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Original poster

Anal skin tag removal - time off work?

37 replies

Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 18:40

Hello, sorry for the unpleasant topic. I'm having a large anal skin tag removed under general anaesthetic soon. I'm not really sure what to expect - will I need any days off work afterwards, or will I be fine to carry on an normal?

I've read quite a few contradictory accounts - some people saying the pain was intense and some saying it's just a minor inconvenience almost.

OP posts:
DeeKitch · 02/09/2025 18:51

Ask the surgeon or nurse - good luck 🩷

caramac04 · 02/09/2025 18:53

You’ll need a minimum of 24 hours after GA and cannot drive.

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/09/2025 18:55

I had mine off about 5 weeks ago and I'm off for another 10 days now.

Turns out though it was an external hemmorroid and they also found an internal one which they banded too.

Am I off for longer than I have to be? Probably, but I cannot sit on an office chair or in the car for longer than about an hour so I am no use in my work.

rbe78 · 02/09/2025 19:01

Sorry to hijack - are those having this surgery doing it privately, or through the NHS?

Augga · 02/09/2025 19:20

I'd plan for some time off work. I've had this done a couple of times. I found the first week or two very painful and was pretty loaded with codeine. You have to open your bowels, of course, and it hurts.
Sorry for tmi. Get your laxatives in. My hospital recommended lactulose, but did not supply it. This can make bowel movements unpredictable, but trust me, you want to keep it soft. I'd also recommend a sitz bath and/or one of those bottles for rinsing your rear after. Loo paper is not something you want to use for anything but gently patting dry. I don't want to scare you and I don't regret having mine done, but it really, really helps being prepared! First time I had mine done, I wasn't, as the hospital provided very little information about what to expect. I did not make that mistake a second time.
Good luck :)

Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:39

rbe78 · 02/09/2025 19:01

Sorry to hijack - are those having this surgery doing it privately, or through the NHS?

I am, yes. I had repeatedly read on here that the NHS wouldn't do it, but as soon as I saw the GP they suggested removal straight away without any fuss. I think that might be because it's really big - sorry, TMI! I've been on the waiting list for about 9 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:41

caramac04 · 02/09/2025 18:53

You’ll need a minimum of 24 hours after GA and cannot drive.

Thank you - I was thinking about afterwards,.like a sick note for a few days.

Also @DeeKitch, thank you. I have a pre-op next week, so I was just hoping for some information before then because I'm a worrier!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:42

Augga · 02/09/2025 19:20

I'd plan for some time off work. I've had this done a couple of times. I found the first week or two very painful and was pretty loaded with codeine. You have to open your bowels, of course, and it hurts.
Sorry for tmi. Get your laxatives in. My hospital recommended lactulose, but did not supply it. This can make bowel movements unpredictable, but trust me, you want to keep it soft. I'd also recommend a sitz bath and/or one of those bottles for rinsing your rear after. Loo paper is not something you want to use for anything but gently patting dry. I don't want to scare you and I don't regret having mine done, but it really, really helps being prepared! First time I had mine done, I wasn't, as the hospital provided very little information about what to expect. I did not make that mistake a second time.
Good luck :)

Edited

This is really helpful, thank you. Were you given a sick note after the surgery?

OP posts:
Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:44

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/09/2025 18:55

I had mine off about 5 weeks ago and I'm off for another 10 days now.

Turns out though it was an external hemmorroid and they also found an internal one which they banded too.

Am I off for longer than I have to be? Probably, but I cannot sit on an office chair or in the car for longer than about an hour so I am no use in my work.

Oh that sounds like it was actually a bigger operation than you thought after you went in for it. I am a bit worried that might be the case for me too. Were you given a sick note after the op, or did you have to go to your GP afterwards? Thank you for your help.

OP posts:
Augga · 02/09/2025 19:47

Yes I was offered a sick note, I can't remember details though, it was a while ago.

Limehawkmoth · 02/09/2025 19:49

caramac04 · 02/09/2025 18:53

You’ll need a minimum of 24 hours after GA and cannot drive.

I think for most people it needs 48 hours. Some people can recover quicker, but nhs guidance is normally 24-48 hours .

certainly, I take 48 hours to just to stop feeling very sleepy, and frankly abit depressed! And I’ve had lots of GAs over my 63 years. Even at my fittest, I only ever got back to work in 48 hours ( after key hole surgery for gallbladder)

if anyone is using equipment , standing, doing physical work it’s going to be 48 hours.

some jobs don’t want open wounds …so not until stitches removed and dressing removed. Anywhere where hygiene is mandated ( pharma/ food manufacturing, and I assume working in restaurants/cafe. Particularly a wound in that area. So that could add to time off.

id be telling work at least 48 hours, then I’ll call and update at end of day 2, dep nding on pain etc.

also think about short days phased return…I imagine sitting in office chair for 8 hours while it’s healing isn’t going to be good. Ask GP for fitnesss note to request this.

AnotherVice · 02/09/2025 19:51

I was in hospital last week and the lady next to me was having this done (bloody useless curtains!). Doctor asked her if she needed a sick note and based on her job got a week but could have been more if needed. Doctor also said just buy lactulose at the chemist but then gave her some to take home anyway.

mrssunshinexxx · 02/09/2025 19:52

I had treatment under Ga in April it was extremely painful when I came round I was screaming. I’m not a wimp have had 3 emergency sections , car crash broke my femur , pelvic and fractured my spine, also lost my mum very suddenly when heavily pregnant , so I know pain well.
this pain took me by absolute surprise oh and the best bit it hasn’t even worked, had loads of flare ups since

Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:54

AnotherVice · 02/09/2025 19:51

I was in hospital last week and the lady next to me was having this done (bloody useless curtains!). Doctor asked her if she needed a sick note and based on her job got a week but could have been more if needed. Doctor also said just buy lactulose at the chemist but then gave her some to take home anyway.

That's really good to know, thank you!

I'm a teacher, so it's pretty full on, walking around and arguing with teenagers 😂 so it's not the sort of job you can do if you are in pain, on strong pain meds etc, and there's obviously no flexibility.

OP posts:
Augga · 02/09/2025 19:57

I'd say you'll likely need at least a week off. Sitting isn't comfortable, walking isn't comfortable, plus the loo issue. On top of this, you might be on opiate painkillers for a little while.

A pp mentioned stitches. I don't think that's usually used for this kind of surgery. I personally didn't have any to be removed, but I did have a check up after a few weeks.

KindnessIsKey123 · 02/09/2025 20:08

Sorry if this is a tangent, but make sure you know about your work sickness policy. I had a general anaesthetic about six months ago, returned to work too soon, and then took another few weeks off.

Because this meant it was in theory 2 lots of sick leave (and I’d been ill running up to the operation) it was my third period off that year and I was put on a stage one sickness.

I wish I’d just taken one large chunk of four weeks after recover from the surgery. So make sure you look into that.

You’re probably just best taking one long period of now to recover, rather than going back to too early like me.

SouthWamses · 02/09/2025 20:15

Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:54

That's really good to know, thank you!

I'm a teacher, so it's pretty full on, walking around and arguing with teenagers 😂 so it's not the sort of job you can do if you are in pain, on strong pain meds etc, and there's obviously no flexibility.

Show quote history

In that case I would take at least a week. If you need a bowel movement you don’t want to rush things - straining is a big no no - so you need to have time. Plus being on your feet all day the first week after a GA for anything is a bit much. You may need a second week but hopefully not.

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/09/2025 20:20

Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 19:41

Thank you - I was thinking about afterwards,.like a sick note for a few days.

Also @DeeKitch, thank you. I have a pre-op next week, so I was just hoping for some information before then because I'm a worrier!

Show quote history

The surgeon gave me an automatic two week sick note. My extensions have been via the GP.

Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 20:26

KindnessIsKey123 · 02/09/2025 20:08

Sorry if this is a tangent, but make sure you know about your work sickness policy. I had a general anaesthetic about six months ago, returned to work too soon, and then took another few weeks off.

Because this meant it was in theory 2 lots of sick leave (and I’d been ill running up to the operation) it was my third period off that year and I was put on a stage one sickness.

I wish I’d just taken one large chunk of four weeks after recover from the surgery. So make sure you look into that.

You’re probably just best taking one long period of now to recover, rather than going back to too early like me.

That's a really good point, thank you. I was once off with a sickness bug for a couple of days, then went back in and vomited before 9am so left again.This then counted as two absences because I'd returned to the building for less than an hour, and triggered a sickness support plan 🤦🏻‍♀️.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 20:27

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/09/2025 20:20

The surgeon gave me an automatic two week sick note. My extensions have been via the GP.

Show quote history

Thank you. I hope you are starting to feel much better soon.

OP posts:
mamagogo1 · 02/09/2025 20:27

Dh’s was done on a Friday pm, back at work on Monday, apart from lying on the sofa on his side watching tv no particular signs he had even had it done, was private (insurance)

Original poster
Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 20:38

mamagogo1 · 02/09/2025 20:27

Dh’s was done on a Friday pm, back at work on Monday, apart from lying on the sofa on his side watching tv no particular signs he had even had it done, was private (insurance)

Oh wow, that really is different. Until now the consensus was that I would need time off, but I've read other statements like this.

I hope if I do need to be off that they just give me an automatic sick note, as my school wouldn't be able to argue with that, rather than me calling in daily which is more awkward.

OP posts:
SqueamishHamish · 02/09/2025 20:42

I had this done 4 weeks ago. Two tags removed under general with NHS. I was told to expect pain the day after and also got a sick note for a week. I didn't have any significant pain. The wound wept for a while and it can be nippy having a bowel movement even now. I don't think I am completely healed yet. Still pretty lumpy to be honest but the surgeon did say it was going to be. I am glad I had a week off.

Thissickbeat · 02/09/2025 20:43

Bear in mind that if it hurts to poop you must keep recovering. You can't rush around and risk undoing the procedure.
I had an anal fissure repaired and only had three weeks off. Looking back I should of had at least 4 weeks. I was in pain and starving myself as I didn't want to risk going to the toilet too much. (Well done me 🤦‍♀️).

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/09/2025 20:47

Gertieblue · 02/09/2025 20:27

Thank you. I hope you are starting to feel much better soon.

Show quote history

It's not been too bad, but I dosed up heavily in the first week. I also started Movicol a few days before surgery which I'd highly recommend.

I thought it was just a skin tag but the surgeon said they already knew it was a hemmorroid from the appointment last year which was news to me on the morning if surgery 😂. The internal one I didn't know about until afterwards, but they had said they would check for and treat whatever they found when under GA.

I'm still sore pooping tbh, and it's still an open wound albeit it's closing slowly. My coccyx still feels bruised. I stopped the Movicol last week which was a mistake and I'm back on it now.

I'll be back at work in 12 days or so, but may be on a graduated return depending on how long I can sit for.

If you're a teacher, I'd plan for several weeks off and don't rush back.