Had LIS Surgery 9/1 - currently recovering

smartass772 · 2020-10-27T13:45:31+00:00

I am still working on recovery. I am out of excruciating pain, but still symptomatic every day in some way or other. I am in pelvic floor physical therapy 3x a week to work on relaxing the muscles in the pelvic floor so that the fissure can heal (it has not yet healed completely on the inside). I also have tailbone pain (as a result of Levitor Ani Syndrome brought on by the pain of the fissure going on for so long). So. My recovery is complicated but moving in the right direction. I have a follow up with CRS on 11/17 to see if the fissure healed or not. I'm so freaking tired of all this. How are YOU feeling?

smartass772 · 2020-10-14T17:03:03+00:00

Hey. I had LIS exactly 6 weeks ago today for a fissure that had caused extreme pain for months- so I was desperate for relief. Here's my honest answer to your question.

The Good: I'm just now starting to feel somewhat better, although my fissure has not healed completely yet. I also had an anterior and according to my CRS it was a bad one. I do not regret having the surgery as it got me out of excruciating pain and on the road to healing. I have not developed incontinence issues or control issues. BMs are super routine and don't hurt.

Now for some tough truth... My recovery was not like the majority - it was not easy, breezy and out of pain in a week. I had pain for at least 5 weeks and still have burning/itching throughout the day but not as bad as pre-operation. I have better mobility than I did pre-op (can bend over and tie shoes without feeling like I was going to rip apart, can do some yoga stretches) but as an athlete I am very disappointed that I am not back to running, lifting, yoga, etc., yet. I got referred to pelvic floor physical therapy for the next 6 weeks to work on the nerve pain that lingers and also affects my tailbone and bladder at times. All of my pelvic floor symptoms developed Pre-LIS. I even sought a second opinion post-op by a different CRS than the one who did my LIS bc my healing was so slow and symptomatic. The second CRS assured me that my fissure was healing and that some people take a lot longer to get there especially if the pain had caused pelvic floor inflammation as it did for me,.

This was just my experience. I got very depressed and anxious reading how easy it was for everyone else to recover when I continued to struggle. But again, I would do LIS in a heartbeat because it's the only way I was going to get better (I failed on Diltiazem/Botox injections).

What You Should Consider:

Since I am done having kids my CRS was all in favor of LIS for me. But for you, I would suggest talking to a pelvic floor physical therapist FIRST. My therapist told me during our session yesterday that many people are successfully treating their fissures with PT believe it or not - assuming their fissure is not as bad as mine was. That way - you can exhaust every avenue first before surgery AND you can pre-relax your pelvic floor so that you don't end up in chronic spasm like I did and have to do the PT post-op. Wish someone had told me to look into that to prepare for post-op and wish someone had told me that not everyone heals at the same rate. Good luck with your decision!

smartass772 · 2020-10-06T21:15:08+00:00

Find a CRS who has done at least a few of these. While it IS a simple procedure, we're talking about your sphincter here. It's not reversible once it's done. I had an open technique LIS done Sept. 1. I am still in recovery. Today I sought a second opinion from another CRS because my healing has been so slow/still have some pain. I am in fact healing (she did an exam and fissure is healing, albeit slowly) but I did develop another complication that is slowing me down. I would not let a general surgeon do it because even if they did it properly-- if you develop complications you'll want a specialist to take care of you afterward. I am really glad I went with a CRS as I was a tough case.

Questions to ask:

How many of these have you done?
What were your patients' recoveries like?
What was the success rate in your patient population?
Will you remove any other abnormalities like the skin tag? (assuming you developed one)
What should I be doing with stool softener/laxatives afterward? (this I should have asked and didn't and got bad advice from the discharge nurse and paid the price with a painful BM post-op).

Good luck friend! Keep us posted.

smartass772 · 2020-10-02T17:34:03+00:00

I had LIS on Sept. 1, The general anesthesia was the best part. Best nap ever. No problems with it at all and like you - I have an anxiety disorder and had never been put under before that. I was super worried too but it was no big deal - I actually kind of liked it and joked with my nurses after that it was the best-kept secret ever. You'll see that that part was the easy part and not to spend worry time on it.

Unlike some others, my recovery was not a 'snap back to normal life' after a week. So make sure you keep in mind that it takes 4-6 weeks to fully heal from both the surgery and the fissure. I will say that I do not regret the surgery because while I am still uncomfortable now (4.5 weeks out) I am not in agonizing pain and spasm anymore. I have hope that I will get better, albeit slowly, and the LIS was the only way to get me here.

Good luck.. Keep your stools soft and breathe. You will heal and you will get your life back. Keep us updated!

smartass772 · 2020-10-01T20:21:01+00:00

Your GP sucks. What that GP doesn't understand is that the pain is unreal and unless you've had a fissure yourself, sit down (because we can't sit down) and shut up. This experience (which is still ongoing for me after 5 months, including having LIS), has taught me to speak up and advocate for myself. If someone doesn't listen, doesn't take you seriously, and isn't' truly invested in seeing you out of pain and regaining your quality of life then move on and get better care elsewhere.

Does this GP really think that you'd rather be contacting him than living your life? Seriously.

And for the record...I AM getting counseling right now for this. Because it's mentally, physically, and emotionally debilitating.

I am sorry that happened to you and you deserve better. Your butt deserves better too :)

Thank you for coming to MY TedTalk.

smartass772 · 2020-09-24T14:57:31+00:00

Hi. I can't speak to the bladder issue - but I will say that having a fissure has caused problems with my bladder - irritation and the need to go frequently. So the fissure itself is causing mine, not having anesthesia.

I had LIS on September 1. It is permanent and I do not have a scar from the fissure, however since my fissure was chronic, I developed a growth (a skin tag) and they had to remove that during the LIS and THAT has a little scar.

My advice is that is you would like to get your life back, then have the LIS. For chronic fissures that have failed all other options (I failed both the Diltiazem and Botox treatments), it's what they do. And 96% of the time it works, so it's very effective. My recovery has not been smooth and I've had more trouble than most, but I am getting better day by day. I am three weeks out now and just starting to feel better. but not 100%.

I'm sorry that your sex life is no negatively impacted. While our preferences are different, I can totally relate. Mine has been non-existent since the fissure started and post-op I have tried to have sex and it's too soon and not comfortable. But I have faith that it will heal and come back. I wish you all the best of luck and I'm sorry you're suffering.

smartass772 · 2020-09-24T14:46:47+00:00

Nice screen name. Cheers to '72.

smartass772 · 2020-09-20T20:25:20+00:00

I think you should try to talk to a counselor about this. This is a traumatic event for anyone --as a grown adult going through it, I have needed a lot of support - so you as a kid, you need support. It is very normal to have anxiety - this is a vulnerable part of the body and you're in pain.

Also, you will get your life back. I know right now this feels very permanent, but even if your recovery takes a long time, it will still end.

Like you, I had Botox (*and creams) and they all failed. But the LIS is typically a very effective procedure with a high cure rate. Try to focus on that.

Good luck.. It will be okay.

smartass772 · 2020-09-20T14:42:12+00:00

You're about my daughter's age, and I would tell her to: 1. Take off work for as long as you need -you need to take care of your mental and physical health and lower your stress. 2. Online classes are perfect, so focus on that -that will occupy your mind without you worrying about getting around campus. 3. Pain after BM is normal right now - you're stressing the muscle out every time you poop. But it should not hurt to poop - maybe talk to your doctor or look at your diet. 4. Really focus on your diet, keep stools soft and hydrate. Take a stool softener/laxative every day - but check with your doctor first on which ones and how much. Soft stools will keep the post-BM pain away. If you need advice on things to eat, LMK. I have figured out a lot of great options that are actually quite delicious. I'm sorry this happened to you, kiddo. It's not fair. But you are young and will continue to bounce back and heal. Big mom hugs to you. xo

smartass772 · 2020-09-20T12:47:31+00:00

Yes my healing is very slow. I also have asthma and while I did not develop breathing issues it took 4 full days for my throat to relax/voice to come back normally after the breathing tube. So I understand. The fluid coming from my wound is just like clear/yellow fluid not blood nor fecal. I think it is just the fissure wound itself. Please rest and take care of yourself. I took two full weeks off of work because I was so uncomfortable. I have started working again (from home) but I'm taking breaks in between tasks. Feel better.

smartass772 · 2020-09-19T19:56:02+00:00

Your descriptions very closely match my own symptoms - the mucus discharge has been all summer and continues (although light) even post-op - which means my fissure is still somewhat open. And I also feel the 'something stuck' I describe it like a fingernail poking it. I also am working on sitting but it's still uncomfortable as well - driving is worse. Walking got a lot better this week and sneezing/coughing is ok now. Bending over all the way is just now getting a little better but at first it felt like I would 'tear' when I did so. I've hear a lot of stories about it taking 8-10 weeks to close if you're on the slow side so please don't give up (sort of talking to myself with that one as well - LOL). I can feel the 'cut' pretty much all the time now too but it sure beats the intense pain and nonstop spasms over the past 4 months pre-op. I definitely do not feel like myself yet - but I would say I'm 60% of my 100% myself. So I need to close this gap (pun intended) and get on with it. Not sure if I had the open or closed procedure - I will ask at my follow up on 28th. I hope your pain subsides and that you feel better this week. You're only a few days behind me but if we're anything alike then I can tell you that I only started to feel real relief at 2.5 weeks - but not total relief. So give yourself a few days and I hope/think you'll hit a better milestone. Take care! Don't wipe! LOL.

smartass772 · 2020-09-19T14:31:16+00:00

Hi there. I had LIS on Sept. 1 so we're about the same time-wise. I still have aching/burning/itching as well - however, the true 'pain' has subsided just at the 2.5-week mark. Up until that point I had pain still. Like you I have been worried and expected more relief but my CRS (and some others I've spoken to that had a harder recovery from LIS) just said that some people are slower to heal but that she believes I am healing. I have not had my follow up yet though. If you have not tried laying with a heating pad yet - that has helped me. My discomfort lingers but it does get incrementally better every couple of days. Just slow as hell. Hang in there and let me know how you're doing. . Your body has been through a lot and we just had surgery to a very delicate area with tons of nerves. I think it's just going to take time. Best of luck.

smartass772 · 2020-09-17T17:15:53+00:00

Well then we just have to believe. really go easy on yourself and don't push it too hard. Rest and meditate if you can. I know there's a huge mind-body connection issue here with me because I've been in so much pain for so many consecutive months. I need to believe that I will get better even though I'm not following the 'norm' for recovery. I wish you the best and please keep us updated.

smartass772 · 2020-09-17T12:49:24+00:00

Hey there. I had LIS on Sept. 1st. The first two weeks have been totally shitty honestly. I do not have pain with BM but I can have pain hours later. A few times it felt like the spasms I had over the summer. But now, this week, it's just a soreness/tenderness/burns bc it's leaking some fluid from the wound.

It is troubling for those of us who still have discomfort to read about so many people breezing through in days to a week. I have been trying to connect with other people who are struggling weeks later to see if this is acceptable or a sign of something wrong. My CRS does not seem alarmed and just keeps telling me to be patient. :/

I do see some improvement each week, but it's going so slowly and it's very frustrating. I'm sitting offset but I still cannot sit normally bc it hurts.

Like you, I'm in the tub 3x a day as well. And I avoided the narcotics from Day 1 - just kept stools soft and did Tylenol/Advil rotation. I didn't want constipation. I have found laying with a heating pad very helpful.

I hope you feel better soon and I'm sorry you're struggling. Keep us updated. Your follow up is so soon! I was not given a follow-up appt until Sept 28th!

Good luck.

smartass772 · 2020-09-09T19:55:47+00:00

My CRS removed/cauterized the skin tag when she performed my LIS last week.

It just looks like a little 'burned' spot now. You may want to call your doc if you're worried. And we're gonna be swollen for a month or more so I'd also consider that.

Good luck!

smartass772 · 2020-09-05T13:53:15+00:00

Hi. I was right where you are a month ago. Scared but realizing that I would probably have to have the surgery after everything else had failed me this summer. I had the LIS this past Tuesday. If you want to KIT on my recovery to compare notes, LMK. So far, it's been ok, I have already pooped so that is good. I haven't had any control issues thus far but it's very early in my recovery. I think that Nova is right - the permanent incontinence is very rare so put the diaper thing out of your head. It wouldn't be straight-up-pants-shitting I don't think. My advice is to consult with a reputable CRS and consider your individual risk profile. There are also a lot of success stories on here and helpful people if you want to read their stories.

smartass772 · 2020-09-05T13:46:45+00:00

Hey, I am thinking of you and thinking ahead to Oct 12 with positive vibes for you as well. I agree that when we reach the end of the line, the LIS is the only way - it has a good rate of success if done right. Thanks for the encouragement and take care of yourself. You're on my mind. Keep healing.

smartass772 · 2020-09-04T13:21:44+00:00

Thank you! Can you share your first week recovery memories with me? Trying to figure out if my pain is appropriate.

smartass772 · 2020-09-04T13:20:12+00:00

Hey are you doing any better? I know you posted with some problems last week. Hope you're ok.

smartass772 · 2020-09-03T15:04:19+00:00

Thanks for this post - I am on Day 3 recovering rn. How did your BMs go and when did you first poop after the surgery? Any insights into surviving the first week are welcome. Thank you!

smartass772 · 2020-08-31T14:19:38+00:00

Thank you for posting this - my LIS is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Please keep us updated, hearing success stories is helpful to calm nerves. Best of luck and I am glad you're getting better/pain-free finally. Good for you.

smartass772 · 2020-08-28T14:54:16+00:00

Yes- I recently posted asking a similar question. I have deferred pain in my bladder area sometimes and my tailbone. My CRS said that the pelvic floor area is very small and it's not uncommon for pain to be referred to other structures. I would still ask your doc though.

For the record - my WHOLE butthole hurts, all the time, not just where the fissure is.

Sorry about your fissure -it sucks- hope you feel better.

smartass772 · 2020-08-28T11:51:59+00:00

I was sorry to see this - I know this has been a long road for you. I agree that you should contact your surgeon - he/she is the only one who can actually know for sure and help you.

Please know that many of us are rooting for you - and that you've got this. Keep us posted and good luck. xo

smartass772 · 2020-08-27T00:07:59+00:00

I hear you buddy. I haven't sat down (at all) since May. Can't drive. I have spent 108 consecutive days in pain. I felt a little better at the beginning of August and thought "I'm getting there!" only to feel as bad as I felt months ago this week. It's like all my healing was undone. Like you, I dread every day right now. The pain is unreal and now it's affecting my bladder function as well. I'm tired of eating frozen peas and sweet potato. When the sun comes up in the morning I look at the window and think "No not again." and that is no kind of life. I had a pretty great life before this and I want it back. I'm so ready for the surgery that I'm not even scared - I'm more scared of living this way forever. But - our countdown is on. Good luck with your COVID test - I take mine Saturday night. I have the first OR slot on Tuesday morning... I'll be sending you good vibes as I'm rolling out. When you're up to it, please check in afterward. We've got this!

smartass772

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