As a 19 year old in college I first felt discomfort in my midsection, or the cleft of my buttocks. I thought it was a case of bad acne because I get really bad acne along the back of my neck. After a month of suffering I went and saw a dermatologist who wasn’t sure what it was and referred me to a surgeon.
The surgeon said it was pilonidal and recommended open wound surgery. I quickly agreed and wildly underestimated the work ahead during post-operation. I did not know about this website at the time. It was miserable, I bathed in epsom salts and rinsed, but did not pack, as my surgeon gave very little insight as to post-op procedures, little did I realize the importance of finding a good surgeon in a case like this. My surgeon was essentially an overpaid butcher and I paid the consequence of having the pilonidal cyst return not 6 months after the first surgery. I was in college at the time and was an athlete and didn’t have a month of rehabilitation at my disposal, so I waited.
Recently, I graduated and had the time to do the research, I found this website which has been such a resource and used one of the recommendations to find my surgeon (Dr. Le in Fountain Valley, CA) who gave me different treatment options and last week I underwent my 2nd surgery. With the informational assistance from this website I pack it twice daily, rinse well and my family members who help me out say it is healing really well. Next week I go back for a follow up where my surgeon will stitch the last 1/4 back together, so it’s a combination of open and closed wound healing.
I purchased a Coccyx Cusion, which I am sitting on right now and will be sure to purchase No Bump. All in all I am feeling much more confident about this 2nd surgery. I did try to live with pilonidal for nearly 4 years, but for me it got exhausting and sitting here now, one week from surgery after going through all that pain last week, I actually feel like a weight has been lifted because the cyst is gone and with proper care I hope it stays gone. If you’re considering surgery read ALL of this website and find a surgeon that knows what s/he is doing.
Hopefully, this will be my last surgery!