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Original poster

Bumtags

29 replies

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 14:59

Anyone with Anal Skin Tags please reply.

I have three left over from piles after having my second child. They don't bother me except in difficulty getting clean after a bowel movement and (and the look of them but obviously not like I look often!!). I'm talking 15 wipes to get clean (if between type 4-5 on Bristol Stool Chart) then a re-wipe after walking around for a couple of minutes. Then I'm fine for the rest of the day except the constant anxiety that I might leak if I pass wind (I haven't but due to re-wipe after bowel movement I'm anxious about it happening).
Is this what people mean by not being able to get clean or is my case excessive??

I have an appointment to see GP in a couple of weeks but I have seen that those who have tags removed did not have them taken care of until completely done with babies. I'd like one more, hubby absolutely does not so I'm not sure if I should utilise my health insurance to get this sorted now or not.

Advice?

OP posts:

AuntyElle · 29/08/2017 15:05

I have them and looked into surgery, but it did not sound at all straightforward. On health forums there were a lot of people saying that it was extremely painful afterwards and they then reoccurred. It seems it's not an easy area to operate on.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 15:21

AuntyElle- do you find it difficult to get clean after a bowel movement? (Sorry for asking)

OP posts:

AuntyElle · 29/08/2017 15:56

Yes, I have to use wet wipes (which I wouldn't otherwise). Not quite 15 though! My GP took a look and said, "Hmmm, yes, they are substantial." Which I think is doc-speak for frickin huge. And I haven't even had a baby!
But she didn't suggest doing anything. It would have to be private I'm sure.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 16:26

Ok, thanks.

OP posts:

AuntyElle · 29/08/2017 16:28

Did you get a different impression of the surgery? As I'd love to be wrong.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 16:50

I haven't actually discussed options with the GP yet but I have read a lot of stories online- some sound awful, some sound like things went fairly well. I think it is like any surgery and different people will have different experiences and it depends to what extent the tags are affecting your life. I feel dirty all the time!!

OP posts:

Margomyhero · 29/08/2017 16:58

I had mine removed a few years ago.

I think there were quite a few - and they were in the way. I'd originally gone to see the GP as I had a fissure and was in a lot of pain. i was put on the waiting list to see the consultant about it all - and had them removed.

The op was under a general anaesthetic on a day surgery basis. It was quite uncomfortable afterwards for a good week or so. I had to be very careful to eat lots of fruit and ensure all bowel movements were soft. I had to grit my teeth now and again. Lots of salt water baths too.

There were stitches which didn't all dissolve as they should - so I ended up going to the local surgery for the nurse to snip them.

It turned out that the surgeon didn't remove them all. At my check up appointment afterwards the nurse who saw me booked me straight back in to get it fixed. Again a day case, but this time the recovery was significantly easier.

This was all on the NHS - and waiting times weren't that long in the end.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 18:17

Margo- was your biggest issue pain then rather than cleanliness?

OP posts:

Margomyhero · 29/08/2017 18:22

hmmm - well the pain was caused by the fissure which eventually cleared up on its own (prior to the skin tag surgery fortunately)

Cleanliness was defnitely a concern.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 18:24

Ah. It's so grim isn't it!! Thanks for replying :-)

OP posts:

BeautifulLiar · 29/08/2017 18:30

Hey, I had mine removed last year. Very quick, simple op under GA.

After a couple of days I was in fucking agony. It was like giving birth. I remember being on all fours in the bathroom dripping with sweat and screaming like an animal :(

The pain did go after a few days and I'm glad I had it done now!

Frustratedboarder · 29/08/2017 18:35

I have a couple and like you Op feel regular wiping doesn't get the job done properly but I Always use a baby wipe for last wipes (folded over a couple times to be sure) so don't have an issue day to day.

I have thought about having them removed but no bloody way after reading some of these replies about the pain!!

thisisaseriousproblem · 29/08/2017 18:41

I have just posted a thread about piles during pregnancy, and couldn't help but notice this one... sorry to jump on.

Mine are worryingly huge and won't go back in as they are supposed to (according to google, thanks google for making me try things I never ever thought I would have to).

At the sake of sounding like a piles troll (), could you just tell me how bad they got during pregnancy, I am nearly 33 weeks, and scared my arse will fall out at this rate....

thisisaseriousproblem · 29/08/2017 18:43

Oh and do I have to swallow my pride and go and see my GP. Or will they just shrink???

Oh the glamour...

Original poster

niqnet1 · 29/08/2017 19:50

TBH My piles were absolutely fine during both pregnancies- no pain just mild discomfort but I never got constipated (always the other way!!). It was only after giving birth that I noticed mine. First time it all went back where it came from but second time they have shrunk and left these stupid flaps which seem to make it so my bumhole doesn't close properly straight away after a bowel movement. I'm sure you'll be ok this is a seriousproblem. If they aren't causing pain, I'd see how you get on after birth as they may well go away.

OP posts:

Funnyface1 · 29/08/2017 21:46

I had one removed in June. I went private for internal piles surgery and had the tag taken off at the same time.

It's fair to say that the tag caused me the most pain and took what felt like a long time to heal. It's September now and I'm still having to be really careful.

It's a difficult part of the body to heal, the risk of infection is high and the area is packed with pain sensors. I was advised to leave them unless they are causing pain and I would agree with that advice.

Having said that I did it and survived it and I'm better for it so only you can decide how much it's impacting your life. Just give it a lot of consideration, it's not pain free.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 30/08/2017 08:48

I think I will at least ask for a referral to discuss options as the leaking small amount of poop after a bowel movement is awful and impacting my mental health. I'm also working with a women's health physio to make sure that isn't pelvic floor related but I'm pretty sure it is to do with things not closing properly now my anus is broken :-)

OP posts:

Margomyhero · 30/08/2017 12:15

The pain was only for a few days. It really was worth it.

mayhew · 30/08/2017 17:18

If you can fit a bidet into your bathroom, that helps a lot with hygiene. Alternatively, the Muslim method of washing with running water into the toilet.

Original poster

niqnet1 · 30/08/2017 17:37

It doesn't seem to matter if I have a shower straight after a bowel movement or wash etc as a tiny bit always seems to come out as I start walking around.

OP posts:

Original poster

niqnet1 · 30/08/2017 17:50

I think I need to see some sort of bum expert to check nothing else is going on as well as if I have more than one bowel movement a day my poor little butt can't cope with the excessive wiping.

OP posts:

MakeupLover1 · 02/09/2017 10:52

Hi all. I'm interested in this thread as I am actually recovering from surgery myself. I had banding of internal haemorrhoids and surgical removal of skin tags on Tuesday evening under a general anaesthetic.

I've been taking regular paracetamol and ibuprofen which helps and also lots of lactulose to soften things up when I go to the loo....would definitely recommend anyone having this surgery takes this.

My problem and concern is post op swelling. Immediately after the surgery it looked like my anus was completely surrounded by piles! This has reduced but I'm still left with a couple of very swollen lumps. Not sure if this is caused by the stitches I have. Can anyone else who has had this surgery tell me how much swelling they had and how long it took to go right down? It all looks worse now than before I had it done. Am hoping that all will settle down and that I'm not dealing with new piles/problems :-(

Original poster

niqnet1 · 09/09/2017 09:22

I haven't had the surgery so can't advise but I'd imagine tissues take a while for swelling to resolve after surgery. How are you feeling now?

OP posts:

MakeupLover1 · 09/09/2017 23:45

Hi niqnet1. I'm 11 days post op today and feel that today the swelling may have reduced by a fraction. Even a tiny bit makes me feel better. The wounds are bleeding less too. Having googled a lot, as you do, I've found that it's quite common for it to look as if there are a whole new lot of piles after the op. Usually it turns out to be swelling but people have reported that it can take a long time for it to significantly improve...I wish the surgeons would warn about how bad it could look afterwards!

This certainly hasn't been a walk in the park and I would say to anyone considering it that it can take several weeeks to recover properly. Fingers crossed it will look good after it's fully healed and the swelling has hopefully gone....well, as good as that area can look anyway

MakeupLover1 · 09/09/2017 23:49

Forgot to add, I've also started to soak in a warm bath up to three times a day for 15 mins. I put Dettol in keep the wounds nice and clean. I did this after reading that most people do it post op. Also found lots of different post op advice leaflets from various hospitals all advocating doing the same thing. It helps with pain but also should help reduce swelling due to the increase in circulation around the tissues that the warm water causes.

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