Hi, I had surgery last october for a large, deep fissure that I've had for a long time, it was the pain that finally sent me to the surgeon. I had LIS and within 8 weeks the fissure healed. I still have discomfort there from time to time and I was wondering if anyone else has this problem. My surgeon said that there is like a little ridge right on the edge of the opening that could be some scar tissue but he wants to give things more time to settle down and see if it resolves on it's own. I eat a high fiber diet about 25-35 grams a day and I take benefiber and miralax so I keep things moving and fairly soft. I already had all the tests, the endoscopy and colonoscopy and my colon was good it's just the rectum that had the fissure and I still have a grade 1 hemmie. Years ago I had emergency surgery for hemorroids because I was bleeding to death. With that surgery I had lots of stitches so I do believe I have some scar tissue issues. I also have those nasty skin tags from the fissure. Sometimes they're okay and sometimes they get irritated. I feel so depressed at the moment. It seems like I'll never be the same again and it helps to have nice people to talk too. I got a little irritated in the area from too many trips to the bathroom and I've been soaking and using the rectogel. I know I can only use it for a few days because cortisone can thin the tissue, but I've never used it for any length of time anyways. I was wondering if there's anything else I can do. My husband tell me that I need to give it time and to try not to worry so much because that can make things worse. Any advice would be so much appreciated. Thanks Suzy

yes, give it time. your surgery was just in october and that's really not that long ago in butt-speak. i had my 3rd anal surgery in september and i still have pain every single day. i still have a fissure, but i also know that scar tissue can cause tremendous problems. i've struggled with that in the past too. give it some time, it hasn't been that long.

Yes, you need more time. Eight weeks is nothing, sweetie. Rectal surgery is one of the worst things they can do to you (my CRS's words) in terms or recovery because of all the nerve endings and not being able to immobolize it and keep it clean. (we have to poop, right? Darn it!). I know how frustrating it is. I have had long term rectal pain from nerve damage and surgeries. The remaining scar tissue can really be sensitive for a long time. I think you are doing all you can do to keep it at a minimum. Do you take any pain meds? What about anti-depressants?
I understand your despair but just remind yourself that you are normal and that with time it will get better but the progress can seem so indisernable. One doctor told me I could tell when I was improving when I started to talk less about my butt. (which I did constantly to my husband).
Was your hemorrhoidecotomy hard to recover from? The skin tags you have left can always been removed after enough time has gone by to see how they do on their own but again that is more surgery which creates more scar tissue and a chance for a non-healing wound.
Just know you aren't alone. My CRS also said that rectal pain is very difficult to deal with-that it can be very anxiety producing.
Hang in there-we know what you are going through.

Hi and thanks everyone, I had my LIS in october so that's 6 months ago. I had my hemorrhoid surgery a long time ago and it was very difficult to recover from. I was in the hospital back then for a week and I was on morophine. I did recover but it was extensive surgery because I was bleeding out. I mean how many people wind up in intensive care because of hemorrhoids? I think the scar tissue from that surgery is what caused me to tighten up which was one of the reasons I got a fissure. The pain in the butt area is about the worst pain I've ever had and I've had lots of other surgeries to compare it with. I seem to do good for a while and then all it takes is a bm that isn't quite soft enough and it's starts again. My fissure did heal but how would I know if I didn't get another one. Everyone's told me that even if I did, with the LIS I should heal faster, I sure hope that true. Suzy

i've had 2 LIS and still can't seem to heal a fissure, or when it heals up i rip it open immediately after. you'll always have to be careful even with LIS. just watch your diet and water intake and you should be ok. 6 months really isn't that long, even though it feels like forever. believe me, i understand your frustration. having had the hemmorhoid surgery too, you can better understand the amount of time it takes these things to "heal" and even then who knows if we'll ever be totally normal again. it may always be a sensitive area for you but at least you know how to take care of it now.

Don't give up Suzy, we have all been there and know what you are dealing with. Butt pain is and it can be life wrecking! It seems that some need more time to heal than others, be patient and make sure you have a good CRS.
Corsi

Hi Suzy!
Welcome to the boards! Please don't feel blue (I know thats easier said than done). This condition can heal. Many board members have come and gone with this condition.
I noticed you replied to the scar tissue thread I started. I had my LIS in August and still occassionally have the same feelings with scar tissue that you describe - maybe once every few months or so. The "ridge" you are talking about - is similar to my issues. When I have a BM, it feels like sometimes, the BM is hitting a wall and that wall will tare - no more spasms post LIS - just this scar tissue ridge. It's so hard to explain. What did your CRS say about this? Did he say he thought it would heal over time?
What does your doctor say about skin tag removal & how do you feel about it? Many CRS have different opinions on this.
I take benefiber & mag glycinate & that helps alot. I feel the same way you do - that life revoles around making my poo soft!
I agree with the others - it can take alot of time to heal. We had one board member that did not feel better until the 7 month mark. I have a friend that had surgery over a year ago and is just now starting to feel better. It takes alot of time for some of us, but it sounds like your CRS is knowledgable and your on the right track.
Jen

Hi Jen, thanks for your kind words. My CRS doesn't really know what that ridge is yet, he thinks it might just be scar tissue. It's very tender to the touch but from what I've heard here I guess there are a lot of nerves there and that's why this stuff cause so much pain. My CRS said he doesn't like to remove skin tags unless it's absolutely necessary. He said they are really a type of scar tissue that are created to protect an injury (the fissure or hemmie) and that removing them can sometimes cause more scar tissue and create another wound that won't heal. I know some people have had them removed but others just learn to live with them. I'm glad your LIS was successful. Mine healed my fissure too but I still sometimes get mild spasms. Not the all day type spasms like I used to get though. Have you had any retears and if you did how long did they take to heal again. Suzy

Suzy -
I hope your feeling less blue today. Our butts make us all feel like that from time to time.
To answer your question, yes I have had retares. I have had 2-3 of them since August. I healed from them in one or two days. My butt is about 90% better. I hope with time, it will be 100%. I think these things take so long to heal. I plan to take the benefiber for the rest of my life as well.
There are a couple of us who still have spasms like you do. I actually never knew I had spasms until AFTER I had LIS, once I did not have them, I thought "Oh, thats what those were!". Mine were never horrifically painful. I would have a dull ache all day and somtimes a stabbing pain. I still get them occassionally, but very rarely. Today I had a dull ache type spasm that was really annoying, but it is gone tonight, and I hope it won't be back for a long time.
Jen

Hi, I really think I might have a retear. It kind of burns and feels uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt when I have a bm though but I take miralax and benefiber plus my fiber diet and there is no blood or discharge of any kind. I also use a little vaseline on the area to make sure things come out easily. If you retear after LIS does it heal faster? I'm just so frustrated. Some weeks I'm doing just fine and then other weeks it's just horrible. Suzy