Anal skin tag surgery… any advice/experiences?

[AnonymousX7]

Hi all,

After years of battling with my own insecurities and health issues I’ve finally been seen by a colorectal surgeon in regards to a pesky skin tag/bit of excessive skin that I suffered from being a child with severe constipation. This tag has cause fissures, hours wiping trying to get clean on the toilet, avoiding being intimate and bleeding after wiping.

I’ve put this off lots and have finally been offered surgery and should be getting a date/confirming follow-ups soon. I’m due to be under general anaesthetic where an excision will be made to cut the excess skin off and left open to heal. I was told I could opt for local but local needles cause the area to swell and can be difficult to dictate how much is taken away… also the fact that I’ll have my legs dangling in the air. The surgeon said I’ll have a follow up after 5/6 weeks so healing should be around that time but I’m terrified after all of the horror stories and pain I’ve read on here. I was told I’d be able to continue exercise after 3/4 weeks but with healing stories on here it seems that it’s way longer.

Does anyone have any advice or experience who’s had the surgery and how they healed okay? I love being physically fit and am paranoid about my future with fitness and healing. I also don’t know if I’ll be given an enema before I go under?

Anything would be appreciated so much, thanks.

I can’t advise re: surgery sorry! But what was the process like to be referred?
My bottom is awful, like 4 deflated piles! One of them being pretty large. Hard to ever feel clean. But it’s so embarrassing I haven’t plucked up the courage to go to a doctor.

@aliceband1 I originally started out with the NHS, I had a phone appointment because of covid times and I saw a lady doctor after. She took a look and was really nice, didn’t actually give me much of a diagnosis but referred me to colorectal. I waited around 5 months for an appointment but ended up cancelling as I was afraid of the prospect of surgery and felt I could manage… how wrong was I. I knew it was something I’ve forever been embarrassed about and spent hours on the toilet wiping to get clean with bleeding following because of irritation.

Anyway I eventually opted to go down the private route because I knew it would take months to get an appointment again if I could even see my GP. I did some online research of private colorectal specialists because I knew they would have experience of dealing with that area and booked my consultation. Cost me £200 but I think if it is something you can afford then it’s better because you don’t wait around with the anxiety. In fact, this surgeon was brilliant… so reassuring and the chaperone in the private hospital was ace. He gave me options that was with excess skin from piles and constipation your only option is to either deal with them using things like Sudocrem or have them surgically removed. He sent me away and I’ve rung to accept the quote… still waiting for my appointment but waiting times are way less than NHS… strangely some others have had cheaper quotes for less than what I am suffering with but maybe the difference in local/general anaesthetic as well as private places is the deal but I don’t want to be waiting around if I’m honest I want it over and done with as like you I struggle with hygiene.

The doctor told me that if I would’ve took my referral they wouldn’t have offered me surgery as the NHS no longer funds skin tag excision unless there is extremely special circumstances. He said he’s seen people with really big excess skin tags that the NHS has turned away because of their funding cuts. So, if I was you if you can afford to I would save up and look privately, that way too you are going directly to a colorectal specialist who sees issues like this all of the time so it isn’t anything to worry about. I’d say this if you are willing to have them removed as that is the only option to get rid. Honestly, I was so over feeling down about it and I know I’d rather get it sorted than a future of the same toileting habits. I know it doesn’t prevent them and there’s no guarantees but I’m in a position where I feel anything would be better than how I currently suffer!

My daughter had this surgery. It was absolutely fine. Bit sore to start but not really painful. The first poo was a bit scary but as long as you don't allow yourself to become constipated it is fine. In fact, they will give you laxatives to keep everything soft for the first few weeks. It healed really quickly. Please don't be worried about it.

@Lovemydaxie I can’t even begin to tell you how at ease this has made me feel, thank you! I’ve spent all week since my confirmation worrying and stressed about having to have my life on halt for months and possibly longer.

Did your daughter undergo general anaesthetic? Has she found the surgery worthwhile?

OP, yes she had it done under general anaesthetic and she hasn't looked back. It really wasn't at all as bad as the thought of it. She didn't need an enema or anything like that beforehand and the surgery was very quick. No stitches, just left to heal. The important thing is not to get constipated, like I said, but they will give you laxatives and advise you about that. When you need your first poo, just take it gently and, again, if everything is soft it shouldn't be a problem. Just be sure to keep everything nice and clean with daily showers and don't use any harsh soaps. The nurses should be able to advise on that as well. Good luck, I am sure you will be really pleased you have had it done.

@Lovemydaxie thank you for this advice! Really appreciate this, definitely made me feel more at ease about the procedure.

[quote AnonymousX7]@aliceband1 I originally started out with the NHS, I had a phone appointment because of covid times and I saw a lady doctor after. She took a look and was really nice, didn’t actually give me much of a diagnosis but referred me to colorectal. I waited around 5 months for an appointment but ended up cancelling as I was afraid of the prospect of surgery and felt I could manage… how wrong was I. I knew it was something I’ve forever been embarrassed about and spent hours on the toilet wiping to get clean with bleeding following because of irritation.

Anyway I eventually opted to go down the private route because I knew it would take months to get an appointment again if I could even see my GP. I did some online research of private colorectal specialists because I knew they would have experience of dealing with that area and booked my consultation. Cost me £200 but I think if it is something you can afford then it’s better because you don’t wait around with the anxiety. In fact, this surgeon was brilliant… so reassuring and the chaperone in the private hospital was ace. He gave me options that was with excess skin from piles and constipation your only option is to either deal with them using things like Sudocrem or have them surgically removed. He sent me away and I’ve rung to accept the quote… still waiting for my appointment but waiting times are way less than NHS… strangely some others have had cheaper quotes for less than what I am suffering with but maybe the difference in local/general anaesthetic as well as private places is the deal but I don’t want to be waiting around if I’m honest I want it over and done with as like you I struggle with hygiene.

The doctor told me that if I would’ve took my referral they wouldn’t have offered me surgery as the NHS no longer funds skin tag excision unless there is extremely special circumstances. He said he’s seen people with really big excess skin tags that the NHS has turned away because of their funding cuts. So, if I was you if you can afford to I would save up and look privately, that way too you are going directly to a colorectal specialist who sees issues like this all of the time so it isn’t anything to worry about. I’d say this if you are willing to have them removed as that is the only option to get rid. Honestly, I was so over feeling down about it and I know I’d rather get it sorted than a future of the same toileting habits. I know it doesn’t prevent them and there’s no guarantees but I’m in a position where I feel anything would be better than how I currently suffer![/quote]
Thanks so much for all that info! So how much is it costing you total if you don’t mind me asking?
Are you having to take loads of time off work?
Not surprised about not getting it on NHS, it’s on its knees :(

@aliceband1 As much as I respect and am grateful for the NHS, the pandemic has really took its toll on it and the cut backs have people waiting who need life saving treatment. It’s sad to see.

I’m fortunate that I have savings but I’m surprised by my quote, I’m paying just under 2k which it probably will be 2k including my consultation £200 fee. I was a bit took back by that as the surgeon said 1k mark and I’ve spoke to someone on here who have paid much less 1,600/900 etc. but I think it depends what private hospital, whether you have general or local and whether it is done through a colorectal. I think some may have had private insurance which is why it brought it down? I know most people have opted for local but the surgeon told me your bottom doesn’t like the local injections and operating with that in can be difficult because it swells so it’s hard to judge what to take away safely. They do inject local after it is done to help with the pain and it’s something I want to get done properly. On my quote it just says “anal skin lesion removal” so yeah I’m curious as to how much removal that is at the moment.

Also quite shocking is that I think he is only removing the excess skin at the bottom even though I have a little bit at the top and he said nothing about removing that so I’m curious as to how much extra I would be paying to have the other area sorted? I think that is something I may ask him when they get in touch with me again. Not sure whether that would require 2 surgeries either. Don’t want to ring back up because I know I’ll most likely get charged an arm and a leg for a follow up just to discuss it so I’m just going to wait until I next see him.

Hello @AnonymousX7 I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you had the surgery done, and if so, how it went? I hope things are much better for you now. I'm having similar toilet issues to the ones you describe but haven't yet been brave enough to see my GP about it. Daft I know.

@ohyouknowwhatshername I've just had similar surgery for internal prolapse piles 🤢 the recovery the first 2 weeks was very painful, probably worse recovery than both my c sections! But.... 5 weeks on and I'm a new woman, definitely see your GP

Thank you @ellieboolou I will.

@AnonymousX7 Hello sorry I’m late to the show. I was wondering if you went through with it and could tell me your experience please? I’m due to have mine tomorrow and I’m so scared. I’ve put it off since august! Your description was the same as mine. I’m going under a general anaesthetic too and they’re leaving it open to heal. Thank you

@aliceband1 Did you end up getting the surgery? How was it?