I hope the plug is working well. I am in the same boat and have to wait another month or two for the tissue to heal up before they try the plug.
Did the drain where the seton was totally close before the plug surgery? My doc tells me this has to completely heal but I can't see how it will with gas and other stuff always draining out of it. Some days are better then others but I can't see how this is going to close.
Any insight or experience is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hey guys,
Just got back from the doctor's office where I had my first post-op appointment (surgery 12 days ago). He was very pleased with the state of my plug repair at this point, but cautioned that we wouldn't know whether it was a success or not for about four months. He put a little silver nitrate on the area (to help with healing) and told me to come see him again in six weeks. He told me that some bleeding didn't worry him, and to call him if I had any problems/questions. Now I know we're still a long way off from final results, but I'm pretty excited about this first round of positive news! The plug seems to have remained in place and is healing well. He also told me that I could pretty much resume activities as normal, though I think I'll take it easy for another week or so as a precaution. The past 12 days of couch potatoing, stool softeners, fiber supplements, anti-inflammatories, special ointments, and a lot of patience and liquids may have helped. I encourage anyone else having this or a similar procedure to consider anything that takes pressure off the area when having a bowel movement. I felt more comfortable when going to the bathroom and think that by having softer stool, you lessen the chance of losing the plug. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress... any and all feedback is always appreciated!

I just wanted to check and see how your long term outcome had been? I too have a pretty long-tract perianal fistula, but had the advancement flap surgery to fix it, however it doesn't seem to have worked too well. I'd love to know what your experience has been since February!

Hello again everyone!

Well, I'm almost seven months past the surgery to repair my anal fistula with a Cook fistula plug and I have to say, I think it has been a success! After months of nearly healing and then re-opening multiple times, I finally think that it is completely closed up. I haven't had any pain or discharge from the fistula in over a month and it feels completely closed and healed when I touch it in the shower. I'm heading to the doctor to get final comfirmation in a few weeks, but I think we have a success! I'll repost when I get the final word... Good luck to you all

nesta4. thats good news indeed. it is nice to hear of success storys for those of us going through the same proceedure.

I had a plug put in on Friday last week and am now at home trying to do as little as I can. Does anyone have any tips on diet and what to avoid?

Hi. I understand some of you have had the anal fistula plug procedure done. I will be having the anal fistula plug surgery next week and I was wondering how those who have had the surgery were doing? Any advice or things I should be worried about? Thank you.

HI,

Sorry I haven't been online for a while. There is currently a trial of the plugs going on with RPA and Westmead. I have been Seeing Dr Christopher Byrne at RPA Colo rectal. BAd news is the plug just failed and I have gone back to a seaton. I had a funny thing happen after 7 weeks which is a bummer but they think they will try the plug a second time. The best t hing about the plug is that unlike the flap surgery you can go back a step to the seaton and then start again. Nothing lost.

With the Seaton I found it fairly painful, I had 2 in at first and I think one was a bit to tight. If they are to tight they can really hurt.

Who have you been seeing?

Hi. Sorry to hear the plug failed for you. I had the fistula plug surgery 2 days ago. I am having some pain and drainage but also bleeding (mostly outside the wound) after a bowel movement. Is this common? I was wondering what kinds of symptoms you or others have had after the fistula plug surgery? Are the anyone who has a happy ending after having the fistula plug surgery? I read 1 other person on this site had a positive outcome but are there others?

The surgeon who operated on me is Dr. Van Heest who is a general surgeon and located near Vancouver, Canada. She told me if the fistula plug fails she would refer me to a colo/rectal surgeon in Vancouver. The waiting list for surgery here is long so I hope this plug works. If it does not work then I probably will have to wait a while to get a seton put back in place.

Anyway, I hope all who has had this surgery is doing well and any infomation would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi. I just found this site looking for information on the fistula plug myself. I am scheduled to have surgery on Dec 11th. I too had a seton placement on Nov 1st. I do not think I have a normal type of fistula though as I did not have anything showing it on the outside of my skin. I felt a lump on my butt cheek while riding an exercise bike a few months back. I went to the doctor and they referred me to a colo-rectal surgeon. That doctor did not "feel" the lump where two other doctors had. I had to schedule an ultrasound and she said that she could definitely see something. I was scheduled for surgery on Nov 1st. I did not know what procedure they were going to do. I was told that she would have to wait until she went in. I had a seton placement and then was told I would need to come back in a few weeks for a 2nd procedure. My doctor does not explain much of anything at all and I have had to resort to finding out things on my own online. I am scared to death about this fistula plug because I was told there is only a 60% effective rate. If this doesn't work I will have to go back in a few months for the anal flap surgery which she said had a 70% rate. I'm scared of losing control of my bowels and not being able to lead a normal life. I am 37 years old and am used to doing things and being active. This has put my life on hold and I have been off of work since Nov 1st. I am not scheduled to go back until Jan 10th. I have read some of the other threads and would like to know what I can do or what I should not do once I have this fistula plug put in. My parents want me to come home for Christmas and I have said that I don't think riding in the car for 3 hours would be a good idea. I really want this to work. I have been a bit depressed lately. My friends who know what is going on have been supportive, but it is difficult to talk about because I really don't have much information. I would not recommend my current doctor as she has had no bedside manner. No communication skills whatsoever. I have never been through anything like this before and find it very frustrating. When I ask a simple question about what is going to happen I feel like I am being a problem. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my next procedure so I have not said anything about my doctor yet. I know she said I would not find out for a few months if it works or not. How long is the recovery time? What should I eat, not eat? What kind of activities should I avoid and for how long? When can I get back to a normal sex life? I have been avoiding that all together. I have told my boyfriend that I don't want to jeopardize this thing not working. He has been very supportive but I would just like some answers. If anyone can tell me anything about this procedure I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

Hi Bunny. I know having a fistula affects you physically but also mentally. It's good that you have support. This kind of illness can definaltely make a person feel alone and depressed. I 've had my fistula for a while now and it's been difficult to deal with. I had the fistula plug procedure recently and unfortinately it didn't work for me. Don't be discouraged just because the plug failed for me. I would suggest start taking a stool softner a couple days before your surgery and continue taking them after surgery. You want to keep your bowel movements as soft as possible. I wouldn't recommend driving your car for at least a month after surgery. If you can get someone to drive you to your parents it would be good idea. You probably should just lay in the back seat on your trip and also not sit at all for a few weeks. I have not sat properly for many months now because if irritates the fistual and causes pain. I either stand, kneel or lay down. So after surgery you have to be careful for a while. Drink lots of water ant soft foods. You can search which foods are considered soft foods online. Make sure you are eating enough fiber. Avoid any physical activity for a few weeks. I know dealing with doctors can be hard to deal with. Some treat people like machines and are not be very personable. After your surgery if you are still not happy with your surgeon then try to ask your family doctor if she could recommend another colo-rectal surgeon. Anyway, I hope this information was helpful. Try to take care and I hope your surgery goes well.

Here is a link for people who are dealing with fistulas. Lots of info from people who talk about their experiences. http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?s=1c96a12dfafa...wtopic=78839&st=1660

I just recently had a fistula plug placed, 12/28/07, is there any way to tell if the plug has fallen out? I am having a lot of serous drainage from the incision site and am just paranoid about it, im a 22 yr old female and this has just been a nightmare for me in terms of getting it diagnosed and finally taken care of that i dont want to have to go through any kind of surgery again!!

I was supposed to have the surgery for the plug on Dec 11th but they had to postpone it. I was told by my doctor that you would see the plug come out when you go to the bathroom if it didn't work. I was also told to not do anything too strenuous for two weeks. Hopefully everuthing will be ok for you. I know that this whole process has not been fun for me either. Good luck to you.

Yeah, i have basically been laying in bed all week and plan to do that most of next week too, REALLY BORING and REALLY frustrating!! Im so used to being active, the dr told me 2 weeks of NOTHING and then after that 6 weeks of no heavy lifting/straining/pushing/pulling. Good luck with your surgery when they do it! As far as the surgery goes, it wasnt bad at all, and the recovery process isnt bad, like i said just boring and im full of paranoia cause i want it to work so bad!