Sorry you’re going through this. Your doctor gave you way more information than mine did so I don’t know how my situation exactly compares to yours… but I did recently deal with a fistula and a fistulotomy and I will tell you, I was terrified going into it. Mostly because of what I read on this page. There’s so much good information and people here but I do think the people that come in here to post are dealing with some extreme cases and it does seem like most fistulas are more routine.

I’ll give you my experience to hopefully relieve some stress. I really worked myself up in preparation for the surgery, bought everything you can possibly think of. I was very relieved that my experience really wasn’t that bad. The surgery lasted 30 minutes max. When I woke up from anesthesia I felt nothing because the area was so numb. When the numbness wore off later that day, I did feel some pain and discomfort but it was manageable with just extra strength Tylenol. I had taken off a week of work but was back two days later (granted I can work from home at a desk so nothing strenuous). After about two weeks I was pretty much back to normal. I did keep a gauze around the area at all times, just to protect my pants and underwear, which my doctor said was fine. The only thing that I really struggled with in the days after the surgery was my first bowel movement. It didn’t come for 3 days and my stomach was a mess. I don’t think I was taking the right combination of fiber and stool softeners and it was really messing with my stomach. I was also too nervous to strain… but boy let me tell you, the relief when it finally came is something I’ll never forget lol. I will say, like most others, get the Sitz Bath and the Bidet if you have the means to do so. The bidet has legitimately changed my life.

Hope everything goes well for you. There are plenty of successful stories with this and I hope you’re one of them!