Positive Update: Transphincteric Fistula

Female/33- Healthy but was 3 weeks post partum when everything began.

What happened:

• ⁠October 2024 - Gave birth to my daughter, 2nd degree tearing and I’m pretty sure a nasty anal fissure occurred at this point due to straining during childbirth. • ⁠November 2024 - Wound up in the ER 3 weeks postpartum with a huge perianal abscess thinking it was just hemorrhoids. I was in a lot of pain but kept putting it off because I had a newborn baby ofc. ER did a very poor bedside I&D without any painkillers because I was breastfeeding. The worst experience and pain in my life and I had just given birth. • ⁠November 2024 - ER incorrectly drained abscess and I was still in agonizing pain. I went to see the CRS they told me to visit and had to have ANOTHER I&D, this time I was prepared but it was still very painful but I felt relief. • ⁠December 2024 - I was told I am a fast healer so had to go back one more time in between previous I&D and surgery to have the incision hole made bigger. On the 12th of December I had an EUA and seton placed. • ⁠Winter 2024/2025- Enter the hardest part of my life. The seton caused me SO MUCH PAIN. This isn’t to scare anyone but to be realistic. Not only was I devastated that couldn’t just be done with a fistulotomy but I had constant pain radiating, it was 8/10 pain for 2 weeks - again I didn’t take any oxy because breastfeeding (my motherhood during fistula is a whole other story). It wasn’t until 4 weeks later that I could live with the seton. But I was never unaware of its existence. • ⁠March 2025- LIFT surgery. Went in incredibly anxious but woke up in surprisingly little to no pain. Recovery from this was much smoother. Stitches did come undone early but I remained vigilant with wound care and post op check ups. I probably felt about 90% back to myself 6-7 weeks post op. • ⁠June 2025 - Definitely formed scar tissue which is a little sore to the touch and am 95% back to myself. I wouldn’t say 100% healed yet as the internal wound just takes a lot of time to heal but have my final appointment coming up in two weeks where I believe I’ll be declared fully healed. • ⁠Currently - Doing everything I otherwise used to do other than pools/hot tubs. Just want to fully heal before I take that step!

It was a really rough journey and the mental toll, especially post partum, was insane but I just wanted to spread some joy and positivity - especially for my fellow transphincteric fistula buddies who I’m sure have “simple fistula” envy. I will also admit I stopped coming back to this subreddit as much - so take this subreddit with a pinch of salt as a lot of positive outcomes don’t usually return to update (also because I went back to work and because I wanted to be sure before updating). Someone in here once said “pain is relative” and that’s truly impacted how I viewed this.

Feel free to reach out to me if you need some advice. Happy healing to you all!

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