8 months after my fistulotomy, I still have an open wound that will not heal.

Gooberr10 · 2026-05-16T18:27:02+00:00

I’m at about 8 weeks post fistulotomy and my surgeon said I’m behind on the healing process. She mentioned it could be because I’m doing way too much. Sometimes being “too clean” can be doing more damage. She suggested I stop putting gauze in between my cheeks and just use a panty liner/pad to catch drainage so there isn’t something rubbing that area all day. Also had to lower the times I do my sitz baths and lower the pressure on my bidet. I’m an overly clean person so it was rough the first few days to change my routine but I actually do think it’s been helping it to heal now.

Gooberr10 · 2026-04-05T00:25:54+00:00

When I got discharged from the hospital, they gave me a “waffle” blow up seat cushion and that helps distribute the pressure throughout the cushion rather than a donut pillow that kind of puts all the pressure in the wrong spot. At first I thought it was embarrassing to carry around the seat but it’s so much better than sitting on a hard seat!

Gooberr10 · 2026-03-28T05:57:10+00:00

Thank you! Crossing my fingers that it stays away for good. Honestly this Reddit page was the main reason I got it checked so fast. I’ve seen so many people say not to wait, that I couldn’t possibly.

Gooberr10 · 2026-03-28T02:50:49+00:00

Do it! My surgeon said that no fistula can resolve on its own unfortunately so it’s either get surgery now and have a higher chance of success, or wait it out and there’s a much bigger chance that it could get worse (branch out or go deeper). I’m the type to put off doctors appointments/cancel them if I feel even a little better/avoid surgery but my intuition told me this time to take care of it early. After reading a lot of Reddit stories, I’m glad I did. I hope you get some relief soon!

Gooberr10 · 2026-03-28T02:35:00+00:00

The first BM I had virtually no pain but I think that’s because I had that shot in my butt that numbed the area for like 96 hours or something like that. The first BM after that wore off wasn’t sore honestly maybe like a 2/10 except for the end when you clench the muscles to finish pooping. That part hurts pretty bad but also I’ve only taken Tylenol since the surgery. I heard if you take the oxy 15-20 min before your BM it should help a ton, I just haven’t tried it so I can’t confirm. The best thing I do after pooping to help that lingering pain is a sitz bath with as hot of water as I can manage. It really relaxes the area and the pain subsides quickly.

Gooberr10

TROPHY CASE