As I've written a few times now, I'm scheduled to have my LIS sometime in the next few months. I haven't had a date yet, but hopefully will do soon. During my last visit to her, I spent so much time convincing her I really needed the LIS that I didn't actually get any time to ask any pertinent questions regarding what happens etc. Any advice or info gratefully received.
Q1. When people talk about the recovery time, is this the time for the LIS to heal up or the fissure to heal as a result of the procedure? I also wondered how long the actual incision site takes to heal?
Q2. I think I'm having the closed LIS. Does this involve just a nick in the sphincter muscle that's left open or does it have stitches?
Q3. I've looked at a few diagrams of the LIS and it looks as if the cut happens behind the wall of the rectum and not in the actual rectal wall, unless I'm misinterpreting the diagrams. If this is the case, is the incision for entry into the muscle stitched up after the muscle is cut? Excuse my ignorance here!
Q4. I'm expecting a world of pain after the operation. How quickly does the pain set in and what's the best thing to take for it? I'm a bit worried about strong pain killers causing constipation and or hard motions.
Q5. What did you eat after the operation for the first week or so? My problem has always been balancing my food intake so I don't get hard motions (not happening at the moment!) or having so much fibre and stool softeners that I'm in the loo 3 or 4 times a day. Neither is great.
Q6. How long before you can sit in a chair after the op? I just dread the thought of weeks of lying on a couch or bed watching daytime telly, reading or sleeping. I fortunately work from home as a writer and designer, but it does involve a lot of computer-based work on a desktop computer.
Q7. Similar question, but how long before I can go for a walk, however limited in length?
Q8. Our bedrooms are upstairs. Will I be able to move sufficiently to walk up the stairs to bed following the op, or should I think about sleep on the couch downstairs for a while?
Q9. I haven't even had the op yet, but my big fear is that first bowel motion after the op. The whole idea scares me to death.
Q10. How quickly is the area likely to stop bleeding and if I have stitches (?) do they need removing?
Q11. What's the normal time frame for a follow up visit to see my CRS after the op?
Q12. I read about totally different healing periods (anything from a week or two to a year). What is considered fully healed as opposed to feeling a lot more comfortable?
Q13. Can anyone recommend a good soft cushion or padded seat that might be useful for an office chair during my recovery? I currently use an inflatable ring, which I know not everyone thinks is a good idea with a fissure. Would a pillow be as good as anything?
Q14. Would I be well enough to prepare my own meals or would I need to rely on my wife for a while? I'm a pretty independent person and hate relying on other people.
Apologies for all the questions!