27 days post-op...
Today I feel like I've turned a corner, having very little or no pain after BM and only visited the bathroom twice, stools are well formed but soft enough to pass with ease, sitting down is more comfortable at last, which is good as my legs could do with a rest.
Still cleaning up after BM with cotton wool balls and warm water, I won't ever use TP again, I've also started squatting for BM again, I had stopped after the surgery because of fear of tearing the wound open, but everything seems fine, squatting has been my preferred way of defecating since reading about it online some time ago.
The sitz baths have been narrowed down to just one per day, I feel that they've been a great help in the healing process even though it's been slow, I'm currently using Chamomile ointment, (as previously mentioned) on the anus because of it's healing properties, I just massage a small amount around the anus as and when required, this really seems to be working so I won't be stopping any time soon.
Movicol = Lifesaver. This is the holy grail of stool softeners and is something that I've accepted into my life for the duration, it's not that I'm scared of getting constipated, I just love the way it produces soft BM's, nothing else compares, and believe me I've tried lots.

Glad to read you are feeling better, Steve!!

At just over a month post-op I seem to be doing ok, I have regular BM's at almost the same time every day, they are pretty much uneventful, however, I am getting a slight stinging from the surgical site, this is mainly when my sphincter tightens up a bit, and it's still a bit difficult to sit in certain positions apart from this I think the surgery has been successful since I don't have the feelings in my rectum that I had pre surgery, there's very little pressure now and passing stools is much easier, I will know more on the 17th of september when I go for my 6 weeks check up, until then I will continue doing what I'm doing with the diet and the use of chamomile ointment.

That's great Steve. It does sound like things are getting better for you. I'm really glad to hear that. I hope things continue to improve until you are 100%.

Steve,
I think I will write your appointment on my calendar, so I won't continue to ask you when you are going back to see your doc!! :roll:

Thanks phil,
I'm not 100% just yet, I'm still getting a nagging stinging pain from the LIS site, it's more of an annoying discomfort than a bad pain, it doesn't hurt during BM at all, it just seems to get a little irritated afterwards, I do feel like I'm making progress though, I suppose it will take a while before the LIS site properly heals

hehe cheryl.... Knowing the NHS my appointment will get changed 5 times like it did before I finally got my surgery date..

Steve,
There you go again with your avatars. What happened to Moses? I liked that one since I am kind of a basket case!!!

LOL cheryl... You are no way a basket case, you're a kind person and an inspiration to us all!

Oh, thanks for your nice comment, Steve. I'm feeling better today. Going to type/post something for you and others later that I posted previously several months ago. Bares repeating as it reinforces the idea of visualizations and the power of the mind!!