I've just had Fissurectomy and LIS performed 4 hours ago.. (4th August 2010)
I was admitted to the post-operative care unit at 07:30 am today..
So I checked in and was told that I'd most likely get in theatre before dinner time, during my stay I had my BP taken and was asked about any allergies that I may have plus any medications that I'm currently taking, I was then seen by my CRS and he explained what he was going to do, before that though he asked me how long I'd suffered with anal and rectal pain, I told him it felt like a life time and that my life had been severely impacted by this pain and that my whole day revolved around the bathroom, not to mention that I was suffering from depression because of this, he agreed that this type of pain and discomfort can cause severe distress, he then told me what he was going to do while I was under anaesthesia, he said he'd look for a fissure and if found would treat it by means of fissurectomy and LIS, also if any hemmorhoids were present then they'd also be removed, I was then asked to return to the waiting room until the theatre staff was ready for me, by this time it was 11:30 a.m. and I was getting rather nervous and sweaty, then I was called at about 11:40 to go to theatre where I was greeted by the Anaesthesiologist who proceeded to insert a canula then gave me three injections, he said I'd become light headed and drowsy but wouldn't fall asleep just yet, then came the mask over my face, I was told to take at least 5 deep breaths but only remember getting to 4..
The next thing I knew I was woken up at around 13:20 pm in recovery, I felt a bit drowsy but fine, once I'd fully came round I was offered a cup of tea, some biscuits and sandwiches, the nurse told me of the procedures that had been carried out which were Fissurectomy and LIS, there was NO hemmorhoids present which was a relief, I must of kicked those into touch through radical changes in diet, I'm now starting to feel a bit of pain and am aware of a giant pad between my bum cheeks which is all apparently normal, I'm prescribed Ibuprofen (Anti-inflammatory) Metronidazole (Antibiotics) and Ispaghula husk sachets (Fybogel) but no pain killers as these will constipate me, although I'm allowed to take regular paracetamol which is fine anyway as I didn't want constipating meds, I was discharged at 14:30 pm with my meds and still a big pad between my cheeks and have to return in 6 weeks for a follow up appointment.
I'm home now, I must say though that the ride home was a bit uncomfortable, every speed hump made me writhe about, once at home I'm coping pretty much ok with the pain, it's there and very noticeable but to be expected, it's actually nothing like the fissure pain I was feeling before the op, I'm having to lie on my side as sitting isn't an option just yet, another thing, I have a gel pad inside my anus pressing against the stitches inside my rectum to minimise bleeding but it will pass when I have a BM (which I'm obviously dreading!) I'll keep you posted accordingly.

I thought about you today, Steve. Unfortunately, I did nothing spectacular during my interesting day on the golf course while you were having your procedures. Hope your recovery is very smooth and uneventful! Be sure to focus on positive thinking and imagery of a healed butt!!

Yeeeaaayyyyy Steve is home : ))))) !!!!!!!! That is just fantastic , my goodness, all
is over and now you can concentrate fully on your recovery !!!!! You are doing great pain-vise - first time around I managed with only one narcotic pill and than Tylenol alone. Second time I had 7 cuts done there, so I had to resort to Percocet (one or 2 a day) for couple of days. They did not constipate me a bit, but again, I never constipate LMAO ; ))) !!!!
NO sitting for a while ; )))) !!!! Lay or sit on the side - just give that butty some deserved rest and pampering
Do not forget 20 min soaks 3-4 times a day - a must for the fast healing and than dry your butt with a fan and than apply Vaseline if you want to Make sure all is clean as a daisy "down there" - check on the mirror after taking a bath and if you see "stuff" take a q-tip and clean it off !
Do not dread first BM - it will be really nothing even close to acute fissure pain - I know it is hard to believe , but is true !!!!
Best of luck and try to relax now and daydream of a pain-free life in the near future !!!!!
Keep us posted

Thanks cheryl and Fissy,
I'm now just over 9 hours out and have taken my antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and regular pain killers twice, it's fair to say that the pain is worse than it was earlier and is solely coming from the site where the fissure used to be (which, incidentally was at the 12 0' clock position) something that I learnt for the first time today!
I've been drinking tons of water since coming home and will still be taking my usual dose of Movicol before bed, my plan for the morning is to concentrate on that first BM then have a nice sitz bath straight after which I'll repeat several times over the course of the day, will keep you posted..

Steve: "Yo yo yo" as we say here in the States :)
Good stuff, I'm at work so can't write much now, but just wanted to say that it's great to hear from you. It sounds like things went well.
So come clean, did you have any accidents like I did lol :) Seriously, you're now on your road to recovery, please keep us updated!

Hi Steve
Glad to hear everything has gone well. I echo Fissy comments re the BM. I was dreading mine first one as well. I have to say it was a bit sore but nowhere near as painful as having a BM when you have a fissure.
I would suggest taking vitamins - ACE and Zinc. No idea if this helped me! But they promote healing and help fight infection (I wasn't given any antibiotics). Having said that like me you are already taking enough tablets so that you probably rattle when you walk!

Hey NG, I've had no accidents as yet!! I'm finding it a little difficult to pass gas though, maybe when I do I may have an accident lol, I'll keep you posted on that one!

Thanks Elf, Is that vitamins A, C and E, I'm considering taking a multivitamin since they contain them all, I'll do whatever it takes to help the healing process.

Yes I took ACE all together as it was only one tablet and a couple of Zinc tablets a day as well. I also took Bromelain (google it!) it is a natural product that allegedly promotes healing. As I said no idea if it worked but it obviously can't hurt. I checked all these and none constipate. With the multi-vitamin just make sure it doesn't also have iron in it cos as you probably know too much iron can definately constipate.

NG and Elf, how are you both now in terms of healing and or pain, I know Elf, you had quite a harsh procedure but seem to be doing just fine which is very encouraging for anyone that's considering the same procedure, and NG, has the seepage stopped and have you resumed normal toileting I.E. No pain during or after BM?