I have recently had a recto vaginal fistulure repaired for a second time - my surgeon were going to give me an end illeo due to all past problems but decided at the last minute to try again with a repair - ( I was happy and ready for this) however i am home now from hospital and am wondering about my post op symptoms ( different from last time ) .
I am getting drainage from the vagina and what seems like wind on occasion and although it is only 3 days since surgery this doesnt seem right - am I just being over anxious and can anyone tell me what to expect - the wind in my stomach is terrible and painful as well .I am not eating much more than soup and toast as am scared to but wonder if this is the wrong thing to do. Does anyone have any hints on how to get rid of the wind please .Also i am very aneamic but cannot take iron tablets so am looking for any remedy for this that is not going to upset my stomach and bowel like the iron tablets do.

Dear Lissie,

You have a few problems and I have had all of them both in Australia and here in the US.

1. It is normal to have a bit of wind and seepage passing from the surgery site in the first few weeks after the surgery. I had this happen too and it doesnt necessarily mean the surgery has failed. I even passed a big ball of congealed blood out of my anus and my surgeon said that this was also normal! However, if this flatus and seepage continues over the next few months it probably means the operation was a failure.FYI my surgeon told me not to take baths post surgery because soaking in water tends to break down the surgery site.

2.I also suffered fromconstipation, flatus and pain after the event. Ask your surgeon if he is OK with your taking DEGAS for the flatus and Miralax for any constipation.

3. I had a problem with taking oral iron as I wasnt absorbing enough, so the doc prescribed iron injections and then an iron infusion. Both will do the job.

FYI you could try a gentle Iron product called SPATONE available from Martin and Pleasance in Australia or alternatively a great compounded product: a liquid iron available from Dartnell's Pharmacy in Victoria, Australia. Dartnells sends all over the world and you can ring a consulting pharmacist for free at both Dartnells and Martin and Pleasance for advice. Both have internet sites which you can find on Google.

Iron injections worked well for me. I got them once a week for a year. I hope things work out for you. To do this twice is very commendable. You have the resolve to stay on top of this. Good Luck Kiwi! Arthur

Thanks panpan and arthur .I saw my doctor yesterday and unfortuntely the op wasn't successful so will now be looking at more surgery - a takedown or end illeo I guess ( finally they may listen).
but also I asked about iron injections and after looking again at my blood etc i was given my first iron injection and also a B12 injection. I already feel like a new person and didnt realise how awful i felt before. I have 5 more iron injections to go and will get a B12 every 3 months - so at least i wont feel so much like s$*t all the time I hope.
thank you it is nice to have support out there

i had a stubborn rectovaginal fistula about a year ago..they tried sutring it and everything they could until my surgeon finally found something else we could try called the "graciloplasty" i HIGHLY reccommend it..the fistula is completely gone and that surgery allowed me to heal and have my takedown and since then i havent had any more fistulas..so you might wanna ask about that surgery.


Alicia

Thanx
the whole thing has collapsed now and they say the only answer now is an end illeo - I'm booked in for tomorrow as they say the way it is things are pretty serious - so i guess thats the end of it ( excuse the pun) and I will learn somehow to live with a permanent bag on the side of my body - cant be as bad as whats happening at the moment I am sure.
will let you all know how it goes when I get out of hospital - hopefully only 5 -7 days. any hints from anyone on how to avoid adhesions and blockages after surgery.thanks for your help everyone hopefully all will be well after this op.

lissie