Hello,

I thought Id share my experience for anyone considering surgery for a fissure+fistula since lets face it most of the discussions tend to focus on negative things and the people who usually feel good dont post much.

Anyhow, so I just got back home from surgery and I feel pretty normal except for a little discomfort obviously but there is no pain. Funny when I woke up from surgery, I asked the nurse if the procedure was even done since it didn't even feel like I had surgery (I guess reading the posts here made me more nervous than I should have.) The true test will be after my first bowel movement; got my fingers crossed for that.

I'll post my progress here so anyone interested can track it and get a feel of the procedure and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Congrats on having the surgery done and I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well. Keep up the good work!

Good luck with your healing, and glad for you that the surgery is over!

Had my first bowel movement after surgery today and im so glad that it was painless and no sight of blood either.

So happy for you! It really is bizarre that we all cheer for good bowel movements now.

You're lucky! Im day 3 post op and haven't had a BM yet despite all the recommendations of softeners, water, good diet, etc. I'm terrified to go because the site is still very sore and I have sutures in the area

terrifiedinNY wrote:You're lucky! Im day 3 post op and haven't had a BM yet despite all the recommendations of softeners, water, good diet, etc. I'm terrified to go because the site is still very sore and I have sutures in the area

I hope it goes well for you. I never took stool softeners because they never worked for me. I used Restoralax and it worked wonders. I would recommend you try that as well if stool softeners are not doing the trick. Best of luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!

Thanks so much for the recommendation. I will try to find it. Anyone know if it's a bad idea to take an enema post-op? I tried having a BM when I woke this morning after taking miralax last night and the pain was too much. I bled a little bit. It seems the pain is coming mostly from the area where I am sutured, not the fistula tract itself. I know I have to go but I can't go another day like this... wonder if an enema would get me by without damage.

Hi there,

I can't say for sure, as I haven't had any surgeries (yet!) but I often use an enema when I have difficulty going even with my anal fissure and constant pain, and my doctors seem to think it's a good choice, rather than straining and doing more damage.

I have a small bulb enema with a very narrow tip, I put lots of lubricant or Vaseline on the site and the tip, and use lukewarm water. It seems to do the trick - helps the anus to relax and the bm to be softer. You may also want to use the bulb to insert a small amount of lubricant, a gentle oil maybe.

I'm the worst case scenario, I've had a bm in a warm sitz bath...a little embarrassing but was necessary.

Hope that helps a little!

-GG

Hello all, I had surgery on Monday and in a lot of pain. I cannot get comfortable any ideas on how to sleep? Also I called the doctor and he said I just have to make it throughout the first week, is that correct? Just need to know it's going to get better??

Thank you for your help