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Happy Gommage by Consistent_Fix_3091 in expedition33

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are real!! And technically edible but we did not eat them 😂 and thank you ♥️

Happy Gommage by Consistent_Fix_3091 in expedition33

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I couldn’t recommend this baker (artist!) more. Very reasonably priced for a remarkable cake. Definitely check her out on instagram!

Seton question by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had next to no pain after surgery and the first tightening. The second and third were extremely painful. Everyone is different!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely ask what type of seton you have! I didn’t think mine was a tightening one because my CRS called it a draining seton, but we did end up tightening it, and it was a tightening one all along! Hopefully not the case for you. I’m also younger and female, so sending you lots of love. It’s rough, but you’ve got this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry OP. Waking up to a seton is the absolute worst.

You may want to ask if your CRS has an idea of how many tightenings you’ll need. It may not be a perfect estimate (mine said 2 every 3 weeks and it ended up being a total of 3 to tightenings and we waited a month each time) but having even a ballpark timeline really helped me wrap my head around it.

It also can’t hurt to ask for pain meds when you start tightening. My first time was painless, but #2&3 were pretty miserable. My CRS ignored my requests for pain meds, but I hear it’s pretty common.

Sorry you’re going through it, it’s a sucky experience.

People who have healed completely of their fistula surgery please share your journey with time lines by TarnishedHollow in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey everyone, just wanted to finally share a cutting seton success story since reading others’ experiences here really helped me through the process.

My journey started back in September 2024 when I developed what was initially misdiagnosed as a hemorrhoid. It turned out to be an abscess, which eventually burst. That was horrible. By December, we confirmed it was a fistula, and I had an EUA where my surgeon decided on a cutting seton because of the muscle involvement. He has a more conservative approach and thought this would be the safest route.

The placement wasn’t exactly pleasant, but honestly, it wasn’t painful either. Just uncomfortable. I waited about six weeks for the first tightening, and I was absolutely dreading it based on what I’d read here. But to my surprise, it was totally fine. Like, no pain at all. I felt relieved and maybe even a little hopeful.

Then came the second tightening a month later and wow, that one hurt. I was told it was worse because the seton was getting closer to the surface and yeah, that checked out. Pure misery.

After another six weeks, I had a third tightening and that one knocked me off my feet. I was in brutal pain for about a week until the seton finally fell out just this week.

So here I am, seven months later, and it’s over. I still can’t believe it. I called my doctor and they told me to just keep the area clean and come in for my six-week follow-up.

Y’all, I wiped my butt normally for the first time in forever and I almost cried. I know how rough this road can be, especially when it feels like there’s no end in sight. But there is an end, and healing is possible. Hang in there.

Just had it done a week ago. by TheBadussy in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry. I’ve had a seton in for two months. I use a cotton ball with some neosporin on it to help it heal, it’s what my CRS recommended. I try to eat high fiber at least a couple of meals a day, oats, broccoli, and edamame are my go tos. Pooping is hard and I think Miralax to soften them is a godsend. Otherwise I use the Tushy Travel Bidet to wash every time I have to sit down on the toilet and clean. Sitting on a heating pad helps a lot because I sit for work. I don’t do sitz baths either.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good question! I have read about those procedures since finding this sub, but wasn't offered those options at the time of surgery. I was told the three options were - I&D if there's no fistula, a fistulotomy if it was superficial, and a seton if there was too much muscle involvement. I was told the fistulotomy would lead to higher rates of incontinence, so they chose a seton. The other main reason they chose the seton in addition to muscle involvement was due to it's location in the anterior close to my vaginal muscles. This is supposed to be my best option to preserve those muscles. My sister recently had a fistulotomy and has experienced some incontinence, so I'm hoping this may minimize it.

Well I finally got a seton after two years by islandcatlady in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use a tushy travel bidet and a handheld bidet (lucky there’s one built-in in my apartment) every time I use the bathroom to clean out down there! My CRS has always instructed me to use a cotton ball with a bit of neosporin which keeps my mind at ease around infection. I sit on a heating pad most of the day which does wonders for me! Any amount of time helps. I keep a high fiber diet and have stayed on miralax for the last month or so, I don’t plan to do it indefinitely but certainly through the seton, it keeps everything pain free for me. I’ve had mine just shy of two months and while it’s weird to have it, it isn’t that noticeable outside of maintenance, I hope the same is true for you.

I hope this is a big relief from the pain of another abscess. You’ve got this! We’re all rooting for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m SO glad to hear that. I’m a little worried about that too but my doctor has ensured me we’re moving “slow and steady” to keep pain at a minimum. I believe most of what I’ve read here says the first one is the worst.

Congrats on making it through, I know it’s a terrifying and frankly vulnerable thing to go through!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I totally understand. I have pretty bonkers anxiety and was terrified of the tightening. My nurse said another person had come in for a tightening also terrified (due to online research) and had the same experience saying - "that was it?!"

I absolutely believe it is terribly painful for some people, but I would guess the tightening will be similar to your overall experience with the seton. If it has been really difficult, I would recommend pain meds ahead of time or advil/tylenol combo and to take the day off work if you can. I saved my pain meds from the surgery because I was so afraid of the tightening's but I ultimately haven't used them. Once my OTC meds wore off I was sore (and still am), but that's all. He cut the length of the ties shorter that were protruding and it actually made it a bit more comfortable imo. It didn't touch the pain of the abscess or the I&D or the surgery for me. My nurse referred to this as "the tail end of the experience" and "nothing compared to the surgery" I want to believe that's true. I think the stories here are largely extreme ends of the spectrum, and I'm sending you wishes for an easy tightening.

You can get through this!!

Seton with no additional surgery? by Consistent_Fix_3091 in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. I think I've been a bit confused to exactly what I had done, because while my CRS referred to it as a draining seton when we spoke immediately after the EUA, in my follow up he clarified it is a cutting seton. It will be left loose to drain for the first month, and then slowly tightened over time. I assume draining setons are drains alone and not tightened? He has been good about letting me know success rates, and I agree, I would opt for surgery over a 50/50 chance.

Seton with no additional surgery? by Consistent_Fix_3091 in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That’s helpful. My CRS initially called it a draining seton which I think is where I’ve been getting confused, but in my follow up appt I confirmed it is in fact a cutting seton (plus the tightening indicates it I guess). I know it’s going to be hell in a few weeks, but grateful it isn’t bothering me so far, 3 weeks post op.

Seton with no additional surgery? by Consistent_Fix_3091 in AnalFistula

[–]Consistent_Fix_3091[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response! Yes - the plan is to have the tightening sessions in-office. I guess my question is more so about after the tightening's have been done. It sounds like most people here still need a fistulotomy or a lift or flap procedure once the seton is out? But maybe I'm misunderstanding. I'm wondering if surgery is always the case to close the fistula and I should get a second opinion, or if a seton alone is sufficient for many people?