At a glance
The time between deciding to have fissure surgery and the actual procedure is filled with a particular kind of anxiety. You have been in pain, you have made a big decision, and now you are waiting. Using that waiting period to prepare practically can reduce both the anxiety and the difficulty of recovery.
This guide covers what people commonly wish they had done in the weeks leading up to fissure surgery — whether that is LIS, fissurectomy, or another procedure.
Two to three weeks before
Get your questions answered
If you have not already, write down every question you have about the procedure and contact your surgical team. Common questions at this stage:
- What exactly will be done during the surgery?
- What type of anaesthesia will be used?
- How long will the procedure take?
- Will I go home the same day?
- What pain management will be available after?
- When is my first follow-up appointment?
Having clear answers reduces the uncertainty that drives pre-surgical anxiety.
Start optimising your stool management
This is the single most impactful thing you can do before surgery. People consistently describe the first post-operative bowel movement as one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the experience. Having soft stools already established makes it significantly easier.
- Increase fibre gradually — aim for 25 to 30 grams per day
- Start or continue stool softeners — discuss this with your surgical team
- Increase water intake to two to three litres per day
- Reduce foods that constipate — processed foods, excessive dairy, white bread
Arrange time off work
Talk to your employer about the recovery timeline your surgeon has given you. Build in a buffer — many people describe needing a few more days than they initially expected.
One week before
Stock up on supplies
Have everything you need at home before the surgery. You will not want to go shopping in the first few days of recovery.
Essential supplies:
- Sitz bath basin (or a clean, shallow container that fits over the toilet)
- Stool softeners and fibre supplements
- Prescribed pain medication (collect the prescription in advance if possible)
- Gauze pads for wound care
- A peri bottle for gentle cleaning
- Loose, comfortable clothing — nothing tight around the waist or hips
- Cushion or pillow for sitting
Food supplies:
- Easy-to-prepare, high-fibre meals — soups, stews, porridge ingredients
- Soft fruits — bananas, pears, stewed prunes
- Plenty of water and herbal teas
- Gentle snacks that require no preparation
Arrange support
Even if you are independent, having someone available for the first day or two is valuable. People describe needing help with:
- Getting home from the hospital
- Preparing meals
- General household tasks
- Emotional support — the first day can be harder emotionally than expected
Prepare your recovery space
- Sitz bath set up and ready — you will want to use it within hours of getting home
- Medication organised — pain relief, stool softeners, any prescribed topical treatments
- Comfortable seating area — with cushions and entertainment within reach
- Bathroom stocked — gauze, wipes or peri bottle, clean towels
The day before
Practical preparation
- Follow any fasting instructions from your surgical team
- Lay out loose, comfortable clothing for the hospital
- Charge your phone — you may want it for entertainment and communication
- Have your hospital bag ready if staying overnight
- Take a sitz bath to relax the area
Mental preparation
Pre-surgical anxiety is normal. People describe the night before as one of the hardest parts of the entire process. Strategies that people find helpful:
- Reminding yourself why you made this decision — months of pain, exhausted conservative options
- Accepting that anxiety is a normal response to surgery
- Avoiding reading worst-case-scenario accounts online (if you can manage it)
- Having someone to talk to — a partner, friend, or family member
- Getting as much sleep as possible, even if it is not perfect
The morning of
- Follow your fasting instructions
- Take any medications your team has told you to take
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Bring your questions list if you have last-minute queries for the surgeon
- Remember: the procedure itself is usually the easiest part. It is quick, you are sedated, and it is over before you fully register it.
The single most important preparation
If there is one thing that people wish they had prioritised above all else, it is stool management. Getting your stools soft and established before surgery makes the first few days of recovery dramatically easier. Everything else — supplies, time off, support — matters. But soft stools matter most.