Hello everyone,
I have read a lot of postings about
Anal fistula, fistulotomy, procedure and recovery, and I am truly grateful for all of the information I was able to find online. Thank you!
I also want to share my experience to help others.
It was very helpful to read forums because I didn't know that much about
the surgery. However, we also need to be careful because reading too much information or about
bad experiences can also become confusing and even scary... balance is the Key!
I hope you can find below a good summary and maybe the answers to some of the questions you may have about
this surgery or about
the recovery.
For me and at first, I thought it would be a simple intervention and that I would be all good after a week or so but when I came back in the room after the surgery, the doctor told me that I had also a Seton in place (I didn't know what it was!) ...the medication was probably very strong because I didn't realize that much on that day what was a seton ;)
The next day I realized that this surgery was only the start of a recovery and it was better for me to learn more about
it and go through it with the best attitude I could.
I had my fistulotomy with a cutting Seton placement almost 3 months ago and I can finally say today that it is now all OKAY. I SURVIVED :)
Now I feel very good and the recovery is 99% completed but the first 8 weeks were totally different (see more details below).
TRY TO STAY POSITIVE. You will feel so good and proud once everything is finished.
I also find that there are more people posting about
their negative experiences about
anal fistula than people sharing good and positive experiences.
On this post, I would like to share with you a summary of the experience I had with my anal fistula surgery in order to help others that might be facing the same situation.
I think it is also important to remember and to always keep in mind that keeping a positive attitude in the most difficult times we may face in life, will help us going through it better and faster.
I think our Mental power/attitude can be our best tool and be very helpful in any surgery/recovery and keeping positive vibes will not only help us going through the recovery but will also help us to keep a happy life during the healing process.
DON'T WORRY, IT IS DIFFICULT IN THE BEGINNING AND AFTER THE SURGERY BUT SLOWLY AND SURELY YOU WILL START FEELING BETTER AND BETTER.
My suggestion & tips:
- Keep the area clean (Sitz baths (5 minutes) 3 Times a day + after bowl)
- Keep the area Dry after shower and sitz baths (Hair dryer if needed)
- Drink alot of water (6-8 glass of water)
- Take your prescribed pain killers only if you feel severe pain.
- Drink food that a rich in Fiber
- After few days, try to go the bathroom at the same time everyday and try to keep that routine.... You will be able to keep regular bowel movement.
- For the discharge, you can wear pads or 4x4 (non sterile gauze) that you place between your butt cheek. (I had to change mine many times per day).
- Don't worry, discharge is normal for the first few weeks. It can be yellowish to brownish color and it can have some smell and especially if the seton is other material than Rubber.
My Experience:
- Small bump near the anal area (No pain).
- Bump was sometimes becoming bigger and then start leaking liquid (not smelly).
- Doctor said it is an Anal Fistula and the solution is a Fistulotomy
- I went for the surgery in the morning and it took about
30 minutes.
- They offered me to do it under general anasthesia or with Spinal anesthesia. I chose the second option with a feel good cocktail of medication during the surgery.
- The doctor came to see me after the surgery and told me that the fistulotomy went well but that he also had to place a Seton.
A new episode in my life was starting...
Day 1 to Day 5 after the surgery:
Pain, lot of discharge, not feeling good at all.
Need to accept the situation, the seton, the discharge, etc.
I drove my car after 24 hours and I tried to go for a few minutes walk everyday. Drinking a lot of water and trying to eat healthy.
Week 2 after surgery:
Feeling much better than first week, still some pain and discharge.
Still drinking alot of water and trying to eat healthy
Week 3 after fistulotomy:
Feeling better than week 2, less/light pain and still some discharge.
I Went to the doctor for a follow up and he tightened the Seton (Pain!). The rest wound was healing well and I still have to do sitz bath or clean with shower head 2 times a day.
Week 4 after fistulotomy:
Feeling pretty normal and I feel that the worst part is now behind.
Week 5:
The seton was tightened again (The pain may last for up to 24 hours after the Seton is tightened by the doctor).
Week 6-8:
No more pain. Everything is back to normal.
The doctor told me that we need to keep a cutting seton usually up to 8 weeks after the surgery and until it falls by itself. If it doesn't fall by itself, the doctor will simply remove it in his office.
My seton felt on week 8 during bowl and few days after I had no more discharge.
I was so happy and that is the moment where I totally starting to feel Free again! :)
I saw my doctor few days ago and he said that everything is OKAY but the wound can take up to 1 year to completely heal into a nice scar. I still have to see him again in 2-3 months for a simple follow up.
Good luck to All and remember to stay positive.
There are so many beautiful things we can learn and see when we face difficult times.
On the first 2 weeks after the Fistulotomy, you may find it hard to believe that you will be feeling 100% normal again, but YES YOU WILL! :)
Take care,
D
Post Edited (positivehealth) : 3/6/2015 5:05:39 PM (GMT-7)