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

[ReadyorNot80]

I believe I have an AST..I've had it for about 3 years and just today asked a local laser clinic if they remove AST'S. I'm waiting for a consult. Apparently if all goes well, they will do the "treatment" right after .

After reading these posts I am terrified!! It's one (kinda large) skin tag.. just around the outside of my anus. Not inside..... It would be removed with laser .... Is it really going to be horrible?

[Kolopo]

Hi, I’m due to have 2 small anal tags removed in the new year and was wondering how much time I would need off work to recover?
Also, what do they put on your sick note? Really wouldn’t want my boss knowing the details of my op!!!

[Jacjacjac]

I had two thrombosed external haemerrhoids when I was 8 months pregnant - they were extremely painful, much much worse than childbirth. I went to 3 GPs (Easter weekend so couldn't see my normal doc), first was absolutely useless and gave me suppositories and told me to get an anal cream from the chemist. Went back to my GP as I was getting worse and she sent me straight to a colorectal surgeon. He saw me and refused to treat it as he said I was too close to giving birth. That took 8 mins and cost $280. One thing he did recommend was Xylocaine jelly, a topical anaesthetic. Get this at the chemist and ask for the highest strength they have (I didn't need a script)
I then told a friend who told me she'd had them too (things ppl don't talk about re pregnancy!!!) And her gp had excised them for her. So I went there in urgency and had them excised, meaning local anaesthetic injected with 2 needles (horrifically painful for those moments) and she scraped out the blood clots from the giant grapes that surrounded what used to be a normal butthole. I really recommend this as it gave me instant relief after days of pain to the point of tears and inability to sit or do anything other than lie in bed.
That was 8 months ago and I now have a ginormous 7 mth baby and until last week, a set of ginormous skin tags to match.
The ASTs were really bothering me hygiene-wise, and I was very embarrassed so sex hasn't been the same though my husband insists he's not at all deterred. I went to see a different (!) Colorectal surgeon a few weeks ago and his bedside manner was much better and he told me it was a simple procedure. Last week I had the operation. I didn't know what to expect so I'll add my experience in this too.
I was an outpatient in a day hospital - checked in at 2 pm. Had my husband drop me off and he was told I would be 3 hrs and he would be called an hour prior to when he needed to escort me (escorts required in order to be discharged as driving not ok and fall risk etc).
I was taken by a nurse to change and remove my watches etc and given a beautiful backless gown. I was then taken to see the anaesthetist who was a bit gruff, I had to ask him what his plan was as he wasn't forthcoming - apparently the choice of anaesthesia depends on whether they can operate while you're on your side or they need fuller access to tape your bum open so you're on your tummy. So it depends on what your surgeon does. I was put in a bed and wheeled to a treatment area where nurses were busy and I fell asleep briefly until someone came to ask if I'd had an enema. I thought I had escaped this but sadly no. I eventually had a nurse who was a former resident of a communist nation shove Me on my side and bark at me to pull my knees to my chest while she inserted the enema. If you don't know what this is, it's a warm liquid they fill you with that makes you empty your bowels rapidly. She told me to hold it as long as I could and when I asked how long that range tended to be she barked EVERYONE DIFFERENT. Thanks for that. It took me about 3-5 mins I would say to run to the loo and empty like i had food poisoning while backpacking in South East Asia. I cleaned myself as best as I could and hopped back into the bed and was then wheeled to the theatre. Anaesthetist jabbed me three times before finding a vein for the cannula, administered happy stuff and then they had an oxygen mask on my face and I was out like a light.
The next thing I knew the barking nurse was barking at me to WAKE UP. That's about as pleasant as it sounds...she yelled my husband's phone number and called him, barked at him ONE HOUR and there I was. I was quite cold as tends to happen under general.
Eventually I was told to get up and walk to a chair where I was given sandwiches and tea by a much gentler nurse. Watched miss Marple and read a magazine i had brought and changed into my civilian clothes. Anaesthetist and doc both saw Me and said it was fine and out I went off home with some opioid Painkillers.
I'm 7 days on and haven't taken any pain medication. First BM was 12 hr after and was loose (remnants of enema?) And painless. I've eaten my normal diet since and had bleeding each time. Mucus and light bleeding seems to be the pattern so I've been wearing pantiliners and pads. BMs every day now and they're much more painful than the first as there is no anaesthesia! I have a warm salt bath on the go straight after as it is eye watering pain. Still nothing compared to the original thrombosed haemerrhoids!
My surgery was a simple excision, no stitches. I looked straight after the dressing came off the following day and it looks back to normal, which I'm v happy about! Now just hoping the painful BMs subside asap as well as the light bleeding.

[ReadyorNot80]

Thanks Jacjacjac for your post....
Turns out, I don't have an AST at all... Seems it's an "atypical" hemorrhoid.... How have I had a hemorrhoid for 3 years and it's only bothered me mentally? The laser clinic advised me to see a plastic surgeon to have it removed...... Sounds terrifying!!!

[Culleen92]

How has everyone’s recovery gone? Reading through I feel like I’m going to be ok and recover but others experience has me a little frightened. I’m on day 4 post 3 AST removed with laser/electro therapy.. First day or two was terrible and now just more uncomfortable. Was able to go back to work today and I’m on my feet all day so was fine with 1 or 2 ibuprofen.. I sitz morning after have a bm and another bath at night. I only use a tiny bit of Epsom salts I used too much before and it stung so bad!! It just looks so bad and this is what’s scaring me.. swollen and like a little lump sounds similar to others who have posted here just wondering over time will it look normal?

[Culleen92]

@Bingbong1 @miftyfresh @Gem38 hi guys so it's been a few months since your removal has the weird hard lumpy thingy ever go? One week on and so scared it will never look normal.. any feedback would be great fully appreciated:)

[Gem38]

@Culleen92, hi, I had mine removed last July. The lump does go away eventually it took quite a few months to go back completely normal for me. I still bleed at times though with a little sting but no where near what it was like before! I still have to take the extra fibre supplements.
Hope this is helpful . It gets better and the lump went for me x
Gemma

[Culleen92]

@Gem38 thanks so much for your reply.. hopefully in time I'll be good.. glad to hear your improved and doing well. :)

[Gem38]

@Culleen92, Good luck and hope all goes well xx

[Hel42]

Hi everyone. Just joined mumsnet purely for this thread. I had a skin tag removed last Tuesday 21/01/2020 under a general and had stitches. Today I've had my first bowel movement! The pain was unbelievable, stool wouldn't pass . I had to lie down and then managed a little salt bath. I'm so scared of going again. I've been taking lactulose everyday but still struggled. Rang the pharmacy to see if I can put anything on to ease the pain and he said no cream because of the stiches, but I can't cope, so much pain with every move :( I also have crohns disease :( I would really appreciate any help. What I have read has been helpful just by realising I'm not alone.

[Gem38]

@Hel42.
Aww bless you I remember feeling exactly the same . Even now I worry about splitting it open again as sometimes it does bleed. I used lactulose plus still have high fibre drinks , I would go to the toilet and be in pain for hours afterwards. Spent a lot of the time in salt baths or sitting in the shower which helped . Also had a hot water bottle when sitting down . I found that sitting down was too painful and found that pacing around helped ease the pain . Just walked around my garden and around the house for 20mins then sat down for 20 mins x. I didn't have stitches just left open and had BOTOX injections to help heal . Hang in there it does improve.
Gemma

[Hel42]

Thankyou Gemma. I can't sit either I seem to be lying on alternate sides. I knew it would be bad when I went the loo but that was crazy :( I am used to pain there aswell. It's the after pain too, the soreness and swelling. I've just had some weetabix! Thanks again for your reply , its good to talk.

[megletthesecond]

hel are you able to take movicol / stool softeners? I found it less painful than lactulose.
Hang in there, it gets better in time .

[browniebabe]

I just had one AST removed on 1/30 under local.. won’t do that again. I have one large one to go but will do it under a twilight/general. What helped me is using 2 stool softeners a day and one tablespoon of mineral oil at night. Everything just slips right out. Also i had my first bm today, 4 days after surgery so I think I allowed my body to recover somewhat before having a bm thru my surgery. I think it is key. I did a magnesium citrate cleanse before surgery and then an enema so I didn’t really have the urge to go until today. I kept my diet to soft foods, fiber bars and high fiber oatmeal, lots of water and gatorade. So far I am more uncomfortable than anything else but still need ibuprofen round the clock. As someone said, epsom salt baths are also thr best! I think at least twice is religion. For those who work, bring a sitz and salt with you and sit it in as often as you can.. it really is soothing. Hoping time will heal with everything up nicely then I will get the others completed.

[Bosgirl77]

Hi all! I read this thread before my AST removal and thought I would come back and share my experience. I had a skin tag from a hemorrhoid during pregnancy. I decided to have it removed for aesthetic and cleanliness reasons.

My surgeon said I could have it done under local so I opted for that. I was nervous as heck but three days post op, I’m so glad I did it. The shot did hurt, but it wasn’t all that bad. I felt some tugging but it didn’t hurt. It was over in about 5 minutes. I went home and took 4 Advil. I felt a little pain as the numbing agent wore off and before the Advil kicked in but again, not bad. First 24 hours I alternated every three hours between 4 Advil and 2 Tylenol. I experienced no pain. I took a bath the first day just to clean the area. Most blood was day one. The area is still a bit swollen and tender but I’m now only taking two Advil and two Tylenol alternating every three hours. Every now and then I’ll feel a slight twinge but it’s nothing. My first be was a little painful, but maybe because I’ve gone through child birth twice, i have a higher tolerance for pain.

I didn’t experience, yet, a hard lump. I actually thought I had, but realized it was a piece of gauze. I’ve been too chicken to look at the area with a mirror, but plan to in the next day or so.

Anyways, just wanted to share a not so bad story for those of you who are nervous like I was. I realize I’m just a couple days into my recovery but plan on going back to work on Monday (it’s Saturday.)

[Andreac1990]

Hi I’m looking for advice.... I have two anal skin tags which appeared after having my daughter last August.... I have been offered surgery but the doctor told me to have a think over three months before making a decision.... I am not in pain with them and I am on regular laxatives anyways so my stools are generally soft. I hate them being there though.... I’m just so worried about the recovery after the surgery having two girls under five my life is pretty busy..... not sure if it’s the right time or maybe if I should put it off a few years....

[Bosgirl77]

Get it done! I’m on day five of recovery and it’s been fine for me. I had it done in office and the worst was the numbing needle.

[Gem38]

Hi,
I had my anal skin tag removed 7 months ago as was causing terrible pain and bleeding . I was just checking on the people who have had it done a while ago on there recovery? All though I am not in anywhere near as much pain as I was before the op I still tear open and bleed on occasions . I can go weeks being fine and then just my poo seems to go very solid and causes issues . I drink fibre drinks, make sure I have high fibre food, drink plenty of water and take fibre supplements too . I don't know whether this is not normal and should return to doctors as don't want things to go back to the way they were before my op . Any advice or experiences would be appreciated x
Thanks x

[Koolblue]

Hi Gem38, I'm on exactly the same boat as you. I have a few weeks of no blood, then it just opens up and bleeds. I'm also reluctant to go back to the Dr as I'm in a much better place overall, except for the bleeding.

[Gem38]

Hi @Koolblue ,
I feel in a much better place than I was before . Did go back to doctors as was worried it would get as bad as it was again. They gave me cream and worked well, but yet again split open again . Always seems to be just before I am due on .
How long ago did you have yours?? X

[Koolblue]

Hi Gem38, I had my Op in July last year. Around the same time as you. I haven't been back to the Dr yet, I am using Sudocrem again to try and control it. I really don't wanna go down the operation route as I feel so happy apart from the blood. What cream did they give you?

[Gem38]

Hi koolblue they gave me diltiazem to use for a month which was great but 2 weeks into using it it is bleeding and a bit painful again x I had mine done in July x can i ask does yourself adjust before due on ?

[Koolblue]

Hi Gem38, I stopped using Diltiazem as it just multiplied my itching. Yeah, mine goes normal and I feel fine, for a few days or a week or two then all of a sudden I might have a hard stool or a day of sitting all day (I work in an office) and it then bleeds after bowel movement. It's so frustrating. Before the op I had a hemorrhoid, a skin tag, a polyp and a fistula. Now I have none of that, so it's amazing there. But it just seems like the open wound where they removed the skin tag just isn't healing strong enough.

[Gem38]

Koolblue,
Same here feel fantastic most of the time then have hard stool and all takes a step back and feel like I have to start again. X I was great for about 6 weeks over Xmas until I got a stomach bug and on and off since then x

[Koolblue]

Hey Gem38, Oh my god, I was similar too (no tummy bug for me) but I had a few great weeks in December and then it started again. We must be going through parallel experiences here! I swear I am going through similar stuff X