Fistula again....lift procedure next!

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Mooch

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Aug 14, 2011
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Hi! I havent postef in awhile, was doing ok! I am now 1 day post op from another seton placement, eua and having 2nd tiny fistula opened up! No pain so far but i didnt get any till day 3 last time! Im hoping cause the wound isnt so big this time it wont b so bad! They r more than likely going to do the lift procedure next and i was wondering if anyone has any experience with it or knows much about it? Im hoping this works as the next step is a temporary bag. Im currently on remicade and on flagyl post op.
 
Hey Mooch, hope the current treatment plan works for you too. Is this the first time you've been on Remicade? Not too sure about the lift procedure but there's bound to be someone here who does :)
 
I just had the LIFT procedure on Monday. it is too early to tell if it worked, but my CRS said there is a 75% chance of success. It's sore and painful but I think it is healing well. You definitely want some time off after the LIFT procedure (about 2 weeks) to heal. Im still taking percocet every 4 hours for the pain. Im on Flagyl for a week post-op.
 
Thanks for the info Rivers. Please let us know how your recovery progresses. From what I was able to find on the internet, this is a relatively new technique. I have had two advancement flap surgeries. The first was a complete failure, but I have had much better success with the second. The healing recovery time/treatment sounds very similar. Two weeks with lots of pain meds and Flagyl. I am still not entirely fixed, but much better than before. I did suffer some loss of my sphincter muscles though. If the need arises for surgery again, I will definitely inquire about the LIFT technique.
 
I am really not encouraged by the sound of this. I am having the lift procedure on December 23rd and my CDS has told me his success rate is only 50/50! So Cookie, I don't think it is a panacea!
Rivers, how are things going for you to date?
 
I am 2 weeks post op right now and I am almost 100%. I still have a small amount of drainage but the pain is almost totally gone. I had the LIFT repair and fistulotomy. Hoping to go SCUBA in a week in the islands and that this is healed up totally by then. I can sit again! :) I will keep you all posted after my post-op appointment.
 
WOW, this is GREAT news! So happy for you! Enjoy St Johns! I will always remember my Christmas spent there in 1991. One of the best dives I had ever done! We are looking to do Tahiti in Jan and My CRS says if everything goes well on the 23rd and I heal well this time that I should be able to go. He has to remove a lot of scar tissue. That is what all the bubbly looking volcano stuff I have been describing turned out to be! It even created its own little tract where the canyon was, so he has to deal with that. I should have told him, redheads scar easily! :)

So happy for you!
 
Wow cool. Yeah its a bit weird with me since I wasn't able to get a follow up set up for before I go. Im going to be in the water all day every day and he said it should be ok. Im just going to go for it and hope for the best. Hey I was there in 1991 too...small world. I'll report back, and good luck with your surgery. It wasn't too bad, the percocet 10 mg helped me every 4 hours for the first 5-7 days, then I switched to tylenol and was fine. :wink:
 
Sorry i havent replied and thanks for yr replies!
On a whole, im doing really well. No pain at all from the seton and no painkillers. Just want to know what the next step is! Have an appt early january to find out whats next and discuss thr LIFT. If we r going to do it, i want it done asap. I hate the waiting game. As i said, pain free but just want it all fixed.
Does any one have any advice on the pain aftet surgery? Do they keep u in hospital or day surgery? Is it a big open wound what bowel prep do u do pre surgery? I react badly with pixolax and hate having it!
Any advice would b great!
 
I j u st had surgery yesterday. The LIFT. It was about the same as the first surgery thus far. It was an in and out procedure. It hurts about the same.
 
Hey Frankenbutt,

How are you doing after your LIFT procedure?

Im about 4 weeks post op and everything is healing well.
Hopefully things will stay that way. It is SO nice not to be draining anything.

I did get a weird kind of blood blister right next to my surgical site that popped open when I went to look at it. It disappeared after 2 days though.

Hope you are doing well everyone. :)
 
Hi! I am really not sure. He had to cut through the original track again because of the scar tissue that had grown there. Not sure what is going to prevent it from growing that again. (can't get a straight answer on that one) And now there is a new hole. Rivers did you have that? When they did the Lift they cut a new hole. Doesn't really do much and does not drain much any more. I am 2 weeks post op, but it is still there and the same size it was. I have a very non communicative CRS. So glad you are doing well! :)

I hope I can report the same in another 2 weeks.
 
Lift Technique

It has been two weeks since my procedure and I am not sure what to expect. Still have drainage and not sure if this is normal. When does the drainage stop? How or when will I know if it is successful?
 
My surgeon told me the drainage was to be expected for up to 4 weeks..I did not have drainage but for about 10 days and now I wish I had as I think fistula may have resestablished. Going back to surgeon the end of this week. :(
 
Wow 4 weeks. I will be patient and wait it out a while longer than. Sorry to hear that it might be coming back.
 
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I had the LIFT procedure done 3 months ago, and still having drainage. My surgeon now suggests I have a primary fistulectomy. Just wanted to get any suggestions or advice on how others are doing with the LIFT.
 
I wish i could say mine was successful, but unfortunately it wasnt. I knew things were wrong when i was discharging more. Turned out the surgical incision came apart and the mesh was no where to b seen. I now have a seton thru the fistula again and another one thru incision site. Back on remicade as all symptoms came back. Getting well again and then advanced mucosal flap surgery. Can anyone describe in terms i can understand? Also think i just found another abscess tonite. Doesnt hurt, little unvomfortable and will c how i go tonite and them ring my ibd nurse. Just looks like a small pimple so far and is on opposite side to my problem area. What do u think i should do??
 
Hi All, taught about time i post around about my fistula, had it for 5 months ago i finally went for the lift method not 5 days ago...surgeon informed surgery was a success..right now is 3.20am, suppose to be sleeping but the pain woke me up. The wound is constantly draining , at times really red blood. Good news is there is no pus smell.. like my previous op.. Will keep u guys updated...PS...the point of incision is a pain in the ass literaaly
 
Hi, wanna update its 48 hours later from my previous post and things have significantly improved..only 5 painkillers for the day compared like 15 in 24 hours , and i went out for a short walk and meeting today, with dressing to soak up the moist.

I constantly wipe my ass every half hour for the last 7 days and there has been no reduction on the amount of drainage....i take pictures of my wound daily...there seems to be improvement...my bowels have improved as well..body doest fear to shit anymore. Cleaning is a slow process but am thorough.

Am sharing this process for future readers who are facing the fistula dilemma as i am, will soon write a blog of my ordeal... and hope to further infrom people of this very uncomfortable condition
 
Hey everyone! Anyone have any updates on their LIFT procedures? I just had one 2 weeks ago and it seems like I'm doing okay. I just wanted to know the outcome of some of the posters here! :)
 

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