Well, maybe not running, but things are moving!
With a little help from Miralax, and a lot of encouragement from forum members, my bowls and sphincter 2.0 are now cooperating.
Now, I will not say that I feel 100%, but it is a great relief to conquer the anxiety of learning to do that most basic of human functions again. The first BM felt like I ate a bowl of razors for dinner (keep in mind that I didn't go for 3 days, had LIS, fissrectomy, and tag removal), and the second... like I had a digital exam without lube . Today, no worse than going before surgery, except for one major difference; a quick sitz bath, and the pain rapidly subsided; whereas before, I would have been in spasm for the next 8-12 hours.
I think there is a learning curve to going post LIS. I seem to have found a good body posture , and while twenty years ago, I hated every minute of attending lamas classes with my wife, I'm glad I at least stayed awake for the breathing technique part... as breathing seems to be crucial!
As for pain, discontinued Vicodin on day 3 and switched to Advil. For me, Vicodin didn't control pain down there, it just made me, and for that matter, my bowls... not give a sh@t! Advil doesn't make me pain free, but it does take the edge off, and seems to reduce the swelling around the 3 incisions. In addition to pain meds, I was taking Valium; while this did make watching an endless supply of movies far more interesting; it also helped to relieve some of my anxiety about first BM, and enabled me to sleep. Now that I know what to expect , having had multiple BMs, and this being day 5, I have decided to discontinue the Valium.
In the incontinence department: I hope I don't jinx myself, but nothing yet. Passed quite a bit of gas, but I was well aware of it in advance and had no trouble controlling it... ashamed to say, but it felt GREAT! I may be singing a different tune when the swelling subsides!
So far, while it was not an easy choice to have LIS, and yes, the recovery is not a walk in the park (especially that first BM, and having to constantly jam cotton balls where the sun don't shine), I am glad I made the decision to have this done. While each persons circumstances are different; if you are suffering from a chronic fissure, LIS is definitely something to consider. If fear of the surgery is the only thing holding you back, don't let it... I had only one phobia in life, surgery, but trust me, after the fact, knowing what I know now; I would not have had any reservations. :D
Jay