u/Acceptable-File-8250

hello,

I had a partial fistulotomy and seton placed in October 2025. no words for how my NHS hospital has been since...

I have a persistent wound, which is smaller but unable to heal. I’ve recently noticed a small hole that is leaking pus out of that wound, relatively close to the original hole and seton. I’m in a crazy amount of pain and I can barely move around.

I saw my GP last week (who is very clueless about fistulas) and they prescribed antibiotics. I’m on my final day and I’m still in pain - the hole has semi-gone but pus still coming from wound. Is this definitely a new fistula/branch? I’m freaking out but hoping it could possibly collapse by itself given I already have a seton…

I have limited options - I am not able to contact my surgeon, I’m not on any NHS waitlist according to my NHS app.

hello,

was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for London-based colorectal surgeons? I am looking to self-fund quite urgently for a consultation.

even if you had good NHS experiences I’d be grateful to hear of them.

thank you!

hi all,

I currently have a seton and small yet very sore stubborn partial fistulotomy wound from my surgery in October. so I’ve had my seton in for 8 months now. I have a low transsphincteric fistula.

I had a follow up with my surgeon in April and he said that he thinks it looks good enough to perform a fistulotomy. I requested an MRI to double check on extra branches etc which also took place in April. I still haven’t received my results or even my consultation letter with a plan. No waiting list is on my NHS app.

regardless, I wanted to get a second opinion privately given the fistula is transsphincteric and I was under the assumption that a fistulotomy would never be on the cards for me and this all makes me nervous. I might potentially pay for the surgery eventually privately so that I feel more in control of timing with work and peace of mind with the skill of the surgeon.

my question is really just some advice around making the transition from the NHS to a private consultation and surgery. I would ideally like to remain under NHS care in case I do not decide on a private surgery but is there anything I’m not considering?

I also want to avoid paying for another private MRI considering I’ve just had one but how do I get my hands on the results and/ or pass them over to a private surgeon to see?

any experience of doing this would be much much appreciated!

hi all,

i had a partial fistulotomy and seton placed 7 months ago. seton is still in situ.

the last couple of days I’ve been having some pain in the other bum cheek, like shooting which I put down to spasms.

when I press the bum cheek I don’t feel tenderness like I did with my abscess but it does feel tender and sore a lot closer to the bum hole on that side and more prevalent when I walk like a shock.

I’ve also got a bit of a surface level blood blister by the healed scar of the seton that fills up a little and goes away but I feel this is unrelated,

it feels almost like the seton is really digging into my bum hole but to the opposite side. is this normal? I don’t know why it would be when the seton is looser than ever. I’ve been a bit constipated lately and I’m starting to get really panicked about this - I need to go to work and I have an upcoming holiday and this whole ordeal is making me want to not get out of bed.

edit: literally just looked at the date and realised I’m pre-menstrual rn too which causes SO many more problems and pain with the seton. anyone else find this?