Anal skin tag surgery. Frightened. Any experience?

[Minime85]

I'm due to have a large skin tag removed in October. It has been making me miserable for about a year. When it's swollen it feels like I'm sitting on a golf ball! It's large enough to pull the inside out sorry TMI. It's more worse than it isn't if that makes sense. But the surgeon told me how bad the recovery is and I'm really worried about it being so painful afterwards and maybe creating other problems. I already suffer with IBS so last thing I need is to make things worse. Has anyone had this op done? Thank you

[Naruto111]

Hi All, I am a man and I just had to post something to you lovely ladies. I had this surgery exactly 2 weeks ago tomorrow. 1 large anal skin tag and two protruding polyps either side. Surgeon excised all 3 and used general as well as local for after surgery.

I came across this thread some time ago and have been using it to scare the living hell out of myself since I decided to have the surgery! But it also massively help know what to expect.

I wanted to share my experience and also give the option for anyone to message me for recovery photos. They are obviously fairly grousome and I’m a bloke so also not the same. But if it could help anyone I would be happy to share.

recovery meds -
paracetomol and ibeprofen
metronidazole for 5 days following surgery.

Actual recovery was spent all in bed and went like:

day 1 - got home after surgery and had a large salad. local didn’t wear off until 24 hours after so was barely noticeable until day 2. Slept fine with the gauze left in as it was late when I got home

day 2 - very bruised area with large scary hole next to my normal hole!
my 1st bowl movement happened when I woke and was reasonably easy to pass as I pretty much only ate fruit and salad in high amounts the moment I got home from surgery. I also took a prunalax and a fibre supplement (psyllium husk) day 1. The pain during was alright, but the pain following the BM was pretty savage. Luckily the local was still waning so wasn’t as bad as day 3.

day 3 to day 7 - these were all very similar starting with excruciating pain after bowl movements in the morning and plenty of pain in the area that followed. The key as everyone mentions is warm baths straight after the loo and just when you are feeling dirty, uncomfortable or in pain. Works wonders and will allow you to be able to move again after some of the most hardcore bowl movement pain in your life! I would just lay their in the bath yelling out in pain. I don’t cry but same same. was really painful and all I can say, is eat endless fruit and veg with a little high fibre bread or nuts. I ate pretty much nothing else and meat was almost removed from diet whilst I healed.

day 8 - things starting to improve, the deep open wound had built a base in the centre and other than constant weeping of light blood and clear/yellow fluid, I was able to lay without much discomfort and be a bit happier.

day 9-10-11

minimal visual changes but pain and sensitivity reduction was noticeable. I was able to sit for a moment as well as walk without going slower than a 90 year old with a hip replacement! the wound it’s self appears clean and the work the surgeon did was excellent. The area is smooth again.

day 12-14

from day 12 I consistently have been healing and I’m currently on day 14. The wound has filled in and is clean and not deformed so I think I am out of the waters. I am able to fully use my sphincter and tense at will with no pain.

all in all defo some of the worst pain I’ve endured. But I once had a perianal absesce so people don’t really understand this kinda pain going into it. Where as I did and it was not as painful as the absesce atleast!

I have had 2 weeks off work so far and will be asking for another 2 so I can fully heal and be comfortable to return to work. Otherwise I am absolutely extatic with the result and after 10 years of having a skin tag i am finally a normal human again!
so worth it! Just get a good surgeon and make sure your post op plan is spot on. Ideal healing conditions make all the difference.

FYI - I only got constipated once when I forgot the laxative and didn’t eat enough on day 7. This was the most painful BM of my life so honestly take the laxatives! They have to be taken in the beginning!!

really hope this helps anyone going through this and I will be happy to share anything to help a fellow sufferer of this life changing affliction and operation!

[Flo6565]

I had my surgery 4 days ago (Cauterisation for a small skin tag.
I was sore once the numbing injection wore off but nothing I couldn’t handle. I got the train home and then drove back to my house.
Since day 2 I’ve had no pain and have taken no pain medication, but the area is tender. I use water to clean after a BM and there was no pain when having a BM. I’ve been taking lactulose and eating lots of fruits.

I'm worried as it looks like a massive hole and a bit lumpy. Hopefully it will be okay. I will update in a couple of weeks.

[Naruto111]

Update - end of week 8 for me and i
am almost fully healed. There is slight indent where the tag was but it’s slowly reducing. It was a large open wound after all.

after week 4 I started walking around 3-6km a day and slowly to start so not to sweat. It really helped going to the loo and healing, along with eating a perfect diet.

if anyone wants to know my diet which really helped get through this let me know and I can share.

[Sumeety]

Hi all so i have a quick query. How do you ppl manage to keep your stool soft without taking laxatives because I read somewhere that taking laxatives for a longer time is not good for your bowels so if anyone has tips let me know thanks!

[Flo6565]

Hi, it’s been 3 weeks today since I had my small skin tag removed, and I’m almost completely healed. The wound has closed up apart from a tiny line which I expect should heal within a few days if it goes well. There is a tiny bump and I’m waiting to see if that goes down at all. My main concern has been my bowel movements, for the first week they were perfect but I’ve had trouble since (no idea why as nothing changed!).
I’ve been taking lactulose daily and for the past few days have taken half of a stronger laxative.

As I’ve said in my previous post, I had no pain (other than very mild the first evening) and haven’t had to take any pain killers at all throughout this process, I was up and back to work 2 days later, so if you’re reading this, don’t let the worry about pain put you off if you have a small skin tag.

I will update again next week as that will be 1 month since the operation.

[Flo6565]

My main diet is fruits and veggies, my doctor advised me to try not to have too many carbs. I eat at least 2 plums per day which I find helpful. My doctor recommended lactulose prior to surgery and during the healing process, so I think lactulose can be used long-term but it’s best to check with your doctor

[Naruto111]

Sumeety - I eat a bran cereal in the morning with some grapes and raspberries. (10 grams fibre)
then for lunch I have a high fibre (7grams) and protein wrap, with meat and salad of choice. And some pineapple and more berries for afters.
then dinner is a stir fry with a frying pans worth of mixed veggies, a chicken breast and some whole grain noodles. (10grams fibre)

i swig juice throughout the day and have pretty perfect bowl movements. Plus I just keep loosing weight eating this clean.

costs a fair bit though!

[Lauren342]

So I had my surgery yesterday. Honestly spent the last 2 months worrying every single second until the surgery. Almost cried yesterday going into the hospital cos I was so nervous. Had 2 skin tags (one was tiny) and had general anaesthetic. I was out for about 10 mins. Woke up and felt on top of the world lol, literally thought it was cos of the anaesthetic, went home had some soup felt fine. Took paracetamol and ibuprofen before bed expecting to wake up in pain and still nothing. Took a laxative last night but still haven’t been to the toilet yet. I feel so normal and still on top of the world, just feel so relieved I’m not in agony, even passing wind doesn’t hurt it just feels normal. I’m so confused, I feel like one of the lucky ones as I’m not experiencing any pain although I haven’t been to the toilet yet so don’t want to speak too soon. Drinking plenty of water and eating good so will report back in a couple of days. Honestly I feel so normal im so grateful. I’ve looked and it looks like there’s a hole next to mine and but no lumps or anything like others have experienced.

[LunaNight]

Hi! Lauren whats type of laxative did you took? I think it’s normal to not have super efficient BM after general anesthesia because it slows the intestines A LOT. But the best you can do it’s take A TON of water and osmosis laxatives which basically soften the stool, so whenever you actually go to the bathroom they will be easy to pass.
just had my removal one week ago, so I’m still recovering but it’s been quite smooth. I just did local anesthesia though, and I’m taking Metamucil every night.

[LunaNight]

@LunaNight

Hi! Lauren whats type of laxative did you took? I think it’s normal to not have super efficient BM after general anesthesia because it slows the intestines A LOT. But the best you can do it’s take A TON of water and osmosis laxatives which basically soften the stool, so whenever you actually go to the bathroom they will be easy to pass.
just had my removal one week ago, so I’m still recovering but it’s been quite smooth. I just did local anesthesia though, and I’m taking Metamucil every night.

Sorry, I meant Movicol not Metamucil

[Lauren342]

I took 1 senokot last night, gunna take another one tonight. Yeah I’ve been drinking lots of water, nervous for the first bowel movement but feeling very positive as I’m in no pain whatsoever. Hope you’re recovering well!

[LunaNight]

@friendloud8772 how are you doing now? I read somewhere that seeing little bumps in the area is normal for a while

[LunaNight]

@Lauren342 I haven’t look at the wound because I’m easily impressionable and I don’t want to over worry, but I feel fine, each day a little less uncomfortable. I’m giving me 2 weeks before looking down there 😅.
Senokot is a stimulant laxative, so if tomorrow it haven’t work you may want to change it for a stool softener, if you talk to a pharmacist they can assist you in which is better for this cases. A lot of us haven’t got a crazy pain after a BM so it perfectly could be your case. The most important is to wash with water and do a sitz Epson salt bath afterwards so the inflammation or any discomfort goes down!! Good luck!!

[Lauren342]

Yeah I told myself I wasn’t going to look but I couldn’t help myself!! I actually took stool softeners last week to prepare for it I got 3 days in and they made me so constipated and I had the hardest poo ever so I was very stressed so stopped taking them. I started eating mejool dates a few days ago and they’ve softened the stool so much so I definitely recommend them!

[underthestars321]

@Flo6565

Hi, it’s been 3 weeks today since I had my small skin tag removed, and I’m almost completely healed. The wound has closed up apart from a tiny line which I expect should heal within a few days if it goes well. There is a tiny bump and I’m waiting to see if that goes down at all. My main concern has been my bowel movements, for the first week they were perfect but I’ve had trouble since (no idea why as nothing changed!).
I’ve been taking lactulose daily and for the past few days have taken half of a stronger laxative.

As I’ve said in my previous post, I had no pain (other than very mild the first evening) and haven’t had to take any pain killers at all throughout this process, I was up and back to work 2 days later, so if you’re reading this, don’t let the worry about pain put you off if you have a small skin tag.

I will update again next week as that will be 1 month since the operation.

Hi,

Please can you advise where you got yours removed? I went to the Gp a while ago and said there wasn't much they could do.

[LunaNight]

@Lauren342 I’m gonna try the dates!! Thank you!

[Lauren342]

You’re welcome! They’ve expensive but so worth it lol

[Flo6565]

Bodyvie in London (Richmond). They were very good and it cost about £400 for one small tag.

[Owyabugger]

Evening all,

Reaching out for a bit of distance reassurance…… I had three AST removed under GA on the 22/11/23 and 5 days on and I can easily say I'm experiencing the same level of intense pain from day 1 till now. Only just managed my first BM post surgery today and nearly passed out from the agony and likely relief that it had finally happened!? It felt like i was going to explode.

i just feel very very sore and sorry for myself and pretty convinced this is going to ruin christmas for me and my son at this rate.

Taking movicol twice a day but its been slow to get things going, can anyone recommend anything else?! Shall i top up on some senna too?!

warm baths or ice packs?!

shall i keep walking around or rest up on the sofa?!

urghhh

[Groovee]

Lots of water helped me rather than more laxatives. It softened what was there. I genuinely thought I was going to pass out x

[Lauren342]

I feel so bad for you I hope it gets better asap. I feel like stool softeners and laxatives didn’t work that great for me, dates and prunes have been the best for soft stools. I would definitely rest for a least a week or so. Hope it gets better :(

[LunaNight]

Im so sorry you are suffering like that 😔. @Owyabugger . I don’t think this is gonna ruin your Christmas but you will have a difficult 2 weeks. Afterwards you should feel a little bet better each day. My procedure wasn’t that invasive and still I kept bleeding the entire first week… so I think you just need to endure a little bit longer ❤️ Warm baths with Epson salt help a lot, you can buy a cheap sit bath on Amazon so you can do it several times a day, helps with the pain and the Epson salts maintain the wounds clean. I also got a portable bidet spray to clean myself which is very nice. Walking is really good for the circulation so yes to small soft walks. Definitely avoid seating as much as you can.
Is normal that you get constates after GA even using laxatives… so I would keep using them, but make sure you are actually drinking enough water. At least 2 liters but more is preferable. If you don’t drink enough water they can be worse. Also I can confirm dates are great!! Thanks for the tip @Lauren342

[Owyabugger]

Thank you @Lauren342 @Groovee and @LunaNight , I very much appreciate your reply and tips! Its hard to not get a little overwhelmed with it all when in pain so your reply has grounded me again. Thank you ♥️

I honestly thought I had a higher pain threshold, clearly not! 🫣🤣🤣

[LunaNight]

I don’t think it’s your pain threshold, I think it might have been that your skin tags where in a more complicated place. The amount, size, form and specially location of the skin tag changes the recovery so much!! If you have a lot of pain try paracetamol too. But hang in there!! the first week is the worst. ❤️❤️

[Owyabugger]

Thank you @LunaNight weirdly feel like ive turned a very small corner today (after giving my head a wobble!) Also braved having a look which was an error as its all super super bumpy! Looks works than before 🫣🫣 ffs.