by Skiponzo » 22 Aug 2016, 10:04
Hello MPB! Sorry for the delayed response. My fissure was definitely caused by D or rather by the acidic fluids in my system. I didn't/don't go as often as you (I'd say on a regular day - prior to the fissure rearing it's ugly head - I'd go 3 or 4 times). I'm not really certain you could have called what happened when I went D officially as it used to be more sludge like than watery but what I have learned is that the continued 'erosion' of my anal cavity due to the high acidic content eventually caused my fissure.
I have an alcohol issue. Not really an alcoholic but maybe more of a functional alcoholic so over time I have figured out that the alcohol is what's causing the high acidic content in my gut. I am getting this under control through diet and will power. I actually stopped drinking for 4 months and that helped but it was also during the time I was trying to heal without LIS so I was still in a lot of pain. I had my LIS on 23MAR16 and over the last 5 months I have ramped my fiber intake up to around 35 grams a day and I am much better about making sure I eat a lot of fruit and veggies (previously I ate a low fat low carb diet for years so I've always watched what I eat, workout regularly etc but I never ate any fruit or veggies). Now my diet is pretty much the same everyday (Bfast: banana, fiber cereal or WW toast with peanut butter, egg, yogurt; lunch: Sandwich on WW bread and an apple; Dinner: Some veggie (peas, salads green beans, corn, etc), brown rice and some meat (fish, chicken or beef). Never worried about that end of the body until the fissure started last December...now I can't stop thinking about it.
I still go between 2-4 times a day but its not sludge like anymore.
I didn't get here immediately after surgery though and I would venture to guess that the amount of times per day I go slowed the process of healing down. How much I can't say. What I did for the first 3-3.5 months after LIS was to take 2 baths a day. 1 in the AM after my morning movement and 1 at night after my post dinner movement so that any residue was cleaned immediately. I also used a portable bidet when/if I went during the day and I still (and probably always will) use baby wipes vice TP.
In the long run this whole experience will make me healthier overall but man what a terrible way to go about getting to the end result. Feel free to ask any questions.
Oh and YES. I consider my LIS one of the best decisions I have ever made.