Randallissimo

Anyone ever had a fistulotomy, and if so how soon could you get back in the saddle? My surgeon tells me I could be biking in 3-4 days, but I don't see how that is likely.

If you don't know what this is, consider yourself fortunate that you don't.

RUOkie

I guess the question is Safely or comfortably?

You can safely ride within the week. It won't feel good for a few!

MattDC

Fistulas can develop in various parts of the body. So I expect the recovery would vary in kind.

DrPete 

I'm pretty sure I know the location you're talking about...

Depends on where it is... If your surgeon quoted 3-4 days it's likely more superficial. So it wouldn't be unreasonable. You just need to make sure you keep it clean, and I probably wouldn't recommend super long rides in 90-degree heat or anything.

Really, though, stick with your surgeon's advice, because they come in different shapes/sizes and he/she knows all those little details.

MattDC

Is it betwixt the nether?

JoshTheSkier

I just googled fistulotomy.

I do not envy you in the least.

Heal quick.

Jynx

It is funny I saw this thread. I have a lot of experience with this (three surgeries and am going in for my forth time this tuesday 5/19/09 and it should be my last surgery).

How much info do you know about the fistula? Do you know what kind it is? Do you know the cause? Crohns? ect... If you have more info please post.

If you don't feel comfortable talking on an open forum feel free to pm me. I wish I had someone to talk to when I first started going through it. Depending on what you exactly have and such will determine recovery time.

Crash_Enburn

I thought he was just over-dramatizing a prostate exam...

Heal quick. Heal well.

Panic

My son's got Crohn's and its near the exit point when it flares up. We have decided that until he gains some weight, it might be best for him to stay off the bike. Needs a bit of natural padding down there.

Hunt-man

Pictures or it didn't happen!



(Please, no... )

zdavid

Hello - I wonder if you are still open to discuss your recovery, i am new to this condition and wanted to know how others have recovered and still enjoying biking

david

thehammerdog

I once had Dipsydoodleitus. very upsetting.

dr_max

MINimum 14 days to let the wound tensile strength epitalialize

popeye

So do I! Are we sharing the same GF?

rubiksoval

It's been 11 years, so he's probably good at this point.

MoAlpha

Might be dead.

niknak

I had a fistula above my a**hole. Like an idiot, I waited until it was really painful to see the doctor. The doctor decided to do the surgery on the spot because I was apparently in bad shape down there. I rode home after the surgery. It was tender but since I wasn't sitting on the sore spot I managed. I think I took a day or two off before riding again.

zdavid

wow, i'm willing to take a little more time off than that. how long ago was your surgery? how is it down there now? did you get the 70% success rate disclaimer from your surgeon? I guess there are all kinds of fistula out there, mine was considered complex cause the entry and exit were around 110° rotational degrees apart. my surgeon initially said my biking was over, i'm not so sure (i am 65).

appreciate your responses

longbeachbiker

I've at a fistulotomy. I had to go under twice, once for the fistulotomy and the second about a week later to remove the stitch. After the first, expect to be out of work for a few days. I went back to work a couple of days later and was in bad discomfort four hours into my shift (standing). Expect to be off your bike for a month. After that, it's a full recovery to the point that you forget that you even had the surgery at all. Get the full repair and not the seton.

The hardest part is overcoming the mental barrier to taking the first dump after surgery. It's actually not that bad. Let me know if you have other questions... I'll be happy to answer.