2 weeks after a THD / HALO the outside of my anus is still extremely sore. Cleaning up after toileting must be done very gingerly and delicately, but any method just makes the area more sore.

All of the surgical procedure was internal, so I don't understand why the outside is so sore.

Is this normal?

If so, for how long might one expect the area to be so sore?

If not, what could it mean and what should I do about it?