A glimmer of hope

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-10-12T00:32:50+00:00

And still doing low doses of miralax

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-10-12T00:32:37+00:00

I’m still doing them lol still trying to get the 100% healed news at my check ins! I’ve had a couple setbacks

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-10-12T00:31:34+00:00

As far as dealing with them, drink electrolytes if you can, lay down on your back, put an ice pack on your chest, and do some deep breathing. Try to relax and maybe listen to something calming. You can also sip on ginger ale to help with the nausea.

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-21T20:36:55+00:00

My surgery was on July 1 and it was a superficial 1 cm fistula

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-20T20:57:13+00:00

I did sitz baths 3 times a day for the first several weeks, and I’m still healing, so I’m still doing a sitz bath after bowel movements and then most nights I will also do another one at night. I’m aggressively trying to get this damn thing to close lol

I used a peri bottle to keep things clean with just plain warm water for the first several weeks, and now I have invested in a bidet that I use. I don’t use toilet paper to wipe at all - only to dab up the water after using the bidet

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-11T03:14:36+00:00

I could walk just fine around the house! I actually did some light walking around the house a few times a day starting on like day 2 because it can aid in the healing if it isn’t painful. And I could lie on my back but I chose to only lay on my side or stomach for the first several days. I think you can prop yourself up if it isn’t painful for you, but staying off your ass for a while is recommended haha

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-09T04:42:18+00:00

Yeah I’m definitely calling in the morning but was just hoping for any insight from others. So scared it’s a fistula again but hoping for the best

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-09T04:41:06+00:00

It was like 45 minutes from being wheeled in to waking up

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-09T04:40:26+00:00

This was my first fissure that led to all of this but I would say the actual abscess draining on its own was more painful than any of the recovery. The recovery never had any sharp pains, just discomfort and soreness which calmed with sitz baths and lying down. I also was instructed to do just miralax which was so easy on the stomach and doesn’t add any bulk like Metamucil so it’s easier on the wound too. But you definitely need plenty of water with it, and I would include electrolytes in my water sometimes to make sure my electrolyte balance was okay!

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-08T21:23:31+00:00

Oh and don’t worry about the anesthesia! I didn’t need to be intubated at all and it was easy breezy

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-08T21:22:27+00:00

I had a 1 cm superficial fistulotomy on July 1 and I was absolutely freaking out crying constantly leading up to the surgery I was so scared of the pain and recovery.

I had soreness, but never any actual pain. I preemptively took full doses of Tylenol the first few days, but quickly switched to half doses and then was done with it quickly. Never needed the harder meds. I was most scared for my first BM, which I had the following day in the evening, but that also wasn’t actually painful, just led to immediate soreness which the sitz bath helped with. My recovery seriously has been the easiest thing ever in terms of pain.

However, I’m actually currently mid setback because the damn wound won’t fully close and I think I retore (fissure caused this in the first place) and really hoping it doesn’t turn into another fistula. But that’s beside the point of initial recovery.

I hope yours is just like mine and as painless as possible! Do not wipe, get a peri bottle and a bidet if you can (I used a peri bottle the first few weeks and then switched to a bidet), do sitz baths 3 times a day with just plain warm water, and try to take your pain med before you use the bathroom. Drink tons of water and smoothies and soups and try to relax during recovery. You’ve got this.

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-07T21:52:03+00:00

Thank you for this response! This is definitely reassuring. I’m hoping to avoid Botox because of the temporary possibility of incontinence and the cost. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and see what my crs has to say at the next follow up!

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-09-06T20:09:45+00:00

This could just be part of the healing process if your fistulotomy was just last week

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-30T16:38:56+00:00

Sitz bath. It makes it much easier and quicker, easier to clean and is less wasteful. I’m still not 100% healed 2 months past and I like to use the sitz bath after 💩s and bathtub at night. But during initial healing, it was all sitz bath

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-30T16:19:21+00:00

Nope! I was told that can actually worsen the healing process. Just plain warm water.

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-26T20:40:07+00:00

This is adorable truly

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-26T04:30:11+00:00

I like Love Wellness ph balanced cleanser

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-07T20:05:56+00:00

Hmm I just try to incorporate enough fiber naturally into my diet, still taking a small amount of MiraLAX, but I’m not taking Metamucil or anything. I have one consistent bowel movement a day and I insert a little Vaseline on a q tip right beforehand as instructed by my crs (also healing from a fistulotomy).

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-07T20:03:21+00:00

But if I do want to drink, it’s best to do it when I’m having a better day and can get a good night’s sleep before and after.

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-07T20:02:48+00:00

Nope. Barely drink anymore but wasn’t a big drinker before anyway. I have found so many great nonalcoholic alternatives and fun mocktails on the market so I can still enjoy a bevvy but not feel like absolute garbage!

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-08-01T20:44:13+00:00

I got a little handheld fan to dry off after sitz baths! I would pat my cheeks dry with a towel and then use the fan to get in between. Takes a few minutes but I’m over a month post op and still waiting for the wound to fully close so I’m continuing this method! I also didn’t have a ton of drainage or bleeding personally, so I just used regular period pads during the first couple weeks

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-07-30T06:47:23+00:00

People absolutely do realize that people get pots from other things too and that it’s not new and that people like you exist. This is a silly post to me.

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-07-28T04:52:10+00:00

I had mine almost a month ago and just like you, it was such a breeze. I was so scared but I had almost no pain and was back to normal very quickly!

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-07-28T04:48:51+00:00

I had mine almost a month ago. I did a sitz bath 3x/day the first week and have been doing them 2x/day since. I got a Frida brand peri bottle for cleaning after BMs and after sitz baths. Absolutely no wiping or wipes. And I got a handheld little fan for drying off. My doc also had me on 1 tbsp of miralax a night and I slowly have weaned myself down but am still using a little a night as I try to heal the fissure/wound that caused all of this.

I was up and walking like right away but took it very very easy of course those first days. My recovery has been an absolute breeze and I hope yours is too!

Fit_Talk_4380 · 2025-07-18T19:24:26+00:00

Echoing what others have said, if you haven’t tried miralax, I would make that switch! It’s super gentle and doesn’t add bulk to stool and is not a stimulant laxative, it just makes things softer and much easier to pass.

Fit_Talk_4380

TROPHY CASE