You are doing great. I think I had discomfort for 7-10 days tops and it was minor (and I don't think I took any laxative or softener - just Citrucel for a little fiber which I take daily anyway). I like to say that once you have that first BM post surgery it's all easier after that because you are nervous it will be super painful. But the tension from the sphincter that was causing the problem is much less after the LIS so everything is usually fine.
Knowing what I know now, it's no-brainer. Unless you know you can't tolerate the incision, get the LIS and be done with the chronic fissures or live a lifetime of treating your problem and be constantly on a rollercoaster of pain and misery.