After suffering for months with my third fissure, and having no success with nitro, I finally saw a CRS on Monday. He diagnosed me with a fistula, which explains why I wasn't getting better. He said I definitely needed surgery. The problem is that I am going on a 10-day carribean cruise on April 6. My CRS thinks I will be fine having the surgery on March 16, which is about 3 weeks before the cruise. Originally, I was going to wait until after the trip, which would mean waiting until April 20, but I had a painful, bloody BM this morning and I just said enough is enough, I can't wait 6 more weeks.
So I've booked the surgery for Mar. 16. I figure that if there are any complications I will just cancel the cruise.
For those of you who have had surgery, could/would you have gone on a cruise 3 weeks post-op? Thanks.

The surgery you will have is somewhat different than the LIS which I had on the 27th of February, but at this point, I am in so much less pain than before. In fact, as I lay here typing this on my Android tablet, I am feeling no pain whatsoever, just a weird sensation from wearing a Tucks pad between my cheeks and some minor swelling.
Good luck and, yes, I'd go on a cruise right now!
Rob

Thanks! Yes, I have been in so much pain the last few days that I am so happy I decided to have the surgery this Friday.

PLEASE keep us updated on how your surgery goes, as well as your recovery and any tips after surgery that you can give anyone going through the same thing (especially how you handled the first post operative bowel movement). Good luck!

If you're going on that cruise, one think I would ask the doctor about is swimming, both in a pool and possibly the ocean.
I'm now a couple weeks post surgery. I've pretty much kept up with my daily doses of Metamucil and MiraLAX. I suggest these two should be one of the first things you should pack.
And yes, you're on a cruise, but make butt friendly eating choices.
Good luck and enjoy your trip,
Rob

RAsmith and thisfissure, thanks so much for your help! I posted a brief update with a couple questions in the surgery forum -- I am the "5 days after fistulectomy" post.
It has only been 5 days after the surgery but am 100% confident I made the right choice and I am confident I will be ready-to-go for the cruise. I had asked about swimming before and the doc didn't seem concerned but I will get more details when I see him for my post-op appointment on apr. 2, since it is a very good question.
Rasmith, I see you mentioned Miralax -- it seems that everyone seems to love that around here! One of my questions in my post in the surgery forum is about how much longer I should keep taking Colace (stool softener). Up until yesterday, I was taking the recommended 100mg 3x/day, but I am reducing it to 2x/day today since I am going way too much! Pre-surgery, I took no stool softeners or laxatives and just took tons of fiber, which worked pretty good for me. Were you on Miralax before the surgery? For how long do you plan to stay on the Miralax?
Thanks again!

You sound much more cheered up and confident which is a good thing. I'm doing unusually better today myself.
The reason I'd brought up swimming, both in a pool or the ocean, were because of the difference in the water. Pools get treated with chlorine, and that tends to dry out skin, including our butts. The sea presents something entirely different, and that is salt. Have you ever poured salt into an open wound? I would, at the least, plan on bringing some sort of moisturizing agent with, perhaps coconut oil or a similar substance. Also, pack some witch hazel in case you need it to cool down a burning sensation.
As for the MiraLAX, I found out about it here, and began using it several weeks before my surgery. I am still using it as before and plan to continue through the 3 month post surgery mark. At that point, I will gradually wean myself down, making note of any adverse changes if they occur. As I mentioned in my own recovery thread, I do plan to largely maintain the diet that I've been on to try and have less pain, as it just works, and not only for my fissure.
Good luck. I know that you must be looking forward to the upcoming cruise. I hope it turns out to be a wonderful end to a difficult period in your life!