I thought I'd update on my situation one year after LIS so here goes...
Last time I posted here I was still having quite bad discomfort/pain, since then I've seen a surgeon who gave me the finger exam with no pain, he said that most people that have LIS make a complete recovery and those that don't may have slight pain and discomfort from time to time due to the sphincter being compromised but at least it will make life much easier going to the loo, I agreed that this was definitely my case and that I'd had little to no pain for the past month or so, on that note I concluded that this is as good as it's going to get, the surgeon didn't seem to keen on carrying out another op down there because of the risk of incontinence, he didn't say, I just knew what he was thinking, I think it would be a good decision to take what I've got and be thankful at least the horrific pain from the past was long gone and that pooping was as easy as it was before this nasty thing took over my life.
Today is 08/08/11 and I've been pretty much pain free and easy pooping for well over a month so I can say that despite the very unsteady road of pain/discomfort after LIS for 10-11 months I am healed or as good as, however, because of my constant changes in diet I have IBS flare ups that can be quite bad (I pass jelly like stools) and have lots of gas and bloating, I suppose this is a small price to pay and can happily live with it.
My thoughts on LIS.
My advice to anyone considering the procedure would be to get all the facts and info beforehand, don't get left to your own devices, take whatever your CRS says with a BIG pinch of salt because they aren't always right (trust me), use this place as much as you can, "ALL" the info you'd ever need is right here and once you feel the time is right for surgery go for it, in the long run it will be worth it, I'm really glad I had the op and you will be too, be prepared for the recovery period, sometimes this is as bad as the actual fissure but take each day as it comes, it's the little steps that make the difference.
Steve.