I feel like Stella – I’m 43 and my pilo first showed up when I was 26.
After years of a cycle of swelling up and bothering me for a couple of weeks and then being dormant for 2-6 months, the cycle stuck on “swell” about a year ago. My family doctor diagnosed it then is a pilonidal cyst, which got me are referral to a general surgeon, then a colon rectal surgeon who was more experienced.
All the doctors took a second look at my pilo because it first formed on the top of the left cheek and was about marble sized above the skin. What looked like a second, smaller cyst was on the right cheek, but it was connected to the left size (you know – press one side and something would come out of the other).
My surgery was scheduled for May 30, the first surgery I’ve ever had, and went off without any problems. Afterwards I had 2 drain tubes (1 stayed in 1 week, the other for 2). I also had a pretty big incision/scar. I’m a big guy (428 the day I went in for surgery), and as high up and (from the sound of it) deep as the cyst went I thought the surgeon would have to dig around a little. Plus, I’d been putting this off for 15+ years.
My incision ended up being a nice little “Z” that was roughly 6″ wide, about 4″ tall (so the top up my natal cleft was a LOT lower). I estimated about 30 stitches. At home for the first 2 weeks, I laid on my stomach and sides – and watched a lot of DVDs/slept. I didn’t have any actual pain from the surgery, but laying around made me miss my chiropractor. I developed a rash from the tape holding on my bandages (which we were changing once daily). When the doctor removed the 2nd drain tube after 2 weeks, it was still draining 40-50cc per day but I was so glad he took it out.
After that I started moving around more, even sitting (finally!). It’s now been almost 2 more weeks, and I go back to the doctor to check in again this coming Monday. To help with the rash, I switched from taping gauze to myself to taping it to my underwear/shorts. In addition, I’ve been applying Iodine 3-4 times per day, and this seems to help the healing more than anything. My sleep schedule is all messed up from laying around so much, and I seem to fatigue quickly which I blame in part on me laying around for a month 🙂 The best part of this so far is that the combination of post surgery loss of appetite along with a little will power has let me lose 24 lbs!
When I first found this site, I spent 3 days looking at everything I could find. All doctors had told me before surgery were “You have a pilonidal cyst. I’m going to make this type of incision. You’ll probably stay in the hospital overnight.” The site gave me not just a better idea of what to expect, but what to plan for afterward.
Best chunks of advice I can give: – If you’re getting ready for surgery, don’t be in a hurry. – It’s a long healing process so make sure you’ve got something to do while you’re laying around. – Lots of sleep is good. – Change bandages/iodine as often as you can. Once the drain tubes were removed the whole process was a lot easier – Coccyx cushion!