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Original poster

Anal skin tag removal surgery

68 replies

iDontWannaSeeThat · 28/12/2022 16:01

Just recovering at home after my surgery this morning to remove two quite large skin tags. Thought I’d share my journey as I read quite a few horror stories on here beforehand of how painful this surgery can be and despite my consultant trying to warn me off, I was absolutely certain I wanted this done.

I had the surgery under GA at 10am and six hours on I’m not feeling any pain or discomfort, in fact no sensations at all so I’m assuming my local anaesthetic hasn’t worn off yet. I’ve only been for a wee so I’ve yet to discover what a bowel movement will bring. I’m holding off taking any painkillers until I started noticing any discomfort. Will update. So far, absolutely over the moon I had this done and feeling so lucky to have the NHS. Everyone was wonderful and I was so well looked after.

OP posts:
Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 29/12/2022 15:42

Update: it’s been 30 hours since my op and I’ve experienced zero pain or discomfort. I had some bleeding after I went to the loo for a 💩 but it didn’t hurt at all. Very strange. I had to double check they’d actually removed the skin tags because of the lack of sensation. It’s not entirely flat in that area but the main folds have been dealt with so much happier with the appearance. But yeah, I’ve done my daily yoga this morning and been to the park with the kids to is afternoon. So to anyone thinking about having this surgery, whilst some people experience pain not everyone does. My consultant was warning me how painful it would be. Maybe my episiotomy and childbirth tears have somehow numbed that area 😂

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Kittykatmeow · 30/12/2022 23:54

Hello, I’m from Northern Ireland I have the same problem. Please can you tell me the clinic that done it and if the NHS does it. Thank you

Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 31/12/2022 11:23

Hi @Kittykatmeow I’m in London and I had it done on the NHS. I was told the NHS won’t cover it in many cases as it can be considered a cosmetic issue but if there are problems with hygiene or cleanliness then they will consider it. I’d really struggled with threadworms for the past five years and believed it was my skin tags preventing me from getting rid of them completely. So I’d really stress the hygiene issue with your doctor and ask them to refer you to the colorectal department. I was referred a year ago so there was a quite a wait but it’s been worth it. Best of luck.

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Kittykatmeow · 31/12/2022 13:55

Thanks so much. I’ll contact my GP on Monday x

Thesheerrelief · 31/12/2022 16:39

@iDontWannaSeeThat how are you doing now? I've had skin tags in that area for over 10 years and am considering getting them removed

Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 31/12/2022 22:31

@Thesheerrelief I’ve not had any pain at all. I bleed a bit when I go to the loo but there’s no discomfort. I’ve just been told to wash in warm water without soap after bowel movements until fully healed. I’ve been able to get on with things as normal. It’s not all flat around that area which is a bit disappointing but I’m not sure if that’s even possible. Also I imagine there’s some swelling there, but either way I’m so happy to have had it done. It’s so much better than before. No regrets.

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Thesheerrelief · 31/12/2022 22:46

Sounds like it's gone really well for you! I'm going to look into it further - thanks for the info

Padfoot20 · 30/06/2023 21:15

This sounds like it went well! 😊

I had a skin tag removed on Tuesday under general. First day was fine just groggy from the anaesthetic. But then later in the week I've really struggled to go for a number two. Despite drinking loads of water and eating lots of fibre etc. I finally went to the loo and I've been in quite abit of pain since. It's so annoying as it was all going well until I had to go to the toilet
Any tips or anything people have done to ease the pain? I've tried sitz baths and usual pain meds... Not cocodomal as that can make the constipation worse.

Also I've had an overactive bladder since... Not sure if anyone else experienced this?!

mrssunshinexxx · 02/07/2023 08:26

@iDontWannaSeeThat hey I have 4 skin tags and 1 haemorrhoid and I'm on the waiting list to have them removed I'm very nervous and hugely embarrassed about actually having it done I'm sure they said you don't get out to sleep for it so I'm just going to be laying there with someone messing with my arse whilst awake ?!? Arghhhh it makes me want to cancel every time I think about it xx

Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 02/07/2023 11:27

mrssunshinexxx · 02/07/2023 08:26

@iDontWannaSeeThat hey I have 4 skin tags and 1 haemorrhoid and I'm on the waiting list to have them removed I'm very nervous and hugely embarrassed about actually having it done I'm sure they said you don't get out to sleep for it so I'm just going to be laying there with someone messing with my arse whilst awake ?!? Arghhhh it makes me want to cancel every time I think about it xx

I had GA and when I arrived at the hospital I was relieved my surgeon was female until she introduced her young handsome male colleague who would be assisting. I was beyond embarrassed but I absolutely wanted this done and nothing was going to stop me, despite the warning of pain afterwards. You have to remember that they do this all day long and they just don’t care. They’re immune to it. I’m thrilled with how it’s healed. Any swelling has gone and I look and feel normal again. Hope that helps.

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mrssunshinexxx · 02/07/2023 13:10

@iDontWannaSeeThat thank you maybe I miss understood and I'll be having GA? I really would much rather be knocked out!

Padfoot20 · 02/07/2023 20:14

I was knocked out for mine if that helps. I had it on the NHS 5 days ago.

mrssunshinexxx · 02/07/2023 22:42

Thanks @Padfoot20 any regrets?

Padfoot20 · 21/07/2023 19:24

@mrssunshinexxx I wish I was abit more mentally prepared and knowledgeable about the recovery.

I thought it would be a simple freeze of the tag and your free to go. I should have asked the surgeon what to expect.
I've only found out things by doing my own research. I just got given some cocodomal and was told avoid constipation...

My main advice is keep up drinking fluids, eating fibre and have warm sitz baths for the pain. I'm not fully recovered yet so it's difficult to know if I regret having it done as I'm yet to see the outcome as the area is still swollen.

But the surgery itself went very smoothly and I was back at home a few hours after the surgery. Hope all goes well for you.

mrssunshinexxx · 24/07/2023 22:05

Thanks @Padfoot20

jeffersonsam · 25/07/2023 11:09

@iDontWannaSeeThat Thanks for your health-related information to this post, really, I know new thing about skin related things.

redladycake · 24/09/2023 15:13

Thanks for sharing. How is your recovery now? I had this operation 2 days ago and had no idea about the recovery time. Wish I’d done some research before hand.
Operation went smoothly but it feels much the same down there, lumpy and sore, as if nothing has been removed. Scared to look. Fingers crossed that it’s just swelling.

Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 24/09/2023 20:09

Congrats on the surgery. Yes I felt the same and started thinking how silly I was for thinking they could get it smoother down there and of course it was always going to be lumpy, but honestly the change has been dramatic. I’m so happy I had it done. Give yourself the time needed to heal. The body is a remarkable thing. I don’t know how it happened but I look so much more normal now and no skin tags.

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Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 24/09/2023 20:15

@redladycake Congrats on the surgery. Yes I felt the same and started thinking how silly I was for thinking they could get it smoother down there and of course it was always going to be lumpy, but honestly the change has been dramatic. I’m so happy I had it done. Give yourself the time needed to heal. The body is a remarkable thing. I don’t know how it happened but I look so much more normal now and no skin tags.

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Blarn · 24/09/2023 20:32

I have anal skin tags, they upset me so much. I went to the gp about 5 years ago maybe as I assumed hemeroids but she confirmed internal skin tags. They have got more uncomfortable since then. Never exactly painful but uncomfortable enough to be distracting and I am spending longer wiping (with moist ones) before I am clean.

I read all the terrible things about recovery. But was also told that it wouldn't be done on the nhs. I don't get embarrassed about any health stuff but I do this.

Lauren342 · 19/11/2023 19:36

I’m so glad I found this thread. Been reading this thread for the past few weeks none stop as I have my surgery in 2 days time. I’ve never been so nervous in my whole entire life I’m absolutely dreading it. Reading people’s experiences has made me feel even more worried and nervous but also there are some which have give me hope.

I tried to prepare for this surgery by taking stool softeners 7 days before. However, they’ve done nothing but make me constipated and I’m passing the hardest stools ever. I never really get constipated so now I’m stressed because it’s sore to go to the toilet now and my surgery is in 2 days. Shouldn’t it have done the opposite :( I’ve increased my fruit and veg intake although i east quite a lot anyway.

im not sure if many people are still active on this thread but how long until you can start to eat fairly normal again? When can I drink alcohol? This isn’t a priority whatsoever as I’ll give up alcohol for as long as it takes but it’s almost Christmas and I don’t want to start drinking too early.

also, I’m a cleaner so my job is very physically but I don’t want to be out of work for more than 2 weeks as 1. I hate sitting around doing nothing, 2. Sick pay is not great! However, if I have to take longer off for it to heal I will. Fingers crossed I don’t.

kind of gutted my date has fell close to Christmas but very grateful I’m getting this surgery as I’ve been on the waiting list for 4 years now.

Would love to hear some tips from others (although there are lots of tips on here I’ve read and taken note of), and also I’d love to hear from people who are fully healed and are very glad they had the operation (I need some hope). I will be out to sleep and won’t be having stitches. Just an open wound.

Original poster
iDontWannaSeeThat · 19/11/2023 23:10

Hi there, I’m vegan so I didn’t change my diet in any way before or after. I also was fine drinking alcohol. I was so shocked by how fine I was after the surgery. I kept waiting for the pain but it never came. I was doing yoga the next day (probably shouldn’t have but I felt fine). Best of luck with your op. The anticipation of it beforehand is always the worst. It will all be sorted very soon and you can get on and enjoy Christmas.

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mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 07:59

Good luck @Lauren342 do you have hemmoroids too or just skin tags ? Please report back how it goes x

Bluerisotto · 20/11/2023 08:36

Thank you for this thread!

I had haemorrhoid surgery a few years ago, they stapled about 8 internal haemorrhoids but they didn't remove the external tags. Said that would be a separate operation and I'd feel like I was sitting on razor blades afterwards.
It's taken me another few years to be able to face a second op.

Saw my GP and I emphasised the hygiene issue, especially with frequent loose stools. She agreed especially given I apparently have a skin condition near my perineum which will be worsened by wiping. 🤷
If she hadn't agreed I was ready to go private somewhere.

I'm now waiting for a hospital appointment and am really hoping they do it under local anaesthetic. I know it will be embarassing but at least I won't have all the impacts of anaesthetic and needing to find someone to stay with me overnight.

A friend said she had this done at the same hospital, under local, and she doesn't remember any significant pain afterwards, so I'm hopeful.

Lauren342 · 20/11/2023 20:08

These kind of experiences make me feel better about it. I feel like the lucky few don’t experience much pain at all, then some are struggling 8 weeks on. Fingers crossed! Thanks for your response

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