This forum had been a great help for me while I was struggling with fistula and I thought I should return the favor.
I had been suffering with the fistula for last 8-9 years. The fistula would appear, cause pain, itching for 3-4 days and the pus would discharge and it would not bother me for 6 months or so. However , for last 2 years the problem increased and the fistuals started appearing 3-4 months. I tried diet control ( I am vegetarian, I increased fiber and green vegetable intake in my diet), tried Ghee milk, and even Sitz Bath but nothing really helped. I visited 3 Drs in last 2 years. One of the suggested getting an MRI done when the fistula is filled with pus, somehow I did not get confidence in him and did not do anything for next 6 months. I visited another doctor who suggested that I can consider surgery if and when I become fed up with fistula. Finally, I visited this Dr. in a semi private hospital (Dr. Manish Gupta-Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi) which has a lot of patient turnover. This Dr. convinced me to get the surgery done. He made sense when he said nothing good could happen if I continue to live with it. From my personal experience of 8 years, I know fistula just can not go away on its own. Once the track has been formed it needs to be filled with medical intervention. I then suggested that I currently do not have any problem and will consider surgery when the track is filled again. To this, the dr suggested that best time for surgery is when the track is empty and is not filled with pus. This would mean that less wound would be required to completely remove the track.
So I made up my mind for surgery. Next I wanted the less painful procedures to be performed on me. I read on this forum that some of the procedures such as plug,VAFT, fistulotomy are less painful, but the dr. said he would perform fistulectomy and he assured me its not as painful as I was thinking it would be. He said fistulectomy is the most successful treatment for low fistula like mine.
So I made up my mind for fistulectomy. Experience with Fistulectomy was awesome. I felt no pain during the operation (ofcourse because it was done in anesthesia). I was in OT for 1-2 hr and then I was released from the hospital same day. I had a lot of padding on my butt so it was a bit awkward but I was feeling no pain. Now I was worried about the next day when I would be passing stool. I had read that this was going to be painful. But!! I had no pain at all and after doing the sitz bath I decided to take a shower because I was feeling so awesome.
I got the dressing done from a professional and I felt no pain..the experience was a little awkward but not painful at all.
5 days post surgery: the wound is drying up. I saw some pus formation today and on another day but this is normal. I have been doing dressing twice instead of one suggested by the Doctor. I think it is better this way…I must confess, I am getting a bit tired sitting at home for last 5 days. The experience is not painful but awkward and boring. I am afraid of moving much because I feel whenever I move it is removing dressing and if the dressing is not in place it is causing pus formation and damage to the wound. I have stopped taking pain killer after 3 days post op and into the 5th day today I will stop antibiotic.
7 days post surgery: Visited the Dr. who though the wound was healing up nicely. Advised me that I can go a little relax on the dressing and can get my wound cleaned up at home (with bitadine solution) and apply an ointment followed by gauge piece. He suggested continuing doing stiz bath after passing stool. Said I could go to office but I decided to work from home for another 4 days because I had some difficulty sitting for long period and I was not able to walk normally so I being a shy guy didn’t want to go to office.
Joined office 13th day post surgery. Still some discomfort while sitting for long time and not able to walk normally but joining office made me more active and it helped the healing of wound..wish I had joined the office earlier..within 2 days from joining office I started walking normally with minimal discomfort in sitting for long period (15 days post op condition)
20 days post op- visited doctor for second post op checkup. He said wound was healing nicely. I pointed out it is still reddish ..he said that was normal. There was still some discharge from the wound; he said that was normal too. He asked me that I could stop doing the sitz bath and stop doing the dressing. He said I could just wash my anal properly after passing stool (using soap water and hands) and then get it cleaned at home. Apply ointment and place a gauge pad but no need to tape it up. His prediction the wound should heal up in another 2-3 weeks. I have no discomfort now. Attended a wedding couple of days back and invited guests at home..no body could see any difference because I can sit and walk perfectly now.
28 days post op- Had a good holiday trip..played volleyball, went to beach..though I stayed away from getting into the water..no problem whatsoever.
48 Days post op- Really not much to write about. The wound is pretty much filled now though there is some discharge from the wound. The dr had already told me that a dressing is not required and I can just keep a gauge piece to absorb the discharge if I wanted to. He said that discharge is not harmful if it is not irritating. I do apply the ointment once a day. Dr told me to stop sitz bath about 20 days ago ..i do it anyway. No Pain. No discomfort. I am doing all the activities. Next visit to Dr is in 10 days when he will do a final examination of the wound.
55 days post op- Had a final meeting with the dr. He examined and confirmed that the track is filled from inside out and I don’t need to see him again.
I highly recommend Dr Manish Gupta (Sir Gangaram Hospital Delhi) for those living in Delhi
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