Hello friends,
I have read this forum for some time but decided today that I would share my story. It seems that only one other contributor has had this procedure, so I thought I would share my thoughts and experience. I don't remember the other contributor's name, but he is a Marine, that's all I remember.
I underwent the above-mentioned procedure last week at the Cleveland Clinic. I was surprised to hear from others that this procedure is relativity unknown. I have had a fissure for many years. I am 28 years old and I can remember bleeding in the toilet and on toilet paper since I was 18!!!! I don't know what I was thinking by ignoring it. I guess embarrassment. Over the past couple years the bleeding began to get worse and a skin tag started to develop. The skin tag was starting to get really big over the past year or so. It would get inflamed at times and was very sensitive to wiping. BMs really hurt. There was a really sharp pain that I would get, particularly at the beginning of the BM. The bowl of water would be colored red by the time I was done. I lived like this for a long time.
I tried and failed all conservative treatment. I tried lots of fiber, I tried a cream (from the cain family) and I also tried the muscle relaxer cream that I hear about a lot on this blog. That cream actually did stop the bleeding for about a month, but it came back and came back worse. The last few months were the worst.
My CRS at the Cleveland Clinic recommended the PBD and Skin Tag Excision. I agreed. The PBD procedure involves having a balloon inserted into your anus and it's expanded for about 20 mins. While that was going on I had the skin tag removed and also underwent a sigmoidoscopy for safety. I didn't have to do any prep (as in a cleanse/enema). I was surprised when I got to the hospital that I didn't have to do it. The CRS recommended anesthesia and I agreed. The surgery was performed on an outpatient basis. I was in the hospital at 6am and in my wife's car by 11:15am.
So, we're one week post-op. Well, I think I am doing really well right now. I have resumed my normal activities, generally. As for the fissure, I think it's healing. I have not had any blood in the bowl since the surgery!! I have noticed some bright red blood on wet ones (since the surgery I have sworn off toilet paper), but I only noticed it twice and it was not a lot. After the surgery, I spent that day in bed, very sick from the drugs. I was given wayyyyy too many pain killers and it made me really sick. I kept asking for some when I woke up and they kept giving me more. I regret that now. I have only taken my RX Percocet 2x. I take Advil occasionally. I spent the next 3 days (Fri, Sat, Sun) in bed all day. My wife is amazing and she really helped me recover. I decided that I was going to be as sedentary as possible. I think that really contributed to my recovery. I have been doing a sitz bath (they gave me one at discharge) 3 times a day too. I have been eating a ton of fiber and taking a stool softener before bed. I am also drinking about 60-80 ounces of water daily. I have been eating a lot of fruit, especially for breakfast.
The only issue that I am having now is some slight discharge and bleeding during the day. The doctor told me to expect some "spotting" for 10-14 days. It is getting less each day. It's some type of clear liquid that mixes with the blood and creates a pink liquid. I know it's not fun to think about, but it's my reality. My wife bought me Depends Right Fit. They're underwear that has a liner in it. I love them. I was very saddened when I realized I would have to wear them, but I have to, so I got over it. You can't see them under your pants. I am wearing some of my looser wardrobe this week. When I am not wearing them, I like to just wear a towel (at home) and a t shirt. It's very comfortable. I really hope that this side effect stops soon. It's the one thing that's preventing me from getting back to 100 percent normal.
Incontinence was my biggest fear going into the procedure. My CRS suggested the PBD over the LIS b/c of that. There is no cutting, so the chance of incontinence is lower. There is a chance of incontinence, but it's low, a lot lower than the LIS. You can google an NIH study that gives the exact stats. I don't count this discharge to be incontinence. Well, I really hope that's not what it is. It does not have an odor and I think it's just something that is a result of the two healing cuts in me (fissure and skin tag site). It is certainly getting less each day. The stains in my Depends are getting considerably smaller each day!!!!!
Pain is almost a non issue at this point. There was some pain in the first few days, but mostly with sitting. I would suggest doing it like I did, on a Thursday and then have the weekend reserved for bed. Make sure to have a nice light week too. I have crafted myself an excellent week for this week. I chose not to go into work until 11am each morning so I could wake up, have a nice non-rushed BM, a sitz bath, and then a shower.
Phew. That's my story. I will try to keep people updated if people are interested. I can't call it a success yet, but it looks like I may be heading in that direction.