Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Are you having, or have you had a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS)? Please share your experiences here, or ask any questions.

Return to LIS - Considering surgery or already had it?




Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby Raul » 11 Nov 2008, 10:53

Hello all! Image
Went for a followup visit on Nov 5th,with the specialist that performed my colonoscopy(Gastroenterologist).
He asked me how everything is going, I told him I was still seeing blood in my stool, and had little pain after each BM that lasted up to an hour.
Driving to work in the morning is really tough!!!!!!!
Image
He than told me that it has been 7 weeks that we have been treating this AF with Diltiazem and Miralax, and that if I was still having those types of symptoms to go ahead and think about surgery. Image
He gave me a number to a surgeon and told me that I should call him, no follow up appointment was given to me by him.
I'm really confused about going to a surgeon.
I really want this thing to heal naturally, but no matter what I do, Miralax, Flaxseed oil, Fisoil, 25 to 30grams of fiber a day, and MOM. This AF is literally a pain in the butt!!!!
What do you guys think, should I go to a surgeon and have surgery, or should I give this thing more time to heal naturally??
Image Image
Raul
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 45
Topics: 7
Joined: 23 Oct 2008, 16:00
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby Guest » 11 Nov 2008, 11:54

I don't think you need to decide quite yet. I would go see the surgeon for a consult first. Is this a colorectal surgeon he referred you to? I would definitely make sure that it is.

I don't think 7 weeks is all that long. It took me 4 months of that regimen to heal. If you are only having pain for an hour after a bm then I might keep on doing your routine. Now, if you were almost disabled I would probably think about the surgery sooner.

But a consult doesn't commit you one way or the other. Just gather some more info before proceeding.

HTH!
Guest
 

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby val » 11 Nov 2008, 12:06

I waited 7 months before giving in to surgery and my only regret was that I hadnt had it sooner - but I was in agony with spasms which lasted hours and hours and I had no life at all for those 7 months, so if you could continue with what you're doing, it could heal naturally, but as Lecia says, a consultation with an expert is a good idea .
good luck with whatever you decide.
val
King Fissure
 
Posts: 2419
Topics: 86
Joined: 12 Aug 2007, 16:00
Location: uk
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 2 times
Gender: None specified

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby Fissulyna » 11 Nov 2008, 12:37

Yes, definitely make the app. with the colorectal surgeon - you might end up waiting for a week or two just to "get in". I visited couple of them just to be ready if I needed one - and unfortunately after 5 months I had to have the LIS. It did give me my life back and I never regretted it - I just wish my CRS did cut more because I had to have second LIS 8 moths later to relax my butt even more.
Seven weeks is not that long - I would wait for at least 7 more to see how things are going . According to the medical papers most chronic fissures do heal in 12 -16 week period with botox, creams and all other conservative treatments. So, give it some more time but make a contact with CRS just to have a back-up if you get fed up !!! When and IF you will have surgery is completely up to you - you might choose to never have one , or to have one next month - no doctor should rush you into anything. It is your body and you will know the best when you had enough and it is possible to heal without LIS .
All the best !
User avatar
Fissulyna
VIP
 
Posts: 3527
Topics: 61
Joined: 27 Oct 2007, 16:00
Location: California
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: Female

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby pinky » 11 Nov 2008, 17:52

7 weeks is too early for surgery if you are not disabled with pain.i was in severe pain 24/7 and couldnt live a normal life.but still my crs was not ready to do LIS until i saw another one 7mths later.i wish my crs wouldve operated sooner instead of me suffering in pain for 8months.I dont regret LIS,mad at my first crs for not being understanding.have you tried ointments?as fissy says,it does take that long for fissures to heal and noone should rush you into surgery.botox is another option.
but you should see the crs first.
good luck
pinky
Fissureologist
 
Posts: 427
Topics: 6
Joined: 03 Sep 2008, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby Raul » 11 Nov 2008, 19:08

Thank you all for your quick replies,
Image
To answer Lecia's and Pinky's questions
I did get referred to a colorectal surgeon, he is suppose to be one of the best here in Dallas.
I have only tried the Diltiazem ointment.
Is there any other stuff that I can put down there that wont give me problems in the long run?
I have been reading everyone's advice, and it does sound like a good idea to set up an appointment and ask the CRS a few questions.
I do want to heal this AF naturally and doing everything in my power to do it.
It has been 7 weeks of me treating this AF, but it seems like an eternity, I do have small spasms after I have a BM, and often the spasms get worse if I go for a long drive in my vehicle.
The pain is often bearable utilizing my trusty heatpad, and some Advil pills.
(Was using Celebrex for the 1st month because the pain was more intense, but switched over to advil and now take about 6 200mg pills throughout the day.)
I guess one gets use to the pain, or the pain subsides if you start eating right and taking in more water. Don't really know in my case, but do know that the pain is not as bad as the 1st week that led me to go to the doctor.
Now that my friends is the worst pain I've felt in my life.
Image Image
Raul
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 45
Topics: 7
Joined: 23 Oct 2008, 16:00
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby juney » 11 Nov 2008, 19:37

7 weeks is such a tiny amount of time when dealing with a bad fissure. we kind of have to learn to measure things in months (or years in some cases) i guess. don't despair, you can surely still heal it naturally. it's encouraging that you've already noticed an improvement. don't give up now, it's still so early!
juney
King Fissure
 
Posts: 884
Topics: 36
Joined: 13 Jun 2007, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Gastroenterologist told me I need surgery.

Postby Guest » 12 Nov 2008, 07:40

Hi Raul
Such great advice here Image
Going back to my first textbook fissure :roll: I needed a good 4 months + to heal, i used the Diltiazem too , Take this time to be strict about diet and continue with the miralax things will get better slowly but surely !
As for driving and the pain - Sit on a hot water bottle, it helps sooo much Image
Guest
 


  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to LIS - Considering surgery or already had it?



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 33 guests