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

[Redheadmammy]

NK12 I'm also in Holland and have just had a large AST removed this morning, under local and I was in and out in 15mins! The Dr has told.me.not to have a bath as this may make the stitch dissolve quicker than it should, shower the area twice a day and clean properly after every bowl movement. I drove home from the hospital and have the day off work but expecting to be bk tomorrow. I have so far taken no painkillers although the Dr told me to take paracetamol when needed. I havent been given any laxatives just told not to get constipated. The pain so far is manageable...it feels slightly stingy but that's it...I've walked the dog and done housework today! Been told not to do any gym for around 2 weeks but everything should be back to normal within 2 weeks (I've yet to actually look down there yet to see what it looks like!)

[miftyfresh]

Hi there, does anybody have any experience to share from the radiosurgical method?

I had mine surgically removed (scalpel, knife etc) about 2 months ago as he thought the radiosurgical laser was too small. Now that it's gone down a lot in size, I'm hoping he can get the remainder with radiosurgical method.

My recovery last time was so so bad - lump swollen for 4 weeks and 2 weeks off work. Now I'm eager to get rid of it and was wondering how the recovery is from the radiosurgical method. Any help appreciated!!!

[Italimamma]

I have just had this done...literally just this morning. Was terrified, as i spent last night reading the discussions online scaring myself to death! In fact I nearly left the hospital twice this morning!
The procedure was banding of three internal haemorrhoids and removal of two external tags. Wounds have no stitches but I think they are quite small. On waking I felt like I had a really bad case of period cramps and that has continued now that i’m home. I think i’ll have more of an idea once the anaesthetic fully wears off but so far so good. Will update in a day or two.

[Poppyloulou]

Hi All,

I am now 4 weeks post surgery and have had a bit of a bumpy ride. First I developed an infection and had to have antibiotics then I had a reaction to some ointment I was given and it burned all me skin 🙈. I kind of feel it’s been 2 steps forward and one step back! I though things were improving at the end of last week then I noticed that the bumps seemed a bit more swollen that they had been and it started to get an itchy/burning sensation (like poison ivy) periodically throughout the day and keeping me awake at night - it’s driving me mad and the only thing that helps is icing it, which I can’t do all day long! I’m due to go back to work on Monday, but can’t imagine sitting with this all day as I won’t be able to ice it throughout the day and the antihistamines army helping. I have a doctors appointment on Friday and I’m hoping they can give me something else to try, I’m wondering if I need more antibiotics, I finished the ones I was taking a week ago. Was wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar? I’m feeling a bit disheartened by it all, when I look (as you do!) the swelling has went down but it still looks worse that it did before I had the surgery, and that’s 4 weeks later!

Thanks for reading.

[Koolblue]

Poppyloulou, don't worry, I went through a similar story. 7 weeks ago I had an anal polyp and skin tag removed, a fistula laid open, and a hemorrhoid banded. It has been a struggle but I'm nearly there. My itching stopped only recently, I think it was down to a combination of not using wet wipes and also applying Sudocrem (really has helped). I still feel that burning, sting pain after bowel movement, but only on certain days (like today). I went back to work Monday but on reduced hours for a few weeks.

I would recommend not going down the antibiotics route unless you have an infection (which it doesn't sound like you have). Otherwise, apply good creams like Sudocrem and let yourself heal naturally.

We're both on a similar journey but believe me the hard parts are over and it's just a natural recovery process.

[Poppyloulou]

Thanks for your reply Koolblue. It's good to know it's not just me. I feel like people are like 'why do you need so much time off?!' I can't imagine going back to work on Monday with this poison ivy type stinging/itching going on in the background. I've been given antihistamines, but they're not helping. I have been using toilet wet wipes since the op and have had some relief by putting Vaseline on it, but it doesn't stop the pain/itching completely. I'm scared to put any other creams on it since I had a reaction to the last one I was prescribed. Really hoping it's all been worth it.

[miftyfresh]

@Poppyloulou aloe vera!!!! I had the EXACT same thing. The only thing that helped me was Anusol cream to stop the itching and fresh aloe vera. Get a plant and cut the stem off. It works! Temporarily anyway. Best of luck! We're in this together!!! It will get better, promise :)

[Koolblue]

Poppyloulou don't worry about what others think. I took off a long time from work myself, I'm thinking off me, not them. The important thing is you're on the mend like me. Having wounds in that region were never gonna be a quick fix. I would recommend not using wet wipes. I was itching like crazy, but when I stopped using them the itching stopped. Try it. And don't worry about trying other creams, you're only gonna get help from them. I tried so many and Sudocrem has been the best so far for me.

[HellyBaloo]

How are you getting on now? I’m due to have the Hal-Ral procedure and removal of 2 skin tags early November! 🥴

[Poppyloulou]

@HellyBaloo

I've had a bit of a bumpy road with repeated infection so probs not the best person to answer! I'm not familiar with the procedure you mention, I had my tags cut off and the wounds were left open.

[Susysunshine]

I had this done yesterday and have only had mild pain so far. Even had a BM today which didn’t really hurt. Still waiting for worse to come, but so far, so good.

[Nunkie]

Thanks for this thread, it was helpful to read before my op: another experience to add to the list, hope it reassures.

Had mine done a couple of days ago - actual procedure was fine, they removed four tags under general anaesthetic, no stitches - and I actually quite enjoyed the peace and quiet of hanging around reading, then having a nice nap - hahah!

Some things i did that have helped so far:

• started eating a lot of fruit a few days before.
• booked Mister to take over everything for the day of the op so I could just come home and sleep!!
• And the other main thing thats been a really good move is buying one of those cheap, 'portable bidet’ squirty-spout bottle things - godsend! (after the loo i have a good old squirt with that, and a very gentle dab if needed with a water-based baby wipe, or a Tucks pad.)

Same as reported by the other ladies, my bum definitely feels a bit angrier a couple days on, but then i haven’t taken any painkillers since the op, so we’ll see how things proceed.
They sent me home with some codeine in case of emergency but obviously didn’t recommend I take it as its constipating. Nice to know its there if i get desperate though!

But so far discomfort hasn’t been anywhere near what I regularly experienced before having the procedure so, even at this stage, it feels well worth it. Fingers crossed!

Hope everyone else's bottom is returning to normal service!

[Mama511]

Hi all!
I had 2 AST removed yesterday under general anesthesia. My doctor didnt use stitches but said that there was something that would come out with my first BM (which hasn't happened yet.) Does anyone know what is up there? Visually it looks like the larger of the two tags is still there, but I'm wondering if whatever is up my butt, sorry TMI, could just look fleshy? I am worried that she didnt remove the whole thing and I will need to go through this recovery again 😖.
Anyone know what is up there? How many days was it before your first BM? I am taking colace and feel constant pressure like I need to go, but I try and nothing happens, dont want to try too hard.
Thanks in advance for any info!

[Nunkie]

Hi Mama - welcome to the Sore Arse Gang!

Did you leave with any notes on your procedure that might help enlighten you? (I was sent away with something I signed that has brief details of what they did). If not did they give you a number to call if you have any concerns? It should be on a leaflet about the surgery if they gave you one?

A few months before I had the tags sorted I had some internal hemhor... (god, I cant spell it!) ‘grapes’ banded. It typically takes a day or two for these to drop off and make their exit, so could they have done something like this?

(My docs said if they found anymore ‘grapes’ en route they would remove them, but there weren’t any)

[Supernova13]

Hello I had a medium sized external skin tag removed 10 days ago. The first 5 days were hell warm baths were my only relief and on day 5 I went back to work and had to leave early due to pain and went to doc to have it checked to make sure I didn't pop a stitch or have an infection. He said everything was good just really swollen and prescribed me better pain killers and sent me home. The next day the swelling finally went down enough to feel comfortable but I noticed a string just hanging there and when I pull on it it stings but I can't see where the other end is. Now day 10 the string is still there and it's about 2 inches long and is just attached also there is no longer any pain but sometimes when I wipe back there, there is yellowish mucous looking stuff sometimes with a little blood and also it looks worse down there then it did before like a wad of chewed up bubble gum and I'm worried I'm stuck looking like that. I go back to doc in 3 days but im driving myself mad and was wondering if anyone delt with something similar?

[Nunkie]

Hi Super - Poor you - what an ordeal.

Can't help re the mystery-string (tho a lot of people here talking about feeling lumpy afterwards for a while) but have certainly had a bit of a 'leaky' bum in terms of what you mention re blood and yellow, etc. I've just take this as quite normal based on the other accounts I've read.

I'd imagine your bum is still also quite angry even though it hurts less, esp if you had stitches, and hopefully will settle and de-swell a lot more over the coming days and weeks.

It's not like you can 'rest' a bum so i guess they're always going to be swollen and irritated and frankly a bit minging for longer, I'd have thought. I'm no expert though.

Good luck - let us know what the doc says!
[raises a glass of syrup of figs]

[Supernova13]

Ok so the string was just a stitch that hadn't dissolved and was removed and the mucus discharge is apparently normal and common but could take a few weeks to stop and I was told it could take a while for things to look normal down there as well but thankfully everything is good and I have to go back in 2 more weeks ugh

[Undecided62]

I’m due to have 5 anal skin tags removed next month, which I’ve tolerated since my Daughter was born 37 yrs ago! I’ve read with interest ( and fear!) at peoples’ experiences, but I’m wondering how the healing process went after a few weeks, and if, given the choice again, you’d go through with it? Risk of infection and incontinence are a real concern! And anyone who had several tags removed, like me? Thanks!

[Gem38]

Hi undecided62,
I had my skin tag removed in July, didn't have lots removed like you though but had it up with the pain for years to the point couldn't bare it anymore. The pain was intense for a while and feel lasted a long time afterwards but think that was due to the hardness of my poo as stopped taking laxatives and eating a lot of fibre too soon . I still bleed at times but no pain. I am so pleased that I got it done now as the pain I was experienced before the op has gone and feel I can now do things I wouldn't do before due to discomfort so really is worth it in the end. Just eat the right things and have regular salt baths and things will improve . X

[mam1234]

hi all
I just need a bit of reassurance from people who have been through similar experiences as me
I had a large AST removed 8days ago. (have more smaller ones and 3large haemorrhoids.....thanks kids) all was fine till day4 when I had a lot of discharge from the area. was put on antibiotics and went on my merry way. woke 2 nights later with an almighty pain and a weird sensation. went to work the next day but didn't feel right. on examination once I got home I went straight to the doctor who confirmed my stitches burst. sent me to a and e. doc there told me that it isn't infected and it will now just have to heal on its own?!!! could take several weeks.???
now I'm totally distraught. is my "situation" ever going to look anything normal ever again? I'm terrified of further surgery on the haemorrhoids now too. I feel really awful and disgusting (have already suggested to my husband to leave me and find a newer model in peak condition!) and I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and can offer some real advice/reassurance that everything will be ok. thanks

[Ellabeam]

I had an anal skin tag removed 6 days ago which I was told left a 5 pence size hole which has not been stitched.
Prior to the operation, which I had done under General, I was petrified after reading the posts on here and the surgeon telling me I wasn't going to like him post surgery due to the pain he was going to cause me.
I was home the same day for about 2pm and had no pain. I had codeine just it case.
I just wanted to share my pain experience.. I've had pretty much none. Paracetamol did the trick day 1 and day 2.
I haven't taken anything since, even after a bowl movement.
I started with a fibre supplement two weeks before, which I'm staying on. I have kept so so clean to stop infection, I have used an anti bacteria soap but nurse said normal soap and water is fine.
I've not bought any sitz baths, just normal baths and showers!
I booked two weeks off work because the surgeon advised I would need that long. I'm still having the next week but I could easily go back.
I have also taken the odd bit of a laxative I was provided from the hospital.
It all looks perfect down there too.
I just wanted to write a positive experience just to help others who like me, was fearing it.

[DN93]

Hi all,

I'm in this boat too and trying to decide what to do at the moment. I'm currently booked in for a colonoscopy and surgical removal of a few anal skin tags. I'm only 26 and I'm soooooo nervous about the pain afterwards.

After reading discussions here, I'm wondering if I should just leave them. They don't cause me much pain, but they are very hard to keep clean, can become irritated at times, and obviously I hate having skin hanging from my butt.

On the other hand, I'm thinking of dealing with the pain, ensuring that I do everything possible to heal right and try my hardest to have them never return. These are from when I was a teenager and I was very unhealthy. Arghhh, if I could go back in time......

I'd love to hear from someone who has had a few anal skin tags removed and has completely recovered. Was it worth it? How long to truly fully recover and not be able to feel any pain? Does it look normal/semi normal now?

My surgeon has said that they don't use stitches, they just cut them off and leave them open. Apparently stitches make it much more likely for an infection to occur. I can see from reading here that plenty of you have had stitches. Has anyone not had any? It seems they do it differently everywhere. I'm from Australia.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Gem38]

Hi,
I had a large skin tag removed in July and didn't have stitches. It was totally worth it as mine caused me a lot of pain. It took a while to heal, longer than I expected . However, I think this was because I stopped drinking fibre drinks and having laxatives too soon . So don't stop that too soon.

[SJ74]

Hi,
I am so glad I found this thread. I’m going in on Friday 29.11.19 for a skin tag removal and piles that are attached to it. I’m not going to lie I’m dreading it. I’ve read all your comments and will get myself prepared this week for my after care. I am from the uk so what’s best to buy to keep my stools soft please?
Thank you

[Madagascar1997D]

Hello, I am 21 years old and I am not a mom. I have a kind of small, external skin tag as well and I am terrified of the surgery but I really want to get rid of the tag. I live in London and I really don't know where to get it removed. I went to London Dermatology Clinic who claimed they can remove it over the phone but when I got there the doctor told me he could only cut a little bit from it and make it smaller which is clearly not what I want, I want to get rid of all of it. I paid 75 £ for the consultation and went home crying because I expected him to be able to do it. He also told me that the anesthetic will be local and I will have an injection in my anus basically and it terrified me. Everywhere I search online they say the procedure is done under local anesthetic and I am really scared of it. Reading all the posts in here i got even more scared because of what comes after. I am scared it is still going to look bad and it's going to hurt too much, al for nothing. Could you please recommend me a good clinic if you know one, in London? And also the price for your operations as I am slightly confused, on some websites is 400 £, and on the other is up to 1250.

PS, I am also a student and can't afford missing from university that much. And also I need it to look good asap and get it over with.

Somebody helllpp!! :(