Hi, memo -
I'm still searching around, too. I've gone online, a bit, and made a few phone calls . . . and I'm thinking I might ask my crs about the AD - whom he'd recommend (because I'm thinking he doesn't perform ADs). I'll let you know if I find out anything.

So as I have been reading here - it stretches the muscle and does it stay like that or will it shrink back to the size?
Just wondering :oops: I'm new to this fissure pain and the options there are available.. Thanks everyone :)

Hi, granny - not sure about how it works, but I know it's not nearly as invasive as the surgery. The trick is to find a doctor (who performs this type of procedure) in the area where we live . . .

Hi Sweet Bugaboo,
I have an appointment on the 19th with a CRS to discuss. I'll keep looking until then and post what I find.
May God bless all of you

Thanks, memo -
Let us know what you find out. BTW, I think that's the same day I see one of my crs . . .

God bless u all n keep us posted on this

Hi all…the fact is here in the states, most CRS do not perform a Standardized AD, while in most of the other developed countries they do. Here it’s about cutting and there it is not. Two different health care systems. The U.S is much more about for profit. With that said, I would much rather have the system we have here. Do you read about the people on this site that have to wait months to see a specialist???? I can see any DR in a few week and in most cases pay $40! But the system has if flaws. Just look at how most prescriptions are 50% outside the U.S. After all my research and I decided that a AD was 100% the way to go….it took me months to find a CRS who does this. I saw two other CRS, one of them was really nice caring person. In fact he was going to go my LIS till I found out about an AD. I stopped what I was doing and spent 3 more months trying to find out as much info as I could and than a CRS who does this. In all of NY, I found only two CRS and one who happen to be 45 min from where I live!!! I am one lucky SOB. I had called up 20 CRS asking about this and most of the responses was “what is that”…..
I asked my CRS why most do not do at this AD as well as his two nurses, the head and the OR nurse at the hospital….it all goes back to what I say…CRS here in the states are surgeons first…remember that. Also they are just not trained in this new method, which mean they would have to go out and get trained. I am not saying that they do not give a darn. FYI…my father was a GP and my uncle was the head of surgery at a major hospital…both very caring people…but let’s be real, It’s also a business where they have to pay 30-40% for malpractice insurance and then you have managed care where the insurance companies tell you what to charge.
I hope you two kept at it and find that CRS…believe me you will be so happy you did. Please do not go the LIS route is you can help it. I cannot say how much this has worked for me as you can read in my post and again this is typical. If your CRS does not do this and you can wait...look for another...if you cannot and believe there were day I could not walk than do what you have to do to get better.

Wecc - as far as u have read - is the AD permanent ? Or does the muscle shrink back at a latter day :( I've read ur post n it sounds so great but am just wondering :( thanks for ur info

Hi Wecc, I have been following your posts on AD. I am so happy you are feeling great and had minimal pain!!! I had LIS this past Monday and am also feeling very good. I am not knocking what you did, and I admire you for doing it!!! I know you say this is the only way to go and that is your opinion, but telling other boardies NOT to have LIS, I really don't think that is fair. As you said, there are only a few surgeons that do this in the USA. I had to travel 90 minutes just for LIS, I live in a very small town in MD and no CRS's here. Not everyone is as lucky as you, and only had to travel 45 min. to the surgeon that does this. Not everyone has the funds, or means to travel cross country or however far to find these Drs. I have read your posts about look at the recovery rate, and complications, post LIS. There are good posts on here too, it is just once the poster is healed they no longer come here b/c they don't need help anymore. There are a few that check in daily that have fully recovered with no problems, and they keep coming back to help others who need help, and I will be one of those. I will continue to read and post and help the ones that need it. Yes, it is true after LIS it does take longer to recover, and you have to do more to get there, but it too, will give you your life back. If I didn't already have my LIS, I would be scared to death after reading some of your posts. I just don't think it is fair to scare people away from this surgery, when it also has a very high success rate. I have not read one post of anyone becoming incontient on here and I have been reading since August. I think in the end, we have to do what our means allow. We all suffer from the same miserable condition. All I can say is I did have LIS, and I am sure glad I did, and would do it again in a minute!!! after 3 years of being miserable, a week or two of discomfort is nothing. All that being said, I am happy you are doing so well and feeling good and hope it continues. It is sweet being on the other side!!

Hi Sue….I am glad you are doing well and yes its great being on the other side! First, I never said do not have an LIS, I said do your research as I did. Yes many had had a good response to an LIS as you are, however I still read about others who have issue with infection from the incision site..many have discharges, blood and YES many are still in some kind of pain a few weeks and even MONTHS later! Many have to spend days in a bath tub. Also the healing time is much longer as well. In addition, having an LIS is much more invasive. This is NOT the only site about AF’s. Also the fact is, I have two friends that both had an LIS and yes a year later they are doing well…however both had issues. One had an infection and they had to go back in and the other developed a problem with soiling. Healing time was a long road. I on the other side, was at my daughters bb game two days later.
Do you not find it interesting in two countries, Germany and Japan where their medical technology is about on par with us…AD’s like mine are the standard. Why is that Sue? Why is it in Germany, some hospital started with LIS’s and then went back to AD with a balloon as the standard??? Tell you why…because of the high percentage of complications!!! This I have firsthand knowledge of, one of my close friends husband is the head of surgery at major hospital in Stuttgart. By the way, do you know where much of the medical equipment come from…yep Germany.
Again I am not saying do not have a LIS, if you are at that point, you need to do something…BUT the fact is ,,, this is a much better option that for one reason or another has not be spoken about that much her is the U.S…why is that Sue???? Also you speak about the funds to travel far….so you know very CRS that offer this type of AD??? How do you know that there is not a CRS in the next town over or that a CRS affiliated with a hospital in a town does this…it’s called research.
I said given what I have been though and other that I met at this CRS office … why have an LIS and take a risk of any complications when you can have this…. if it available. So yes an LIS works in many cases, however it does indeed come with risks…end of story. Now if anyone does not want to think about that and believe it’s all great then so be it. Now I am very happy you are doing well and I hope you continue too. I have no vested interested here but to tell other what I found out and went though and why I went this way… If they want to stop and look into this outstanding, if not …that is all up to them