My 18th birthday was the first time I had an operation on my pilindal sinus. I couldn’t sit down a couple of days before my mum took me to hospital and I was kept in. After the operation I had it packed for about 6 weeks everyday and for 5 years everything was great.
Then it came back so again had the operation and again had it packed everyday for 6-7 weeks and again was fine for about 6 years. Then again the sodding thing reared its ugly head this time however they stitched it, was fine for a couple of weeks but then it burst open and had to put sanitary towels there to stop the yucky stuff leaking through as I had an open wound. About 6 months later had another operation where again they stitched it and again like before it was fine for a week or so but again burst and i was back to square one and back to the hospital I go. Had another operation about 7 months later and this time it burst while the stitches was still in. I felt like it was never going to end and I was living in hell.
My mum used to say that I should buy shares in boots with the amount of salin water and meepores I brought. After the 3rd operation in 2 years the consultant realised he couldn’t do anything for me and I was transferred to the Broomfield plastic surgery and burns unit. The day I went to see the consultant I think I cried from the beginning of appointment to the end, I’m not ashamed to say but I actually begged him to help me and he said that I needed a limberg flap and this may help, well at this point I was willing to give anything a go and actually wanted to kiss his feet lol.
So a couple of weeks later I had my appointment date set so I decided to go online and find out a bit more and it scared the hell out of me, it was all “don’t have it done”, “worse thing I ever did”, so as you can imagine I was now pooping my pants!! Surgery day came and all I could think about is what I had read online so I cried the whole journey. I was booked in and now it was a waiting game (still crying). The Broomfield plastic surgery and burns staff were all amazing and Mr Sood (the doctor who was doing the operation) came round explained what he was going to do to try and put my mind to rest but still couldn’t get those poxy online forums out if my head.
I finally went down and had the operation, woke up with tubes coming out of every part of me and about 170 stitches and I had to be in hospital for 15 days. Finally was allowed home but had to go back every week for the next 5 weeks. My last appointment I saw Mr Sood and said “thank you for giving me my life back”, I know I didn’t have cancer or something like that but the horrid pilindal sinus was like living in hell. So 2 years this April I am living life to the full, going gym, swimming, etc! All I can say is the limberg flap changed my life and I’m pleased I didn’t listen to the forums. I understand each operation is different but it was the best decision I ever made and thank u again Mr Sood and all the staff at the Broomfield plastic surgery and burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex.
If anyone is thinking of having this operation – do not hesitate, do it!!!!!