Our FAQs

Only if it is likely to help and is suitable for the clinic. Many people are advised to start with diet, bowel-habit changes, medicine or pelvic floor physiotherapy.

Yes. We strongly encourage a chaperone. You can also bring a friend or relative to the consultation if you wish.

Yes. He is a consultant in general and colorectal surgery and has a specialist interest in pelvic floor surgery.

Mr Cundall will explain any tests or urgent referrals you need. Heavy or non-stop bleeding, large clots, severe pain, fever or feeling very unwell needs urgent NHS help.

No. Laser can reduce cutting and may mean less pain or a faster return to routine for some conditions. It is not right for everyone, and some people need another treatment.

Sometimes, but not always. The safe choice depends on your symptoms, examination, medicines and the treatment needed. We will never rush you into a procedure but we can do same day treatments in certain circumstances.

Yes. Feylix procedures are planned under local anaesthetic. The area is numbed while you stay awake. If this is not suitable or safe for you, we will discuss another route.

No. You can book a private consultation yourself. You can also ask your GP or another clinician to refer you.

Yes, when diagnosis, tests or a surgical decision are needed. The pathway is designed to join up both parts of care.

Yes. Pelvic floor problems affect men as well as women.

It cannot remove a major structural prolapse, but it may improve symptoms, reduce straining and support recovery.

It depends on the problem and your goals. Your physiotherapist will agree a plan after the first assessment.

It can provide useful information, but it is optional and will only happen after explanation and consent.

Only if the tag is the main cause. Skin irritation, leakage, piles or a skin condition may need separate treatment.

Gentle water, careful drying and avoiding perfumed wipes are usually advised. You will be given clear instructions when you are discharged.

This depends on the procedure and how you feel. Even if the procedure is done under local anaesthetic quite often someone driving home is sensible. The clinic will give clear instructions in advance.

They can sting briefly, this is similar to having an injection at the dentist. The aim is for the area to be numb before removal starts.

No, as this is a surgical procedure we do this in a separate theatre setting and have to book the procedure in advance.

The evidence form Europe is very strong however direct comparison to the UK is difficult. Recurrence remains possible.

A small amount can be normal while the tract heals over 1-3 weeks. Increasing pain, bad smell, fever or heavy bleeding needs advice. You will be followed up the clinic and have access to advice if needed.

Usually yes, but soreness varies. Short periods and movement may be more comfortable at first.

Hair removal is known reduce irritation and recurrence risk. Your team will advise what is suitable for your skin.

A hot, very painful abscess usually needs drainage first. SiLaC is normally a planned treatment after infection is controlled.

FiLaC is designed to avoid cutting the sphincter, so the risk is low, but no anal procedure has zero risk and existing symptoms matter.

Sometimes. A repeat treatment may be reasonable, but the fistula should be reassessed first.

Pain and discharge should improve, and the openings should close. Follow-up matters because symptoms can return.

There are usually small openings rather than a long laid-open wound, but drainage during healing is normal.

Sometimes, but a shallow simple fistula may heal more reliably after fistulotomy (a simple cut) with a low risk to muscle. The choice must be individual.

Yes, especially if constipation, hard stool or diarrhoea returns.

It may help refresh chronic scarred tissue and reduce spasm-related disease with limited cutting, but published evidence whilst exciting does not show how recurrence rates.

It can heal fissures well, but the effect on the sphincter is permanent. Existing weakness, childbirth injury and bowel control must be considered.

Botox relaxes the muscle for a time. Temporary leakage is possible but is usually less of a concern than permanently cutting muscle.

Many prescription creams are used for several weeks. Your plan depends on how long the fissure has been present and how severe the pain is.

No treatment can promise a permanent result. Long-term bowel habits and the grade of disease matter.

No. Shrinkage and scar support develop during healing. Swelling can make the area feel worse before it feels better.

Many people return to light work within a few days, but pain, bleeding and the type of work can change this.

The procedure time depends on the number and size of piles. Your appointment also includes preparation, local anaesthetic and recovery time.

No. LHP treats the haemorrhoid from inside so it shrinks. Excisional haemorrhoidectomy cuts the pile out.

Often, yes, if piles are confirmed and the chosen treatment is suitable. The exact option depends on the grade and pattern of symptoms.

Piles are common and usually not dangerous, but bleeding should still be checked because other bowel problems can also bleed.

Mild symptoms may settle when constipation and straining improve. Piles that keep bleeding or prolapsing may need treatment.

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. Studies often report less pain after laser treatment than after excisional surgery, but no procedure is pain-free and recovery varies.

Yes. No treatment can promise that piles will never return. Bowel habits, the grade of piles and the chosen treatment all matter.

Use urgent NHS help for non-stop or heavy bleeding, large clots, severe pain, faintness, fever or feeling very unwell.

Early evidence and clinical use are developing. It should be offered only after a clear discussion of other established options and the limits of current evidence.

Cutting part of the internal sphincter can be very effective, but it may change bowel control in some people. Your existing control and pelvic floor history must be considered.

It relaxes the tight anal muscle for a period of time. This can reduce spasm and help the tear heal.

Many recent fissures heal with soft stool, creams and time. Long-lasting fissures may need another treatment.

The pattern of sharp pain during a bowel movement and burning afterwards is typical, but an examination is needed to be sure.

Yes. Do not stop prescribed medicine yourself. Tell the clinic what you take so a safe plan can be made.

Not everyone does. Your symptoms, examination, age and risk factors guide the decision. you may also be asked to do a stool sample called a FIT test.

Yes, but urgent or emergency bleeding should go through NHS emergency care, not a routine private clinic appointment.

No. Piles are common, but fissures, inflammation, polyps and bowel cancer can also cause bleeding.

A painful swelling, fever or feeling unwell may mean an abscess. This needs urgent assessment and drainage rather than a routine fistula closure.

Published results vary. Reviews show that many patients heal, but failure or recurrence is common enough that you must discuss other options and the chance of another procedure.

It avoids cutting through the sphincter in the way a fistulotomy may. This is its main attraction, but every case still needs careful assessment.

FiLaC stands for fistula-tract laser closure. A thin fibre delivers laser energy around the inside of the tract as it is withdrawn.

Usually not. Fistulas often keep draining or become infected again until the tunnel is treated.

Many people return sooner after minimally invasive treatment than after wide excision, but your job, pain and wound drainage matter. You will get an individual plan.

Yes. Recurrence is possible after laser and traditional surgery.

The technique aims to use small openings rather than a wide excision, but wound size depends on the sinus and any additional cleaning needed.

An acute abscess usually needs drainage first. Planned closure is considered after the infection is controlled.

No. A pilonidal sinus starts in the skin of the buttock cleft. An anal fistula connects to the anal canal.

Some prolapsing piles can. Full rectal prolapse usually needs more tests and hospital-based pelvic floor care.

The local anaesthetic helps during removal. The wound can be sore afterwards, especially during bowel movements. You will receive pain and stool-softening advice.

The removed tag does not grow back, but another tag can form if piles, fissure or irritation continues.

Sometimes. A tag may also cause cleaning problems, itching or soreness. The reason for treatment should be recorded clearly.

A photo may help with triage, but an examination is often needed before treatment, especially if there is pain, bleeding or swelling.