After struggling with this fissure for 8 months, I am finally seeing a CRS tomorrow. I have been to a GI doc and he told me that my fissure was minor, but it doesn't feel minor to me. I waited as long as I could, but I am so sick of thinking about this stupid thing and crying all of the time.
I am pretty scared...never had surgery before. All of your postings are helping me though. Thanks...
How long should I take off work?
Any ideas of what I could tell them? I live in a small town so I can't say I am going on vacation. I've lost 30 lbs. so my boss will understand if I say I have a health issue. I just, of course, don't want to tell him what it is.
I hope my surgeon is as good as yours AStrawberry.
Thanks again...this forum has been a lifeline for me.

Frustrated, I hope you liked your CRS and had a good appointment. I live in a small town too and didn't have very many choices of different surgeons. I think I just lucked out with getting a good one. I'm really glad that my story here is helping someone. Reading other people's stories was all I had a few months ago, and it really helped me, so my intention is to leave my story here so it can help someone else.
I am still doing well! I was able to take a trip with my girls for spring break after all, down to stay at my aunt's place in the country. We went hiking a few times, ate all sorts of junk, and I helped my aunt with some yardwork (she has an enormous place and she's all by herself). The only 'incident' I had, was yesterday morning. I felt some incision pain during the BM, and I was bit astonished at the size of the BM I had! It got the incision bleeding again, but after the BM there was absolutely no pain. So I know the surgery has worked, because a BM like that pre-surgery would have been virtually impossible to pass. And if I managed to force it out, it would have torn me up and left me in agony for days on end. Well then the yardwork I did got it bleeding a bit again later on in the day, but still no pain. Then, this morning, no bleeding, despite another big BM. My incision hurts just a tiny bit if I move wrong though, but it's not a big deal.
My follow up appt. is Tuesday, and I hope it goes well!

Why do so many GI docs think having an AF is a minor problem? They've obviously never had one!!!!
I have been to a GI doc and he told me that my fissure was minor, but it doesn't feel minor to me.

Hello all!
I had my followup appt. today and the surgeon says I've healed nicely. I've been experiencing some irritation after BMs though, on the opposite side from the incision??? He asked me if it hurt when he pressed there, but it didn't. So, I dunno...tomorrow will be three weeks since the surgery so I think it's quite early still. I wonder if the muscle on that side could be still trying to spasm? It's sort of a burning irritation. No bleeding though, so I'll take that as a good sign.
For what it's worth, I always have more troubles right before my period, and it's right before my period right now. I had quit the Miralax, but I'm going to start taking it again for a bit to see if it helps.
As usual, the mental aspect of this is worse than the physical one...dealing with the fear of it getting worse instead of better. Of course, if things do deteriorate, as the doctor said, I know where to find him.
However, I'd rather forget he exists, even though I'm extremely grateful that he does!

For 3 weeks post-op I think it sounds like you are doing well. Keep going!!

My appointment w/ the CRS went as well as can be expected...I should have went to him sooner (haven't we heard that over and over again on this forum?)
I asked him about the "minor fissure" comment the GI doc made and he said basically it wasn't minor for me. He also told me that the surgery was my decision to make...I had to decide if I was over dealing with the fissure. OH YES I AM!! so over it.
So my only advice...since I've learned how different everyone is on this issue...Go to a CRS even if you are not sure you are ready for surgery. I wasted too much time and money on GPs and GI docs.
My surgery is April 25th and I am not as scared as I thought I would be. The fissure is scarier and the thought I always had was that it was never going to go away was even scarier. Now, at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I have a skin tag too...so it's good to know ahead of time that that will be a little more of an problem. I am taking 9 days off from work...
Thanks again....

That's great, frustrated! WOW you got that surgery scheduled fast!
I'm so glad to hear that you're just getting it over with. You'll be so happy when it's done, and it really does give you the best chance to heal.