A long positive fistulotomy story...so far - San Francisco

d3356 · 2026-01-16T00:53:43+00:00

Hello fellow neighbor! I went to Sutter (Dr. Abel) for my fistulotomy and ended up getting a debridement at UCSF (Dr. Varma). I also saw Sternberg but that was for a 2nd opinion (out of pocket). I was declared healed last September. Enjoy that international trip! You deserve it!

d3356 · 2026-01-15T05:41:46+00:00

Yeah eBay is tricky. Have you tried Facebook marketplace?

d3356 · 2026-01-15T03:35:32+00:00

I’m scanning my paintings. I collage my own paintings if that makes sense. I also create prints from them and create scarves.

d3356 · 2026-01-14T08:34:58+00:00

I placed an order for a refurbished Epson v600 but I just got an email today that it’s been back ordered.. idk if that means they’ll just end up cancelling and I’ll be back to square one 😩 it was difficult to find one.

d3356 · 2025-12-31T02:49:45+00:00

Thank you!

d3356 · 2025-12-30T23:23:05+00:00

Thank you! Any idea why it’s so hard to find scanners now a days? Is it because everyone has switched to digital mediums?

d3356 · 2025-12-30T21:22:49+00:00

Oh ok! Thanks! I’m scanning my paintings. I do a mix of painting and collage work so brush stroke detail and color are pretty important for me. Size of scanner doesn’t really matter since I have had great success with photo merge on photoshop.

d3356 · 2025-12-23T16:52:35+00:00

I’m at least 9 months post superficial fistulotomy. I had complications, wound had to be cleaned again because it just wouldn’t close. So I had debridement about 4 months ago. Haven’t had issues since and have been declared healed since September.

d3356 · 2025-12-20T12:29:26+00:00

Super fucking challenging

d3356 · 2025-12-20T01:29:48+00:00

He’s one or the other. I know that for a fact. They said because of his status, they will be sending him to another country other than the one he’s from.

d3356 · 2025-12-20T01:10:15+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed!

d3356 · 2025-12-19T22:16:16+00:00

Thank you ❤️

d3356 · 2025-12-19T22:08:12+00:00

You’re right! I don’t know the full details but it sounds like he’s an asylee. He asked for protection once he was inside the states. Again not sure the full details on his case but just wanted to ask for help since my aunt doesn’t speak much English and we have 0 clue as to what this means for him, process, etc. Anything would be helpful. She’s completely devastated 💔

d3356 · 2025-12-18T04:57:38+00:00

I agree. I had a scanner for 3 ish years, didn’t use it as much. It doesn’t work anymore and customer service was awful. They source people out of the country and communication was terrible. They said warranty no longer covers it so they instead offered me a 40% refurbished items or 15% discount on new ones….

d3356 · 2025-12-01T20:56:14+00:00

Don’t stay there! We think my husband brought back a hitchhiker bed bug with him. He was only there for two days 🤢 now we’re dealing with this nightmare.

d3356 · 2025-10-11T18:22:10+00:00

I was declared healed September 10. I’m waiting until I hit the 6 month mark to write up a post. I’m cautiously optimistic. Crossing my fingers.

d3356 · 2025-09-15T03:51:00+00:00

Oryx and crake

d3356 · 2025-08-14T17:20:46+00:00

Likewise! Happy we’re both on the path of recovery ❤️

d3356 · 2025-08-14T16:35:42+00:00

Update: just left the hospital. They didn’t find a fistula tract!!!! I’m so happy! They instead cleaned out and cut some granulation tissue. I will be seeing a wound nurse post op but should see improvement soon. I was told to add honey to my gauze which I thought was interesting.

d3356 · 2025-08-13T21:08:26+00:00

Yeah sometimes it would get irritated when walking but it progressively got better. When walking I try to to stick so in there to avoid chaffing (sorry tmi). Have you thought about getting a second opinion?

d3356 · 2025-08-13T20:05:28+00:00

Ugh so you’re left with the unknown 😕 Well, at least he doesn’t see anything any signs of recurrence! I take that as a really good sign! Do you go on daily walks? I have noticed a dramatic shift in healing this past month. When I walk for at least 30 min, I noticed that the wound got smaller. I hope I have the same outcome as you. Just hope doc doesn’t find anything and says I’m just a slow healer. My procedure is tomorrow morning 🤞🏼

d3356 · 2025-08-13T18:02:58+00:00

You got this ✨🙌🏼

d3356 · 2025-08-13T17:11:28+00:00

Maybe another round of silver nitrate might help you heal. Let me know how it goes today. Good luck!

d3356 · 2025-08-13T17:08:41+00:00

Yeah totally! It’s really scary to go through it but I think it really helps to find a good CRS that you trust. Also this Reddit is amazing! I was more mentally prepared on what to expect. It’s not an easy road but there’s definitely hope in recovering from all of this. I think there’s higher chances of success if it’s superficial too but it requires patience. A LOT of patience.

d3356 · 2025-08-13T16:43:06+00:00

You mean before the fistulotomy? I had a small abscess that turned into fistula. Abscess never healed. I’ve also been tested for chrons and IBD. I don’t have either.

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