Hey all, haven't been on for awhile. I had surgery June 25 for a fissure and a fistula. The fissurectomy has apparently healed fine, but the fistula is still draining. No blood, just pus and whatever nasty discharge comes with it -- that disgusting fishy-smelling crap. My wife says the hole is smaller and less-inflamed-looking but when I see it in a mirror all I see is red spot that looks angry. I saw my surgeon two days ago and he said there was some 'fibering" (?) I think he said, but he sounded less optimistic than he did during my first follow-up two weeks ago.
Anyway, my BMs are fine, I take stool softeners. My diet has been high-fiber and healthy. I walk twice a day. Pain is minimal except when the pus builds up again then it gets hot and tender. I have been avoiding sitting since the surgery and yesterday was the first time I drove longer than 30 mins since the surgery. It was ok but I do have some pain now and a little more pus than I would like. I try to soak in a hot tub at least twice a day. I am finding that it is starting to get like it was pre-surgery -- pus builds up and I, or my wife, have to end up manually draining the wound, gently of course, but otherwise the pus does not completely drain.
I am very frustrated by the fact that I can go hours without any pain or discharge then I have a BM, no matter how soft, and the pain starts and the discharge begins.
I have been off work for four weeks and I saw my surgeon two days ago and he suggested two more weeks. I am now on a leave of absence after using all my sick and vacation time. I will be going back to work August 12 regardless of what my surgeon says on my next follow-up August 9.
I guess I am wondering if anyone else is having trouble healing? Any tips? I keep hearing soak soak soak but I am beginning to find that hot baths may be irritating me more.
At what stage of the non-healing process does one start considering ostomy bags to stop having BMs so the area can heal without regular inflammation?