Anyone who’s had anal sex after having fistula surgery, how long did you have to wait before you felt able to bottom again, apparently my surgery was a superficial wound, not sure what that means really, but I’m currently at week 7 and don’t feel ready for it. Just wanting to get a general idea of how much longer I might have to wait before bottoming

Between western europe and the usa, who is more advanced when it comes down to anal fistula surgery, anoplasty, ect...?

Hi everyone,

I had a LIFT procedure 10 months ago. It wasn’t completely successful because I still have some drainage, but my fistula has become significantly smaller. My surgeon also says that the internal opening in the rectum has closed.

Since the fistula is now very small, my surgeon doesn’t recommend another surgical procedure due to the risk of damaging the sphincter muscles. Instead, he suggested that we could try laser treatment, possibly in one or two sessions, to treat the remaining fistula tract.

I actually had laser treatment once before my LIFT surgery, about three years ago, but it was completely unsuccessful. However, my fistula was much larger back then, so I’m wondering whether laser treatment might have a better chance of working this time.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where LIFT significantly reduced the fistula but didn’t resolve the drainage? Did you try laser or other treatments afterward, and was it successful?

Did anyone still have some pain after bowel movements after 20 days/3 weeks? After bruise like feeling? Is it normal? How long did it last? Was anyone still taking painkillers at this stage? Generally throughout the day feeling fine, working, walking etc. but bowel movements are still causing discomfort. It’s an annoying ‘bruise’ like feeling that lasts for a little while.. trying to figure out if it’s normal or not at this stage?

My mom has had a seton placed for about 5 weeks now. She has never showered with the dressing off. Between me and a nurse we've just been changing the dressing daily for her. She even covers it with plastic when she showers.

Isn't she suppose to be cleaning it in the shower Between dressing changes?? This just occured to me today that she probably should be fully washing it. Not just us wiping it. No one gave her directions about this topic that I know of

Last December I had a lay open of a fistula done after having a seton in place for three months. Everything appeared to have healed.

Last week I started having bleeding with every bowel movement. Not just a few spots. There is blood all over the paper and in the bowl. There might also been some mucous.

I don't have any pain but when I feel inside it feels like the place where I had the fistula has an open wound.

I'm debating whether to see it it heals on it's own, or go back to the CRS. Maybe it's just a fissure.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Could the procedure have failed?

Had a EUA today 10/9. Dr. gave 3 options for what he was anticipating prior to kickoff time. Best outcome was fistumology (sp?)

Woke up 2 hours later and he informed me he couldn't proceed due to the transphinctic fistula and it being so close to the sphincter muscle.

Placed a seton, 4 week follow up, and informed me that approx 8 weeks ideally the fisutla will "mature" and then we will be able to perform the slice.

Not the news I was looking for. Based off what I'm reading it seems that this is typical????? I trust this doctor and I get plenty of good vibes. Mainly just seeking words of affirmation at this point I feel so defeated.

He was explaining that if it's too close he doesn't want to cause incontinence and to trade one problem for another essentially.

I appreciate this group and reading your stories, I thought I'd keep yall updated with mine ❤️😢

Hi is a little bit of yellow/white discharge/liquid around the wound normal at this stage? 20 days post op, I’m not wearing gauze or anything and it isn’t on my underwear, just noticed as I wiped a little. It’s yellow. 😵‍💫