Post Op Fistulotomy
I am day 1 post fistulotomy (29F) and wanted to share my timeline so far and seek any advice for aftercare/ healing. Honestly this has been a nightmare experience so far so I am really hoping I have a smooth healing process so please give any tips and tricks!
Oct/Nov- first noticed pain on left buttock near anus and went to urgent care to have it assessed. They said it was an anal abscess but could not drain it so they gave me antibiotics. Completed that round of antibiotics and the absence began draining naturally, but did not fully heal.
Dec- went back to that urgent care for follow up due to continued draining. They prescribed me another antibiotic and told me to follow up with my primary care
Life and mental health got in the way, ended up putting off following up with primary care for a while
Feb- met with primary care and they assisted the abscess/continued drainage. This appointment felt very dismissive and basically they said that abscesses can take a long time to heal, and it was normal I was still having drainage
March- went back to primary care and met with a different provider, this was the first time a fistula was mentioned/ assessed for with a rectal exam. They then referred me to a surgeon for further exam
April- met with surgeon and diagnosed with fistula, given initial care plan
May-finally had surgery and noted INTERSPHINCTERIC - Wound Class: Class IV - Dirty or Infected with left lateral opening and internal opening at the 6 o'clock position
hoping to recover quickly