Hello,
I'm new to the forum and am so glad to have a place to go to for fissure info and company. This is a very lonely condition and one is not easily able to share with friends and coworkers about what we're going through. Here's my story. I've been suffering with a fissure for about a year and half now. Since I was 6 I've had stomach ulcers and was diagnosed with IBS which I believe have all contributed to this condition. Chronic diahrrea that's like battery acid is bound to eat away at this body part. I started with my gastro doctor Nov of '06 and we started with creams and nitro - these did not help. He referred me to a specialist in June '07 and we went through 3 botox treatments. The first 2 helped but pain and tare peristed. The last treatment did nothing. I had ILS a little over a week ago and have now returned to work but still trying to keep it light on strenous activity. My spirits are low as I think I was expecting some miraculous recovery which has not happened yet. Can someone advise on recovery time and what I can expect? More than one surgery. Thanks for any input.

Hi,
sorry to hear of your suffering, this is a very lonely condition, but you're not alone here, someone will be going through what you're feeling right now. Have you tried all the diets and supplements? I think aloe vera juice is good for IBS sufferers.
I think it takes a couple of months to heal from the LIS because it doesn't actually cure the fissure, just aids its healing, so its early days yet to give up hope-the statistics for it healing are on your side!
Welcome aboard!

If you had the LIS then the first thing that should have happened is your sphincter spasms should now be over and done with. Any pain that is coming from the actual fissure site will not end immediately, as the fissure hasn't healed yet....*but* now that the spasms have ended blood flow can return to the site of the fissure and it should begin healing....expect the primary healing to occur in six weeks or so. But the fissure is still vulnerable for a year or longer, as far as retears and incomplete healing may be concerned. I had the LIS one year ago and it was obvious that my fissure really didn't get better until about six weeks later...

Welcome to our board : ) ! I am sure that you already can see that we really care and support each other and you can feel safe here to express your feelings and ask whatever question you have. Fissures are VERY common, but people feel uncomfortable talking about it an suffer alone and in silence.
I had my LIS about 2 weeks ago and am still recovering. I would agree with Kim that LIS just promotes faster healing but it needs time still. It is individual and if everything else is looking good down there, (no unusual swelling, discharge or increasing pain) , you should start feeling better and better each week. Your body will need about 2 months just to recover from surgery ! So, try to be patient and take good care of yourself and you will probably do great : ).
As Val said- statistics are overwhelmingly on your side : ))) !!!
All the best !

Thanks to all so much for your input. I'm so glad I found this site and can see that you all genuinely care. It's so great to be a part of this. I"m looking forward to the future with you. Best wishes to all for a better new year.

Welcome to the Board Ethan Frome! I love Edith Wharton!

I am sorry for your predicament but can understand completely. This condition just seems to persist but I am so glad that you are taking control and trying things so that you heal. The LIS is very successful but you will need to give it time still. No one on the board regrets having had it done, and many wish it was done sooner.

Your stuggle with the fissure will come to an end. I hope you can get the IBS under control. There are some naturopathic supplements called Digestive Advantage that can help with different formulas for different types. I do recommend a probiotic supplement that can help keep the stools at a normal consistency.

:09:

Lecia

take it easy for at least a few months after LIS, even if you feel like the fissure is healing. don't let up on your diet/supplement routine, hot baths, and whatever else you were doing to help ease the fissure pain before the surgery. i had my 2nd LIS surgery 3 months ago, and i'm still not completely healed...so i know how frustrating and depressing it can be. but eventually, it seems, everyone does heal.
it takes time and patience and surgery definitely isn't a "quick fix" for this problem. i don't know why some of us are slower to heal than others, but know that we're all in this together even though it can feel so lonely sometimes... it's only been a week since your surgery so don't despair yet!

It takes me a month just to recover from the anesthsia!! so don't despair.
I have had mine for about as long as you have had yours. And honestly the best advice I got about diet and relaxation came from my Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr. he told me to cut a few things like grapefruit out of my diet and I noticed a difference within a couple of weeks. Perhaps a good TCM dr. or a nutritionist could help you too.

welcome to the board :)
You're right it is a very lonely condition, but you're definitely in the right place :)
Helen x

hi there.
welcome to the board. and now you are not lonely any more with this condition!
my CRS advised me that after LIS, I should expect a good 2-6 month healing period.
how you are dealing with IBS after LIS? there are a few people on here that do have IBS and I think have had the LIS done.
good luck with your recovery and keep your spirits up!