Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will be having LIS and a fissurectomy on Monday afternoon.
This morning I had a very good visit with Dr. B - the 3rd crs I've seen in as many months. He was extremely nice, seems experienced, and he listened to me. He first examined me - just kind of looked with his fingers - then talked with me, and I discussed everything, including my experiences with crs's 1 and 2.
Here's the gist of our conversation (my questions, his comments):
- What is chronic, for a fissure? Dr. B said that patients' tolerance levels are different, but that chronic is whatever you can't put up with - and to not get hooked up on how much time. If it's bothersome, it's chronic.
- Will this heal on its own? Dr. B unhesitatingly said, "No." He did not equivocate that, at all. He said that some people suffer for years and just put up with it, but other people become dysfunctional from the pain. He said that my AF can be fixed.
- How many LIS's have you done? Dr. B kind of shook his head, thinking about it, and said, "Well, I've been here 26 years . . ." (so, too many to count - he couldn't remember how many he's done. Later, when I was doing my pre-op paperwork and blood test at the hospital, a nurse told me that Dr. B has done lots of the LIS's.)
- Are there complications? (Infections, etc., incontinence.) Dr. B said, "No incontinence, and 95% of the patients don't have any complications - just about non-existent."
- Do you consider this a "big" (major) type of surgery? "No," he simply said. (Even so, this is rather a big deal for me, and I think he understood that.)
He then said the surgery would be two-part -- that he would do the LIS and also a fissurectomy. I asked if he could do just the LIS, and he said, "Well, I suppose I could, and there might be a certain logic to that," but he said that in his opinion, I might as well have him take care of the fissure, too, as a practical matter, so that everything heals at the same time. (Apparently, this is his standard m.o. with regard to AFs.) He said that the fissurectomy would be a simple removal - a very tiny type of thing, because my fissure is very tiny - and then he'll just bind the little area together with dissolvable sutures. He said, "We're not talking about a 3-inch area - this is very tiny, and the suture will dissolve by itself."
Dr. B. didn't seem to think either procedure would be any big deal. In other words, he seemed comfortable about everything. . . . So, okay. While, I wasn't counting on two procedures, I trust his professional opinion - just from his credentials and also talking with him - so, I'm going to take his word for this.
He also understood that the spasms are what cause the pain - and that the spasm cycle has to be stopped.
All in all, I felt like he really understand AFs, etc.
So, again, assuming my pre-op blood work goes okay, I'll be operated on Monday afternoon.

I forgot to add -
Dr. B. said that there are no "magic potions or ointments" to make AFs go away.
Just thought I'd mention that . . .

I like him already...LOL He sounds just like my CRS. I feel that you are in great hands and you will feel so much better by next Thursday!!! I am sooooo happy for you You have been suffering way too long. This whole nightmare will be over very soon my friend!!! I did not have a fissurectomy, but with your fissure being so small, doubt it is a big deal. If you need anything I am here. I wish I could hug you for real, but we are on opposite coasts so here is a huge cyber hug I can't wait to read your posts after surgery!! And also, I know you hate the tub, but, it is vital for healing properly and with no infection. I told you I did 4x a day and no underware for a week. I know you have a young child at home so the underware deal maybe difficult, just try to get as much air as possible and keep that poop soft. You are going to be so happy and pain free very soon!!!

Sue, I'm so glad you saw my post!
I think I'll print out your post-surgery forum entries, to use as kind of a guide.
As to airing myself, I have no problem with that in my house. My son can just turn his head and not look, lol. Even if I have to wrap a sheet loosely around my bottom, I'll do it. I'm not going to wear underwear for several days, and I'm also going to get myself in the tub.
Couple of ?'s . . . how warm did you have your tub water? Also, how much Miralax did you take, per day, post surgery? Did you take it the night before? --- I've been instructed to not have anything to eat or drink, after midnight on Monday a.m.
Sue - I wish I could hug you, too!! I've really leaned on you with this, and I appreciate every, single second that you've spent patiently answering my questions and listening to me. I might end up calling you, too . . . I hope that's still alright.
Let me know about the tub temp and the Miralax, please.
Hugs back atcha! --- and btw, I'm not nervous about the surgery - I just want a smooth, infection-free recovery.

LOL on the underware!!! I had the tub water pretty warm. I really don't know how warm to tell you. My CRS said the warmer the better, so I just filled the whole tub up and soaked. I had a little TV in the bathroom. It really was quite relaxing. I still try to get one every now and then just to relax!! The Miralax I was taking a capful every night before surgery and I did take it the night before my surgery. My surgery was late 2:20, I couldn't have anything by mouth after midnight the night before, so I was starving and didn't eat much that day. I didn't poop the day after surgery either so my CRS told me to take 1 cap in the morning and 1 at night and I had no problem on Wednesday. I kept it at 2 caps for a few days and then when everything was normal again, went back to 1. I am so glad you are not nervous!! I think you are at the point we all get to. Just do it and move on. Pain free living. You will be fine, I just know it. You too, will have a smooth, infection free recovery and by day 5 you feel like sitting at your piano and playing!!!

Okay - so, warm water - but I don't have a t.v. in the bathroom, lol. I'll just read.
My surgery is scheduled for 1:30, but I have to be there by 11:30 a.m. They did blood work on me today - and I hope that goes okay, so that I can just go in on Monday.
I have no idea about how I'll feel when I get home, but I'm going to try wing it on the Advil (? - is that what you took?) - and, I'll try to get in the tub, if my doc says it's okay. I can't imagine he wouldn't.
I'm a little bit taken aback about the fissurectomy, but Dr. B. didn't seem one bit concerned about it, with regard to recovery, etc.

Sweet Bugaboo, so glad it went well. I wish you many good wishes with the surgery, and am sure all will soon be a memory with your life back to normal. And so soon too. Whatever I decide, I am also going to make it soon. At least you do not have to think about it for too much longer and you'll soon be healing!

Thank you, savaici -
I don't mind surgery - I just don't want any complications, etc. I've already had 4 c-sections (major abdominal surgery), so this doesn't really frighten me (yet). I just hope I can have a smooth recovery.
I will be sure to keep everyone informed. I hope you feel better soon, too, whatever you decide to do.
Hugs!

Yes, I took Advil, I took 800mg right after my surgery on the way home and one more 800 that night. The next day 400mg 2 to 3 times a day by day 3 only 400mg and after that I think I was home free. The discomfort you feel, is just that a discomfort. The swelling is what drove me nuts, kind of felt like a corn cob up there....LOL the soaks helped with that tremendously, I would much rather have a few sore uncomfortable days than that spasm and fissure pain for hours on end. I wouldn't worry about the fissurectomy, since he too said your fissure is small. I just may call you tomorrow on my way home from Baltimore. I have an orthopedic appt. I was in a car accident 2 years ago and out of work for 5 months this idiot came out of nowhere and plowed into my Durango and totaled it, so now I have had a herniated disc in my neck and lower back for 2 years and I am NOT having surgery on them!!! I can deal with that pain and know my limits, I am really am done with this!! So this will be my final appt before settlement. I am just so thankful there was a police officer that witnessed the whole thing. The past couple of years have been rough, between that, my fissure and my husband broke his ankle last May and was out of work for 3 months. I said 2012 is gonna be a whole new beginning, starting with my but and tying up lose ends. So far so good!!! so if you see my number answer your phone!!! LOL

Sue, I'm going to pm you . . . :)