Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Please come in! Start your own personal thread, tell us a bit about yourself...and your fissure, of course. Welcome!

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here



Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby PaulsPain » 07 Dec 2010, 20:29

For work- Everybody is different. It seems like a lot of people takes weeks off. For me, with both my surgeries this year, I was back to work in 3 days - had surgery on Friday and was back at work on Tuesday. I had a lot done also in my LIS surgery - LIS, skin tag removed, fistula layed open, and 2 fissurotomy. It just took me a little longer to get into the office since I would soak in the morning. If you work a physical job then I think you would need weeks since lifting isn't good. I sit at a desk all day so I would just lean to the side a little. :D Plus I think keeping busy is way better healer than sitting at home wallowing in the pain.....
They used monitored anesthesia care (MAC) in both my surgeries. Basically sedation without requiring intubation like general anesthesia.
This site was a good reference of what to expect.
Good luck.
PaulsPain
Proctosphincteranalogist
 
Posts: 161
Topics: 4
Joined: 31 Jul 2010, 16:00
Location: Midwest
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Guest » 07 Dec 2010, 20:36

Coonbottom,
I'd like to add: It's just my opinion because I'm in no way an expert, but I wouldn't let anyone operate on my anus that wasn't a colorectal surgeon( a specialists) although I'm sure there are General Surgeons that do fine. I would just prefer someone who specializes in butt problems and does the procedure more times than they can count....
If I were to go with a GS, I would definitely ask how many LIS's they have done and what their success was with them.
Maybe you could read some of the older posts and get an idea of some of the questions that you may want to ask before your surgery. :)
Guest
 

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby NeuropathicGuy » 08 Dec 2010, 00:46

I had MAC anesthesia too. As Paul says it's basically like general anesthesia without the tubes. An anesthesiologist monitors you the entire time and adjusts your level of sedation as needed, but for all intents and purposes, you're out ice cold from propofol :)
As for what I wish I'd known before surgery, I'd say the following off the top of my head:
1. That I needed to do an enema just before the procedure. I wish I'd known this for mental preparation purposes :) Sucks to spend all your time worrying about things that you know will happen, and then minutes before showtime, to get presented with a long plastic tube that you're supposed to stick up your butt so you can forcibly evacuate your bowels. That one caught me by surprise for sure.
2. That ummm "brown things" could slip out of my numb butt immediately after surgery. Found this one out the hard way with a "splat" when exiting the car upon arrival at home afterward. On the plus side it did create a very memorable moment for my wife and I to share well in the future though Image So yeah, wear black pants to the hospital or surgery center if you can!
3. That there would be a frat party in my butt for the days/weeks after surgery. I felt all kinds of weird sensations, ranging from the expected post-operative pain to simply random stinging sensations that just came and went. Not all were painful (although some were), they were just unforeseen more than anything else.
4. That the recovery timeline varies A LOT. Some people are back on their feet and largely okay in less days than you can count on one hand. Other people, like me, get stuck being rather useless for a month or more. It's hard to say what your case will be ahead of time, but just don't be surprised if you recover much quicker or much slower than expected.
5. That keeping the area clean is of utmost importance. If the surgeon tells you to take four 20-minute soaks a day after surgery, DO IT! Don't skimp here. I developed an infection after LIS which required a second surgery to cut open and drain. Not fun. This is a relatively rare complication, and in some cases it frankly can't be avoided, but in most cases, thorough cleansing will keep it from happening.
6. That painkillers are your friend. Everyone with butt problems is afraid of being constipated from opiate painkillers. And some people don't even need opiate painkillers after LIS. But if you do need them, take them. Don't be shy. A good stool softener should overcome any constipation they cause, and either way it's better than suffering through any post-operative pain.
I think that's all the blabbing I can think of for now. Personally I think the fact that recovery timelines vary a lot is the main one to keep in kind. I took forever to recover and kept wondering what the heck was going on. After being on this board for a while, though, I can say that recovery differs so wildly between individuals that I'd be hard pressed to pin down an exact estimate other than saying it's "a few weeks" in most cases.
NeuropathicGuy
King Fissure
 
Posts: 1560
Topics: 45
Joined: 02 Aug 2009, 16:00
Location: California
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 4 times
Gender: None specified

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Guest » 08 Dec 2010, 06:13

Ok I'm a country bumpkin-had to look it up and see twilight is Mac.
So I see thats what I had :oops:
I've had both but with this particular surgery I had MAC and It didn't make me sick or my throat hurt as previous surgery's have.
Guest
 

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Cagirl » 08 Dec 2010, 09:01

CB, I'm going to chime in too. I'm 6 days post op.
I had the same type of anesthesia as the others it seems. It's a bit of Twilight or Conscious Sedation with a few minutes of general mixed in. The best anesthesia I've ever recovered from! You'll only get nasal canula (oxygen tubing) in your nose, if you have this same anesthesia. I didn't do a bowel evacuation/prep and wasn't given an enema.
I can't even stress the importance of finding an experienced colorectal surgeon. One that is board certified in CRS. If you live near a large city, or can travel to one, there should be many. Mine was not only certified CRS but a diplomat CRS. Ask how many LIS' he/she does and has done. My CRS said it's his most common procedure. He has been practicing over 35 years. I was a nurse , btw (I'm now a full time stay at home mom).
I have to say I've had a very good recovery. None of the problems (I'm sorry to say) that NG has had. No unexpected gas, bm, just some post op pain but I didn't want to down the narcotics and make my situation potentially worse, so I erred on the side of caution and just bit the bullet and took over the counter pain relievers instead. I haven't had much bleeding, just a tad that I think has stopped and I could wear white shorts today if I wanted. I have had help though with my kids and have been able to lie around concentrating on nothing but my rear. I have to say I am cautiously optimistic though and know that anything could happen at any time, but so far so good.
Cagirl
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 90
Topics: 9
Joined: 12 Nov 2010, 17:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Coonbottom Barbie » 13 Dec 2010, 13:12

Afternoon to ya'll!
Hope you post LIS peeps are recovering ok. It was a really rough morning on me. Has gotten a little better this afternoon. But I am soooo ready to go home. My bath tub is calling my name. That's another thing...all these baths...I have kidney/bladder problems and I am not supposed to take baths. To fix one thing seems to aggravate another...oh well, I'm hangin in!
Well, really the only difference I am seeing so far since I am right now only a preop LIS patient is that my doc is doing general anesthesia and I have to say I am relieved! I'm allergic to most of the meds that are used for sedation, so maybe that's why. Also said my heiney would be shot up with some Lidocaine before going home. So is everyone in agreement about the brusing that happens??
@Guest-I am having the LIS done and I do also have several skin tags to be removed which the doc says those will hurt more than inside my heiney. You also made a point about the GS vs a specialist, I need to check into this.
@Paul-Wow, sounds like you were a trooper through it all! I am glad to hear it went so well. I do have a desk job, yet I do lots of walking around the office as well. Did you find that a Donut cushion was very helpful??
@Cagirl-You are the 2nd to mention the CRS doc and I am having a GS do it. Not sure if that's something I should be concerned about or not. I loved the GS and he told me in great detail what he thought I was feeling before I even said a word and he hit it on the head. He seemed to be comfortable with it, but guess I need to research a little further! Are you still feeling alright? lol..or or you having to chase that little one around! Glad to know you didn't have the side effects. I guess every case really is different.
@Guy-LOL...you've definitely kept my spirits up. It's good you can find some humor in such an embarassing and uncomfortable situation and I appreciate it:) I have taken all of your steps and have them in a quick to find place to look back at!
Coonbottom Barbie
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 8
Topics: 1
Joined: 05 Dec 2010, 17:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Guest » 13 Dec 2010, 14:59

Hey there CB,
hopefully your GS has done many LIS's and has had plenty of experience. Just the fact he knew by your symptoms what was wrong is a really good sign. I saw a CRS who diagnosed my fissure and skin tag as hemroids with no fissure, So there's good and bad even with a CRS.
I have to say having my skin tag removed that it was pretty sore for about 6 weeks. My CRS also said it would be worse than just having LIS. It wasn't too bad though. I imagine having a few removed will be pretty sore but hopefully not too bad.
I can see what you mean by the baths causing more problems. I developed a yeast infection from soaking for 10 months now. Thank goodness that's easily treated!
Take care, Good Luck!
Guest
 

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Coonbottom Barbie » 13 Dec 2010, 15:15

Thanks Dawn! So that didn't just happen to me! Couldn't figure out why I had a yeast infection b/c I usually only get them if I'm on antibiotics. It's that dang warm water!!! I now have tried to incorporate yogurt into my diet to help with that little issue some.
I do feel comfortable with the doctor I saw and others I know said he's great, so I think I'm gonna let my mind rest on that one. Wow, 6 wks...so you're telling me I won't be able to practice on makin babies for awhile?!
Coonbottom Barbie
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 8
Topics: 1
Joined: 05 Dec 2010, 17:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Guest » 13 Dec 2010, 15:40

Hey CB,
I haven't had one in 10 years or more but noticed the symptoms right away. Must be all the moisture from soaking...
I think you go with your gutt on your doctor. Especially since others have gave you there opinion on him also. That's something I think would have put my mind at ease. I just kind of chose a CRS and prayed because no one I know had used her.
On the healing~ yeah I'd say 6 weeks for sure! It sucks but it's sore for awhile...CB, it's just my opinion but I wouldn't work on making babies for awhile...maybe 6 months to a year. But that's just me. I'm not a professional. I've just read it takes up to a year, maybe two for the anus to really heal as if nothing happened.
I always got constipated the first few weeks of my pregnancy's when the hormones were kicking and I'd be scared to death to get pregnant after a fissure too soon. Oh well, my baby making days are over.Lol
I have a 6 year old and had my tubes tied right after she was born. She was the end for me,LOL She has 2 older sisters and a brother who are almost old enough to be her parents... Image
Guest
 

Re: Hey Ya'll, Newbie Here!

Postby Guest » 13 Dec 2010, 15:51

pss: I noticed your previous post asking about the bruising.
I did have a pretty bruised up area down there. I really didn't try to look but was drying with a towel and glanced in the mirror and saw bruising up on my cheeks. I barely had a butt left from losing so much weight so it was easy to see.
I think it's pretty normal but I bruise very easily anyway.
Guest
 


  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests