Hi toomuch - I've just read through your 4 posts to get a better idea of your story. We're practically twins. Trust me, I
know how scared you feel anticipating LIS, because I suffered AF pain for 20 years or more, and saw my first CRS at least 7 years ago before deciding enough is enough (hence, my user name :) ). But I really think you are doing the right thing. You've put up with this nonsense long enough.
I had my LIS on 2/15/13. Please read my other posts. It was outpatient surgery; the procedure itself (per my CRS) takes about 4 minutes. My husband and I were away from home a total of 3 hours that day, and I took 5 days off from work (the last one really should have been called "vacation.") I'm not one to opt for surgery lightly, or say it's the first line of defense for anyone. I've used enough Nifedipene cream for a small army, and went for years thinking "I'll just cope." I've never had kids, so my AFs didn't result from childbirth - just good old too-tight muscle tone combined with constipation, resulting in the endless hamster wheel of chronic re-fissuring. Pain wears us down - I felt like it was carving grooves in my brain, and affecting my job performance and my marriage. I'm 59 years old - and one day, I just thought "I'm too old for this s**t!!!
I was just as embarrassed as you've been; I probably watched the exact same online videos you did, and ended up totally freaked out. Everyone'e experience is different, and I'm not going to promise you won't feel
any post-LIS pain. What I can tell you is that I was really surprised by the vast difference between what I'd built up in my mind, and the reality of the thing. My post-surgical pain was quite manageable - I took 5 narcotic pain pills, then switched to over-the-counter - and the dreaded first few BMs weren't nearly as bad as I'd feared.
Four children and three jobs? Good Lord, you have your hands full! Take all the time you need to heal, and
ask for help. As for the embarrassment of talking about it - my explanation was something along the lines of "I've had a minor surgical procedure, and I won't be at work or driving my car for a few days." That's really all anyone needs to know.
All best wishes, and post again if you have any questions. I have to work today (Sunday), but will check the board as I can.