I had a gracilis repair for a anal fistula in September of 2016, following a similar protocol of having an ileo done prior to. The ileo adjustment was challenging but the gracilis surgery definitely was the toughest procedure I've dealt with...but you'll come through!
I was in the hospital for four days and three nights, I believe, and I did leave with a drain that was removed a week or so after I was home. I was fortunate to have someone to help me out and modified where/how I slept and just gradually worked on walking. The doctors scared me that any separation of my legs could compromise the repair but I slowly gained mobility. Before I left the hospital, an occupational therapist helped with some modifications (graspers, the thing to help you put socks on (it was winter), etc.).
The good news is that the repair has worked/held for me...however, I am not reconnected. I developed a RVF after this procedure and we are trying to tackle that with new drugs and possibly surgery before I can consider a reversal.
Happy to answer questions! You can do this!
