Hi,
Just having a clearout of my internet history and stumbled accross this LIS information from Wikisurgery:
Your Fissure Operation - Some Information
These notes give a guide to your stay in hospital. They also give an idea about what it will be like afterwards. They do not cover everything. If you want to know more, please ask.
What is a Fissure?
A fissure (fisher) is simply a crack or split in a sensitive part of the skin of the back passage. It is made worse by tightening or spasm of the ring muscle that holds the back passage shut. The fissure causes pain and often some bleeding.

What does the operation consist of?
The ring muscle is cut. This allows the fissure to heal - a process which takes a week or so.

Are there any alternatives?
Simple ointments and creams have not been helpful for you. Your fissure will not go away if you just wait and see. Stretching the muscle is an alternative to cutting it, but there is less control of the wind and motions after stretching. Cutting out the fissure is rarely helpful.

What happens before the operation?
Welcome to the ward
You will be welcomed to the ward by the nurses or the receptionist. You will have your details checked. You will be shown to your bed and will be asked to change into your nightwear. You will have some basic tests done, such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure and urine examination.

You will be asked to hand in any medicines or drugs you may be taking, so that your drug treatment in hospital will be correct. Please tell the nurses of any allergies to drugs or dressings.

Visits by the surgical team
You will be seen first by the House Surgeon, who will interview and examine you. He, or she, will arrange some special tests such as x-rays and blood samples. The operation will be explained to you. You will be asked to sign your consent for the operation. If you are not clear about any part of the operation, ask for more details from the doctors or from the nurses. They are never too busy to do this.

You will be seen by the surgeon who will be doing the operation. He will check that all the necessary preparations have been made.

Visits by the anaesthetic team
One or more anaesthetists who will be giving your anaesthetic will interview and examine you. They will be especially interested in chest troubles, dental treatment and any previous anaesthetics you have had, plus any anaesthetic problems in the family.

Diet
It is important that you have had nothing by mouth for at least 4 hours before the operation. This will let your stomach empty to prevent vomiting during the operation.
Periods
Periods do not affect the operation.
Bowels
The state of the bowels does not affect the operation. You do not need special bowel treatment, which would be painful in any case.

Shaving
You do not need to be shaved for the operation.
Timing of the operation
The operation is usually done towards the end of the morning or afternoon. Do not be surprised if you have to wait a little.

Premedication
You may be given a sedative injection or tablets about 1 hour before the operation.
Transfer to theatre
You will be taken on a trolley to the operating suite by a ward nurse and a theatre porter. You will be wearing a cotton gown. Wedding rings will be fastened with tape. Removable dentures will be left on the ward. There will be several checks on your details on the way to the anaesthetic room where your anaesthetic will begin. You will then go to sleep.

The operation is then performed.
What happens after the operation?
Coming round after the anaesthetic
You will return to consciousness within a minute or two of the operation. You may remember being in the recovery room and being taken back to your bed. Your head should clear within an hour or so.

Warning after a General Anaesthetic
The drugs we give for a general anaesthetic will make you clumsy, slow and forgetful for about 24 hours. This happens even if you feel quite alright.

For 24 hours after your general anaesthetic:
Do not make any important decisions.
Do not drive.
Do not use machinery at work or at home. (e.g. do not boil a kettle).
Will it hurt?
There is some discomfort on moving rather than severe pain. You will be given injections or tablets to control this as required. Ask for more if the pain is still unpleasant.
Drinking and eating
You will be able to drink within an hour or two of the operation provided you are not feeling sick. The next day you should be able to manage small helpings of normal food.
Opening bowels
You may have some of your old discomfort on opening the bowels at first, but this should improve in a day or so. There may be some difficulty controlling the wind from the back passage for a day or two, but this improves rapidly.

Passing urine
It is important that you pass urine and empty your bladder within 6-12 hours of the operation. If you find using a bed pan or a bottle difficult, the nurses will assist you to a commode or the toilet. If you still cannot pass urine let the nurses know and steps will be taken to correct the problem.

Washing
You can bathe or shower as often as you want, using soap and tap water. Salted water is not necessary.
What about informing my relatives and contacts?
With your permission, the nurses and doctors will keep your relatives and contacts up to date with your progress.

How long in hospital?
You should be able to leave hospital after 3 or 4 hours. The nurse will talk to you about your home arrangements so that a proper time for you to leave hospital can be arranged.

You will be given an appointment to visit the Out-Patient Department for a check up about one month after you leave hospital.

Sick notes
Please ask the nurses for sick notes, certificates etc.
After you leave hospital
You may feel sore in the back passage for a week or more. This gradually improves so that by the end of a month you are well. There may be some difficulty controlling the wind or even the motion for a week or so but this gets better rapidly.

Driving
You can drive as soon as you can make an emergency stop without discomfort in the wound i.e. after about 3 days.
What about sex?
You can restart sexual relations within a week or two, when the wound is comfortable enough.

Work
You should be able to return to work within a day or so. (I disagree!!! Its at least a week and a half)
Complications
Complications are rare and seldom serious. If you think that all is not well, please ask the nurses or doctors. There may be some bruising which settles down in a week or so. Infection is a rare problem and settles down with antibiotics in a week or two.

General advice
The treatment usually leads to complete healing in a week or two. If you have any problems or queries, please ask the nurses or doctors
Davo

Hey Davo,
Nicely laid out info. Thanks.
Interesting that they put that info about sex. Can't imagine even considering it right after LIS! :D
-Tanya

i can't imagine anyone going to work a day or 2 afterward. I can't even lie on my side comfortably, but I have stitches too.

A re-post for info
Davo