Hope, once again thanks for your input and support. I've been kinda down the past couple days and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that i will need more surgery. I agree withyou, i cannot live with this thing so i need to have it taken care of. I'm calling around tomorrow to get a consult with other drs.
Thank you also paul and dwarfs. Lots if info. My abscess appeared like a raised bump about a half inch to the left of my anus and LIS incision. I'm not sure if the drainage is coming from both places or not. I assumed that all fistulas opened uo into the anus. Am i wrong? Paul did your dr do any type of testing to see the path? So you have the draining type seton? At what point will you be able to have it taken care of? A year is an awfully long time. My goodness. I give you a lot of credit.

Hi Rosa-
A fistula doesn't necessarily have to open into the anus.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's after my abscess. My CRS was suspicious about IBD after my LIS (fissures looked like ulcers) and took a wait and see approach. I also had been battling with fissures for about 5 years before my LIS. About 9 months after my LIS surgery I got a deep abscess. After the abscess surgery I was referred to GI, had a colonoscopy, and official diagnosis.
The surgeon found the fistula during the draining of the abscess and placed the seton. In talking with my surgeon an exam under anesthesia is the best way to find them. If they are complicated, for example with many branches, they may use imaging. My treatment is with meds - Azathioprine and Remicade at the moment. I just had a Remicade infusion this morning actually. They try to avoid surgery with IBD since things heal slow or may not heal.
I really hope your able to find a doctor you can put your full trust in. Also, remember to keep thinking positive. I know it is hard sometimes. But with the proper treatment you will be on the path of healing and this all becoming a distant memory.
Take care.

Hey Rosa - I'm so glad you are looking around for a good CRS and getting consults. Unfortunately, we really do have to be so pro-active and assertive because so few doctors really understand what life is like with butt troubles. I know what you mean about feeling down. These things can really take the spirit out of you. The thought of more surgery is depressing, I know! But more surgery also means a better chance of healing - for good! I'm doing SO much better now, I feel like I have my life back and getting back to being my old self, but better (no bad eating habits!). Hang in there! Things will get better for you too!

Paul and Hope thanks so much for your replies. I really appreciate your help. I have an appt with a new dr. tomorrow. I am sooo nervous but of course it needs to be dome and i need to move forward. I hope this goes well. Hope im so glad that you're ding good and getting your life back! I want that for me too! Again your encouragement is so valuable to me.

That's wonderful, Rosa! I'm so glad you're seeing another doc. Please let us know how it goes.
Good luck! :D

I think you are doing the right thing! Like dwarfs, my doctor thought I had an abscess and sent me to A&E (where it took them over a week to dicover a fissure!). Abscesses are funny things, and not to be ignored. Good luck! Hope all goes well!

rosa i hope everything goes ok for you tomm with the new doctor appointment.. good luck to you.....

Thanks everyone sooo much!