Hi,

Hoping someone can clue me in (or reassure me, or something). Had fissure surgery this past Thursday. They repaired a large, deep fissure and also did a sphincterotomy. The pain, still, is AMAZING. I know it's soon after surgery, but the surgeon sort of blithely said it ought to be just about fine in a couple of days, and that the pain would likely be less than what I'd had. Uh-huh, sure. It's awful. Still cannot sit for more than about 10 minutes (and that's all the way over on one hip) and going to the bathroom (EITHER!), is a chore I do NOT look forward too. The "pushing" -- even just of opening that muscle, is way too painful. Also, I have nearly liquid diarrhea -- no clue why, but it can't be helping I guess. Also makes me go way more than I want to. (Funny because I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and for 18 weeks have struggled with constipation... weird.) Also, I can urinate, but only if I sort of squat above the bowl!! If I try to do it sitting normally, it starts to come out, in drips, then stops. Is this from swelling or something or do I need to worry about something new?

My main question is this: How long does it take to stop hurting so much?? It's a constant ache, sometimes nearly unbearable. When does this get better?? I'd told my boss I'd be back to work on Monday (that's tomorrow) -- yeah RIGHT. Some reassurance that this really DOES get better would be great -- I'm starting to get freaky that it's always going to be this bad. Help please?!

Thanks!

*Bump* Can no one help or reassure? Getting desperate...

Hi Winterlily,

Although I have never had a sphincterotomy, I may be looking at one soon and have been doing lots of research regarding post op experiences- especially on this board. I did a search and looked up a lot of these board members who went through an LIS and read about their recovery. I know that members named Chiggens, Kdoss, and WATCHOUT are three that immediately come to mind. If you do a search on this board under "Fissure" or "sphincterotomy" you will find numerous posts on the subject of surgery and post op experiences. You may have done this already, not sure. What I gathered is that the post op experiences were different for everyone. SOme peoples fissures were so extrememly painful, that the pain from the surgery was tolerable, as it was no worse and maybe even better than their original fissure pain. Some members who may not have had as severe a fissure as some did, had intense pain after surgery - especially if they had a lot of repair work to the original fissure and/or they had a hemmorhoid removed as well. You will have your check-up soon so tell your doctor about your pain. There is the small chance that you may have developed an infection or something like that. Also, diarrhea will DEFINITELY cause sever burning pain on an open wound as it is sooo acidic. That may be where some of your severe pain is coming from. I have 2 fissures right now that I am still debating sugery for. I just recently had a large, hard BM that tore it wide open again, worse than ever. Also, this morning I had diarrhea (I have IBS) and I am in horrendous burning pain as we speak. I spent the morning in the tub.

As for the urinating problem, that seems pretty consistent. The swelling makes it harder to urinate. After my hemorrhoidectomy I had a hard time urinating for a few days after. I had to get a squirt bottle and pour warm water onto myself to get me to go. Sometimes, I even had to stand up in the shower to urinate, with warm water running on me.

Hope you get some more replies. I know how frustrating this can be.

Good luck to you and your recovery. I sure hope you start feeling better real soon.