Hello All -

First of all, thank goodness for this forum! I have recently discovered it, as this is my first post, and I am hopeful that some of you out there can relate to my situation and offer a bit of advice.

I am 27 years old, and developed a chronic anal fissure after the birth of my son in July. After nitroglycerin ointment failed to clear up my problem, I resorted to LIS surgery in early April. I am entering my 4th week since surgery.

For two weeks there it seemed like everything was perfectly healed, no pain/bleeding at all, and suddenly in the last week I have been experiencing a small amount of blood after bowel movements and a minor burning/itching sensation. The only thing I can think of that may have caused this is that I helped my husband cut the grass. But I was told to resume normal activities and exercise was ok after 2 weeks. As you all know, anal fissures are a horrible condition to have to deal with and I am terrified that I have done something to ruin the surgery and I will not heal. I visited the doctor for a check-up, and he said everything seemed great. The nurse also said that bleeding was still normal at this stage in recovery. While I am taking note of the doctor's opinion, I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions or advice to promote a thorough recovery. Any responses would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!

I dont think the activities you did with your husband was the cause of the bleeding. I rested for 4 weeks and played sports on the 5th week. No blood or burning. Everyone is different though. But if the specialist said everything is fine then I guess everything is fine. On the 3rd week, I stopped bleeding. Are you sure it wasnt from a hard stool that you experienced?

I don't think so. Hard stools have never really been an issue of mine. I'm wondering if it had to do with me tapering off the hot baths. I began soaking in a hot bath again yesterday (twice) hoping that would correct things. It mostly feels like the itch/burn is external and occurs after wiping. There is still no pain during bowel movements (thank goodness). I use baby wipes, but perhaps I am being too rough...

Just to chime in, I had three weeks with blood, one week without, a few days of blood, and now close to a week without. I think it just takes some time for the wound to fully heal.

Thank you for your response! Those are the kind of things I need to hear at this point. The idea of the surgery being unsuccessful is horrifying, as I'm sure you can imagine. I look forward to being able to look back on this experience as a distant memory. How long before you were able to feel that way?

Still getting there! I am six weeks out.

6 weeks out of surgery now and getting better every day.
Several things that work for sure
- Take Sitz bath for 20 minutes after every BM for first 6 weeks
- Drink 2 to 3 litres of water every day
- Take soluble fiber (Benefiber or any other fiber as advised by doctor)
- Take complete rest and do not drive for 6 weeks. Though doctor said 2 weeks, it is a surgical wound. Also you have the fissure site to heal. Some patients have sentinel skin tag removed. So three wounds to heal. Some countries in Asia, doctors prescribe antibiotics for faster healing however here in US no antibiotics for LIS. So eat well, rest well.
- Eat lots of fruits and drink juices. Avoid sharp foods like nuts, chips, crackers, biscuits. Avoid coffee, alcohol. Avoid anything that can cause constipation.
- You can eat soft fibre rich diet, soups, juices. Two spoons virgin olive oil at night before sleeping. Also take stool softener colace or whatever the doctor recommends.
- Use baby wipes after BM and clean as if you are dabbing with the wipe [imagine how you would clean oil from the floor by dabbing with a cloth].
- During a BM do not force, stress or strain. NEVER TRY TO FORCE BM out. Take it easy.. Even if you have to go 4 or 5 or 6times thats fine.
- Maintain an excel spreadsheet with number of pain killers taken, number of bowel moments, comments for each BM, Time for BM, if bleeding how much bleeding. I had 4 drops of fresh blood after 10 days from surgery and on 11th day I had 16 drops of blood come. Till then from Day 1 to Day10, after every BM there used to be reddish brown discharge. There was no blood from Day 12 onwards at all.. From Day 15 discharge completely stopped. I went on Fruits only diet from Day 12 after the bleeding ( did not pass any clots so that was good). This helped a lot. Also I never slept straight on the back or never put pressure on the bum sitting straight. I always laid down on the stomach or slept on the sides. Also while sitting always sat on left hip or right hip inclined towards the side so as not to put any pressure on the wound at all... Also put a surgical gauze and surgical pad over the butt (don't let gauze touch the exit point - sorry for TMI but I think it will be helpful) and keep it in place at all times. Start sitting normally after week 6 that too not more than 30 minutes at a time.
TAKE GOOD CARE and TAKE PRECAUTIONS and you will be GOOD for LIFE. Enjoy...

pittmanb wrote:Thank you for your response! Those are the kind of things I need to hear at this point. The idea of the surgery being unsuccessful is horrifying, as I'm sure you can imagine. I look forward to being able to look back on this experience as a distant memory. How long before you were able to feel that way?