain
1:30PM today, drinking tons of water. Had a protein shake with banana, blueberry, coconut oil, a bit of flax, lactose free milk
1:45PM - drank my 4th coffee of the day and some teas and TONs of water (oh yeah- don't take my diet as advice - I am no expert and I'll see how this works out)
2:40 PM today, not as numb. I am aware of the area more. Still no real pain yet. Very slight discomfort. I figure it is surely coming. But I guess I am still enjoying the medication's pain numbing affect for now.
3:00 PM- no bowel movement yet (still scared to death of that). Maybe a little bit of gas from the shake- can't really tell yet. Area is still bandaged. I have not yet looked. There is some drainage. I am walking about every now and then. Have not taken the pain medicine yet. It should be ready soon.
I will try to update this as I progress forward. Wish me the best.