Coping With Fistulotomy

I had an abscess in June of 2006 that was so painful the doctor put me under anesthetic to drain it and he also put a plastic ring to keep the drain hole open. I wore that ring for about a month. He said once it healed, I could try getting a fistula plug. This was a non-invasive procedure (inserting the skin of a pig into the fistula) that worked in approximately 83% of patients.

I got the plug surgery several months later and after a week, it came out. I was so disappointed and upset, not knowing what was next that I decided to wait before I took any more steps. I asked the doctor if there was any chance it could heal on it’s own, and he said there’s always a chance and it wouldn’t hurt to wait a while to see. Unfortunately, my fistula did not heal.

So, back to the doctor…he then referred me to a different doctor that did the clinical study on the fistula plug to see what the chances were that a second attempt would work. No luck for me, my fistula was too short and he said that a plug would never stay in. He then referred me to a doctor who had success with new procedure called a “slide” I believe. From what I understand, an incision could be made in the middle of the fistula and he would sew up the right side then sew up the left side - all without cutting into the muscle. I thought it over for several months and finally scheduled the procedure. Again, my luck was bad, he could not do the new procedure due to how short my fistula was, so he performed the fistulotomy

The recovery from the fistulotomy has been difficult. Unfortunately, I sit at my job all day, which is very uncomfortable. I’m in the 3rd week of recovery now and am still having soreness, bleeding and other drainage. I talked to the doctor and he is monitoring my progress and thinks I should be better in about one more month. In the meantime, I am to soak 2-3 times a day; get 25-30 grams of fiber (Metamucil or /Konsyl & Fiber One cereal was recommended by the nurse!)and drink 8 glasses of water a day. He said if it does not heal properly, he will have to go in and make a small incision to open it up and let it heal again…my luck so far has not been so good, so please say a prayer for me, I need all the help I can get!