Hey Adam - I'm glad you're feeling better. Your plans sound very sensible to me. Life changes for most people here, from what I've seen. BM are no longer simple procedures and most of us carry "butt bags" in case nature calls when we are away from home.
I'm doing ok, thanks for asking :) I've actually been off the prescription pain meds for about a week. I've been using OTC pain meds when I need them, which is less and less. I'm still pretty tender, but getting better, I think.
I still get drainage. One challenging thing I find is distinguishing mucus from pus. What I've got seems like mucus - that is, it's thick and kinda sticky. (My bathroom is becoming a laboratory. I think I need some test kits and maybe a microscope!) I'm glad I'm not the squimish type. I don't mind inspecting gooey stuff, I just wish I had more information to work with.
I didn't have very much drainage after my LIS, but I've had this drainage since the fistulotomy, and I developed my infection after the LIS! My impression is that drainage is pretty normal after surgery, so I'm a bit suprised, Val, that you didn't have any except when you had an infection.
I will definitely ask my surgeon about all this. I just heard from my surgeon's office and my follow-up is booked for Wed. I'll let you know what I learn about various kinds of discharge and butt sensations. That's the kind of thing everybody should know more about! :D
Val - we will all be mightily pissed if you went through that surgery for no good reason. We will form our AFSF army and find your surgeon. But I actually think the surgery will work - it just really sucks that you have to endure a long recovery. You will get better!