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

[Gem38]

Hi @miftyfresh , thank you. Glad just not me and your recovery is going well. I am on day 5 now and have little pain now found that I sit for a while and walk around for 10 minutes has really helped ! Think I had a bit too many laxatives yesterday tho 😊 . Not so much bleeding but a bit of a funny smell down there at times. I am hoping to be alright next week as going abroad and worried about being uncomfortable so fingers crossed be ok.
In answer to your question swelling isn't too bad but my skin tag was pretty big and was outside my bumhole so was use to feeling something larger in that area .
Thank you for the response and wishing u a full recovery xxx

[Gem38]

Hello, me again! I am now 12 days after surgery and all seems well when I don't go for a poo! Have brilliant days but quickly turn after the toilet.
I was wondering how other people cope? It doesn't hurt that much when I am going to the toilet (bleeds a little ) but not long after it just begins to sting and continues to sting for about 6 hrs .has anyone else experienced this?

[Shlie]

Hello folks! Had a large AST removed 8 days ago now, and experiencing exactly the same as Gem38. Think all is going well until I go to the toilet and everything is hell again. I think it was actually better a couple of days ago than it is today. Pain seems to be getting worse and bleeding is increasing after bowel movements. The doctor said I should call her of the pain increases drastically and becomes unbearable, which it isn't, so I don't feel brave to bother her to check the wound again. I have a sedentary job though, and if it continues to hurt like this, there is not way I can go back to work next week and sit in the office chair. Not sure what to do :(

[ChippyTea16]

Hi all, following with interest as I had mine done yesterday but curious as no-one has mentioned the compression socks. I’ve been told to wear them for 6 weeks! Has anyone else done this and does anyone know if I can have the odd day not wearing them? Thanks!

[Gem38]

Hi I am on day 20 now still only a problem when I go to the toilet pain lasting about 4 hrs now so reducing . @shlie totally agree I would still not feel comfortable going back to work in case it is a 'bad day' . Dont go back until yoh are ready. I am lucky as I work in a school so only missed the last week and have another 6 weeks to recover !
@chippytea16 no mention of socks when came out.
Did speak to the consultant and he suggested a local anesthetic cream for the pain, works a bit . The amount of showers and salt baths I have a day my water bill is going to be huge !!! X
Started a routine now go to the toilet have a shower add some numbing cream and lay down then pain seems to kick in more after 20minutes after bowel movement so have a soak have a walk around my house, sit on a hot water bottle . Pain doesn't seem as bad and doesnt last as long . X
Hope all things improve for you all xx

[ChippyTea16]

Hello @Shlie how are you feeling now? I was in pain today but keeping myself topped up with painkillers. I had mine done on Tuesday and I’m still bleeding heavily (had internal haemorrhoid removed and external skin tag removed). Not sure when I need to be worried about the bleeding. Not entirely convinced I should have had this done. I’m scared to eat anything normal! I’ve been having lots of bowel movements and it’s stinging afterwards which Is to be expected I guess. Just feeling a bit down today!

[ChippyTea16]

I was also told to wear compression socks for 6 weeks which is apparently standard for any lower body surgery. Weird no-one else has been given this advice!

[virgo6]

Hi everyone glad I found this I had surgery 3 days ago to remove skin tags I'd also been putting it off. He said he removed 2 and they were larger than he remembered.

I looked in the mirror ans I have like 2 or 3 lumps one is shiny red like a kidney bean I'm gutted it looks so bad aside the stitches and black and blue bum on top I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow to get it check I noticed few people asked if it was normal so wondering if they went ? I feel like they are more droids I look like a patchwork quilt

[Gem38]

@virgo6 I had a shiny red kidney bean swelling for a while after my op. Had mine 3 weeks ago today and now beginning to ease and starting to look a bit more normal. Best to get it checked though I rang up to speak to the after op team a few times after as I wasn't sure what to expect afterwards and does put your mind at ease.

[Gem38]

Hello ,
Just want to check everyone's progress. I am on week 5 now . During week 4 I had no problems and thought all the pain was worth it in the end felt great for a week! But then week 5 came ... and went to the toilet and poo was quite hard (sorry too much info) and now it's painful again and bleeding each bm and uncomfortable through out the day.
Has anyone experienced any set backs ? I have read that will take between 10-12 weeks until fully healed had a few teary days .

[Jasper55]

Hi there I’m on day 15 post surgery
Had 2 very large tags removed and internal and external haemorrhoidechtomy.
Under a general day surgery.
All went very well day 1 and 2 pain was under control with just regular Panadol and brufen but day 3/4 set back and was sooooo painful
Especially after 1st poo!! Salt baths and sitz baths were big relief and had many every day. Went back to work yesterday. Feel
So much better but am still getting the balance of laxitive/softners right as too much and it’s a
Nightmare but not enough and it really really hurts. Little bit of bleeding.
Bath still
Helps. GP says healing well all looking good but there is huge swelling.... can’t see much except black and blue up there......
Can tell already it’s going to be better but can’t tell for sure yet as everything is so swollen and sore... but way better than week one and two as I head into week 3 .....
Don’t you wish you could just stop pooing for a week or so and let your body heal.... feels like you’re opening up the wounds every single time

[Gem38]

@jasper55. Yes which could not poo for a week ! Was so disheartened after my week pain free but my fault u assumed better and didn't continue taking my laxatives so everything was a bit hard making it rip open again . So cross with myself feel like starting the healing process all over again x

[Poppyloulou]

Hi all,

I’m having banding and surgery under GA to remove 3 large skin tags on Sunday. I’ve had the banding before so I know what to expect with that. I’m looking for some advice in regards to the skin tag removal, tips, things you wish you’d have known etc. I already have

a sitz bath and salts
lavender oil
Aloe vera gel
Dulcolax softeners
Arnica pills
Ice packs

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I’m quite nervous. I was planning a high fibre diet, any foods to avoid?

I was told a minimum 2week recovery time, before you can go back to work. Does that sound right? I’m a teacher of year 1 so I need to be 100% when I go back as it’ll be full on!

Many thanks for reading 😊

[Sleepyhead19]

I have one that makes me very self conscious and, like yours, pulls things out. I had a camera up there last year and I asked if it could be lasered off with a polyp and they said it would require surgery. It’s sore, swells because of where it is and itches. When I asked about surgery for it, the consultant laughed at me :(.
I think you should get it done. You’ll feel so much better for it x

[Jasper55]

Poppyloulou you have the perfect things. As well
As a regular bath if you have one? I wouldn’t put lavender in the bath if I were you until it’s. Bit more healed.
Just salt in the early stages. I lived in either the big bath or the sitz especially after a poop. It was the only place I could get comfy
I also froze sanitary pads as Ice packs.
You will
Need all of your 2 weeks especially as a year one teacher!!
But hopefully that will
Be enough I went back
After 2 weeks and am a wee bit sore but not in pain at all.
It’s not very nice but it’s short term and will
Be worth it. I’m only in week 3 so can’t tell you yet that it’s all
Been worth it etc and I’m still so swollen it’s hard to really see what’s happening. But after the 2 very large ones have gone it’s better already.
I had haemorrhoidechtomy at the same time so not pleasant
Good lu k!!!

[Gem38]

Hi,
My advice would be to continue with high fibre diet and laxatives for a while after you feel better, this was my mistake . Felt like I was starting my recovery all over again ! Worth doing as the pain hasn't been as painful as before I had the op . X

[Poppyloulou]

Thanks for your replies 😊 Just want it to be over now!

[Gem38]

I found goats milk was good for digestion too x however, does taste bit like farmyard on cereal but good in tea and to make smoothies out of x

[Jasper55]

Gem38 day 18 and I did exactly what you just explained ... don’t take softener oh my gi! Not even ‘hard’ poop but I’m so much pain post bowel movement 5 hours ago and away from home so cant have a bath
Feels like week one again
Swollen sore and have period as well

[Gem38]

Jasper55 I was feeling so great too ! Poor u being away ☹ it's taken a week of laxatives and fibre drinks and the pain and bleeding starting to ease . I won't be so quick to stop this routine this time . Hope u can try and enjoy your time away xx

[Gem38]

Jasper55 my problems were always worse during and just before the time of the month my doctor said it's because the blood flow changes and that's when mine flared up again x

[Poppyloulou]

Hi all,

Was wondering how everyone is doing? I had my surgery one week ago, 4 large piles banded, sigmoidoscopy and 2 skin tags removed. Pain is manageable, not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Still can’t sit down properly, too sore and uncomfortable. Some bleeding and discharge/leaking? Which is quite horrible 😕. I assumed the hospital would give me a sick note for work, but they just told me to self cert for the week then get the note from my GP. I have an appointment tomorrow morning and I’m scared she’s going to say I’m fine to go back to work. Going to the toilet is challenging and I’ve been having a shower afterwards as it’s the only way to get truly clean. Also, as I’m taking laxatives as soon as I feel like I need to go, I NEED to go - not very easy in a class of 30 six year old children. I’m also really tired and having a nap most afternoons. Hopefully she’ll be sympathetic one she hears my symptoms and examines the EXTREMELY swollen area - it looks far worse than it did initially 🙈

[Gem38]

Hi poppyloulou,
I also work in a school so glad I had mine just before we broke up as had the summer to recover ! The doctors seemed good and offered me 2 weeks off . If it wasn't for the summer holiday I would have asked for more time . After 4 weeks I was great and stopped taking laxatives . .. big mistake don't stop too soon! Had a set back for a week . I am now on week 6/7 and all is good I am drinking lots of fibre drinks and taking laxatives to help. Will continue to take them until I go to my 10 week check up as so scared I will damage things again. Still feel it could go after one fatal poo 😊.
I have epsom salt baths often to help and still now shower after going to the toilet. Feel it was worth having done as finally pain free after 2 years . X
Hope you have a quick recovery just don't push yourself and take the time you need off to heal xx

[Tyc7]

I just had two skin tags removed on the 26th which was Monday i am sooooo sore. I was put to sleep for the surgery at Temple hospital in Philadelphia. No pain the day of surgery and the BOOM the very next day i cant stand sit or walk. This pain is very strong and i have stiches which i haven't ruptured nor have i made a bowel movement since the surgery. Well i also had 2 fleet enemas before the day of surgery. I would just really like to know does anyone have an idea on how long you will feel this excruciating pain when u walk sit or stand. Like does the severe pain last for 5 days or more or less? I eat lots of fruit and i drink lots of water. I soak 4 times a day. But it has very little affect on this pain i get when i try to move. I just lay down all day an dread having to use the restroom because that means i have to walk which means my bum starts with the excruciating pain part all over again! How long does the major pain last???

[Gem38]

I had trouble sitting and getting up before the surgery anyway so was used to that pain after a week wasn't as bad until after going to the toilet and had pain for the rest of the day. It does get better and you are doing the right things . Keep taking pain killers and lots of fibre . I found the 2 week recovery period a bit ambitious, it has taken a lot longer than that! Get in touch with your doctor if really uncomfortable just to get checked out x. Hope rest of your recovery goes well and stay positive ! X