Has anybody had a Sphincterotomy?

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Hi All, I've been advised to 'seriously consider' a Sphincterotomy following Botox, which doesn’t seem to have worked. Although I'm booked in for a second round of Botox, my consultant advised me to have the 'risky' op The risk he says could result in incontinence and this is what scares me. Has anybody had this procedure, what was the recovery time and did it work, without the incontinence? Thank you.

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  • Posted

    Read this posting!

    I am 61 years old and have had anal fissures for over 10 years. It is a horror of pain, fear and stupidity. The longer you wait the more problems you can have. I developed a hypertrophied anal papillae the size of my pinky that prolapsed every time I had a bowel movement. I didn't know how to get it back in afterwards. The last couple of years I finally figured the whole deal out and got to a point that things were controllable. Except the damage was done. My spincter was too tight. The growth was still there and when it got inflamed it took a month for me to get it back in control. So 2 things to make life easier. Keep everything clean and straighten out your diet. Then see a good colorectal surgeon ( do your online research) and listen to them. They will recommend a sphincterotomy and if necessary a fissurectomy. Take the plunge and get it done. You will get your life back as I did.

    You wont feel a thing as you will be anestethised. When you wake up you just have to deal with it! You dread the first BM ( I had mine an hour after I got home. Not good!). That is as bad as it gets. Every day, if you follow the post-op directions, gets better. After 4 - 5 days it's more than bearable. These doctors know what they are doing. They've been doing this procedure with great results for many many years. I kick myself for not doing it sooner. None of this is luck. It's just good medicine.

  • Posted

    I had a sphicterotomy on 3/24. It has been a week and aside from feeling sore in the wound area I feel great. I had 6 months of pure misery. First the docs recommended the nitro cream, then I had a Botox injection. I ate healthy foods and always had soft stool. It just wouldn't heal. So far I am pleased with the results. Best decision ever!

  • Posted

    I hope you proceeded with the surgery. My experience was fine. No long term effects. Completely free from pain...
  • Posted

    I had my Sphincterotomy yesterday - in short broke my back in an accident in Jan 17 when hit by a minibus whilst in a cycle lane!!! - had to lay flat for 3 weeks on a spinal bed and was given codeine - this all led to a fissure after being constipated.  Was given rectogesic cream to use for 6 months adn was in excruciating agony for up to 5 hours after a BM.  This pain was so much worse than recovering from a broken back so my sympathy to all felow suffers.  The operation lasted an hour from sedation to recovery (actual operation 10 minutes).  I am so far pain free but am worried about the first BM.  Having read some of the other posters you have put my mind at rest and i do not feel as apprehensive so thanks. I know every case is different but with hindsight i would not have suffered for 6 months just using the cream (which can cause severe headaches) - i am so glad i had the procedure. Regards Chris
  • Posted

    Had the surgery one week now.  pain during the day is manageable, however during and after BM is difficult.  Taking lots of stuff but trying to stay away from the pain killers.  Anyone had difficult BM after the surgery and how long did it take for the incision to heal?

    Thanks very much

    Trriz

  • Posted

    Hello ianee,

    I had this procedure this morning.  I’ve been suffering from fissures for a few months.  Recovery has been speeding along nicely for me.  Very little soreness but fissures in the past have caused a skin tag that was removed during the procedure and that’s barely sore but slightly more sore than the actual surgery!  I would definitely recommend this if it’s caused on going suffering and you have a great surgeon.  I definitely don’t have incontinence.  I’m just so happy that I’m bouncing back so quickly!  I haven’t even taken another pain med since I left the hospital this morning.  I had the procedure at about 9am and left at about 11am.  I’ve slept most of the day and have been up and about since 6pm.  It’s now 9:40pm.  Still doing well.  I’ll update sometime tomorrow too.  Good luck!!!

  • Posted

    Hello ianee,

    I had this procedure this morning.  I’ve been suffering from fissures for a few months.  Recovery has been speeding along nicely for me.  Very little soreness but fissures in the past have caused a skin tag that was removed during the procedure and that’s barely sore but slightly more sore than the actual surgery!  I would definitely recommend this if it’s caused on going suffering and you have a great surgeon.  I definitely don’t have incontinence.  I’m just so happy that I’m bouncing back so quickly!  I haven’t even taken another pain med since I left the hospital this morning.  I had the procedure at about 9am and left at about 11am.  I’ve slept most of the day and have been up and about since 6pm.  It’s now 9:40pm.  Still doing well.  I’ll update sometime tomorrow too.  Good luck!!!

  • Posted

    Hi everyone, this page is wonderfully helpful. Thank you all for sharing. Finally after 20 years I decided I'd had enough of periodic pain and trouble with wiping. It didn't matter how much I wiped a small amount of poo would always seem to follow a while later. My bottom felt like a multiple exit not a round hole. Hopefully this sounds familiar to others on here!

    I had my procedure today and have been seeping blood from my bottom. I can feel a drip oozing out every couple of minutes or so It seems quite watery. The hospital didn't mention anything about stitches so I guess there aren't any and my follow up is in 8 weeks. I'm in the UK and had both LIS, a fissurectomy and a tag removed.

    Pain hasn't kicked in yet after 9hrs and I don't feel at all hungry. Think I might have made a rash decision to have the op over xmas. Is alcohol really bad, I'm a regular drinker.

    Any replies would be very gratefully appreciated. Dave

    • Posted

      I have researched that Alcohol will dehydrate you.  So if you do drink, make sure to follow with a ton of water.
    • Posted

      Hiya. At the moment I've not got the urge to eat much or drink, think I'll be a lot healthier over Xmas than most years!

  • Posted

    Oh dear oh dear, I wasn't expecting to be in so much pain. I removed the gauze from my bottom and went to get in the shower but almost fainted. I had the feeling that I needed a BM and have now been. My colour is returned but I've had to buckle and take a co-codamol. I've eaten some cereal too even though I didn't really want to eat. 2 obstacles encountered, hopefully it gets better from here on

  • Posted

    Hi Iannee,

    It does get better but for some it seems to be longer than others.  I waited 4 years to have this done and wished I had it done right away.  Still do have some pain in the AM when I have a BM.  I did find that Advil also seems to help bring down the swelling.  The DR gave me a steroid after the surgery for 5 days.  Once that was done the Advil up to 6 per day seems to help.  I used the Sitz Bath for the last 4 years but never had the patience for it.  Now is seems to make a huge difference especially immediately after the BM.  Good luck

    • Posted

      Sorry for butting in, pun intended.

      Have you been really gassy or is that unusual? Considering how little I've consumed I'm passing huge amounts of wind and am incredibly gurgly

    • Posted

      Yes! The few weeks after the surgery, I used to get up in the middle of the night cause of bloating, gases were killing me, even I was barely eating anything that causes gas. It is normal I believe. Though they were horrible because mostly they were trapped and doesnot wanna get out,  It stopped after a few weeks. Anal opening muscles are still in recovery
    • Posted

      It's the only time in my life I've got away with blowing off at will :D

      I think I've been really lucky. I'm on minimal pain relief and am only sore for a short while after a BM. I'm still getting a few spots of blood on the panty liner but bone in my movements. Paracetamol and Movicol taken religiously has been the key

    • Posted

      None not bone. I could really frighten someone reading that!
    • Posted

      Before the surgery, being gassy was actually a relief because for me it relaxed the muscles.  Now it also does help because the muscles relax and the blotting feeling goes away.  I must say though that relieving the gas does pinch a bit at the area of the incision.  Hoping that will go away.  The DR did recommend Bacitracin (NON STERIOD TYPE) with a Q-Tip helps and it does.  Sorry for being so descriptive.
    • Posted

      Hi Trriz

      Haha, I think we've all been through enough that talking descriptively will never reach the embarrassing heights of the operation! You're comments are a real help and much appreciated.

      I'll see if I can get some of that in the UK. I'm guessing from Q-tip that you're in America.

    • Posted

      Hi Norbie,

      You are correct  BTW, the cream also goes by the name of Neosporin but the doc mentioned to make sure and get one without steroids.

      best,

       

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