Hello all! I found this forum because I'm seven weeks post-op from my LIS and still not as thrilled as I thought I would be with the results. Just looking to share my experience and find some folks who are in the same boat to commiserate a bit :) My background: I'm a very active 40 year old male who has always been proud of his "cast iron" stomach. I appreciate fine food and spirits and have always been able to indulge myself without worrying because I have a great metabolism and am very regular with my movements. 2 in the morning and one at night if you must know the details I also love HOT and spicy food! Never had a problem with digestion, hemmorhoids, etc. until about 18 months ago. First I got a hemmorhoid and thought, "geez - I'm finally starting to show my age." Then eleven months ago while on vacation I had a spectacular night of debauchery, got a bit dehydrated and constipated, and then made the mistake of rushing and pushing way too hard because everyone was headed to the beach, they were waiting on me, and I was sitting there on the pot. To make a long story short, let's just say that I have a new respect for all of you Moms out there I healed up initially on my own, had an ok spring, but then the most painful and miserable summer! I went from lifting heavy weights 6 days a week to barely being able to finish 10 minutes on the recumbent bike twice a week. I was scared to eat and not working out so I shed 15 pounds quickly. I finally got an appointment with an outstanding CR surgeon in August and she examined me and yes - I had a very deep fissure. By October I was back at the CR's office and demanding surgery ASAP - I was going crazy with pain, sitting on hot rolled up wash cloths at my desk all day (thankfully I work from home ) and spending all night doubled over in pain. My surgery was in November 2011, 7 weeks ago. The actual surgery experience was a breeze! It was under GA and I was in and out in 3 hours, and had my first BM soon after arriving home. I must admit I was terrified, but there was no pain as I was still doped up. And thankfully I had started on 3 doses of Metamucil a day a week prior. I took it easy for a week - no alcohol, no red meat, fried foods, absolutely no acidic foods or spice. I was expcting to be 100% and back to the gym in 3 weeks (like after my appendix) ...but I guess that was totally unrealistic.
I will state unequivocally that I am much, much happier than before the LIS but I still have a lot of tenderness and a few scattered spasms. Nothing like before, but still enough to cramp my style. I'm doing very light weights twice a week if my body allows. At 3 weeks post-op my CR removed a stitch that was irritating me. That made a difference for sure, but pain and irritation have crept back. There has been zero blood but I'm still experiencing a slight discharge every day. Maybe 4-5 drops. I'm really getting impatient because I'm going on vacation somewhere warm in a week and I want to be active! Not to mention that my body isn't quite as bathing suit-ready as I'd like!! Any advice for me?