Should I get surgery for my fistula?

About 2 yrs ago I got an anal fistula that wouldn't heal.  At first I went to a normal dr but when it wouldn't heal he sent me to a proctologist.  The proctologist examined me + said I'd need a surgery where he'd cut me from my anus to my fistula, then scrape out the fistula then just close it all up, + he mentioned there is a chance of incontinence from the surgery.

Well, I'm only in my mid-20s + extremely healthy except for this, so the thought of this surgery scared me greatly.  And I didn't feel comfortable with this doctor + wasn't sure he was giving me the best advice.  I was also very short on money + didn't have insurance, so I didn't have the money to get a second opinion or get the surgery (his one visit alone was $300 + he told me the surgery would be about $1500 plus other costs with no insurance).  So ever since I've just not done anything + been off + on investigating this on the internet for the last 2 years.

Now I have insurance (though I'm not sure if it'll cover this pre-existing condition) + a little more money, so I'm going to be going to a dr again soon I think, but I'm still scared.  The fistula is very small but it won't heal.  It leaks a clearish/yellowish I guess you'd call it puss in small amounts, and it bleeds a tiny bit usually when I'm wiping after using the bathroom.  It's at least 2 1/2 to 3 inches away/above my anus (towards my taint/inner area of my groin) so the thought of being cut open from my anus to there is very scary + seems like there must be a better option.

All the reading I've done on fistulas is confusing to me, but I've noticed there seem to be other options so couldn't a dr try to patch it up without cutting me open like that? Isn't there even a surgery that wouldn't require getting cut from anus to fistula?  And what are the risks of this fistula remaining until I get it fixed?  In other words, is the fistula hurting me in any way, or will it make it harder to fix the longer I wait?  Thanks for any help.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
If it is due to Crohn's disease medical treatment with metronidazole, ciprofloxacinx and infliximab can be done. If they do not respond then surgery has to be done.
Seton placment and later surgery can be done.
If you do not want surgery options like fibrin glue or collagen plug can be tried.

[hava]

To to make the fistula disappear naturally, the full pranayam exercises are described below.
This works gradually, so allow time ( up to 26 weeks) and concentrate fully on the breathing. Avoid cold drinks and drink warm water.

Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for upto 30 minutes twice a day. Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Anulom Vilom -  Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep breaths into the lungs.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 15 times