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Original poster

Experiences with anal skin tag removal on the NHS? (GA, no stitches)

9 replies

Anon5260 · 10/12/2025 12:23

Hi all,

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who’s had an anal skin tag removed on the NHS, specifically under general anaesthetic with the wound left open (no stitches) as I’ve been told that’s what I’m likely to be offered.

What was your recovery timeline? Any complications at all? Do you think it was worth it/would you do it again?

Also, I’m quite active. I like weightlifting and going on runs, so I’m wondering how long I’d have to take off from these kinds of activities.

I’m a bit nervous about the recovery and would really appreciate hearing how other people found it.

Thanks!

OP posts:
polkadotpixie · 11/12/2025 05:52

I’ve had it done twice. I was sore but back at work in 2 days both times. Can’t comment on the weightlifting though!

Original poster
Anon5260 · 11/12/2025 08:54

polkadotpixie · 11/12/2025 05:52

I’ve had it done twice. I was sore but back at work in 2 days both times. Can’t comment on the weightlifting though!

Ah, that genuinely doesn’t sound too bad at all. I kept hearing stories on here about people who were still out of work 3 and 4 weeks later, and I wouldn’t want to be out of work/normal routine that long. But 2 days is no bother! How long until you were fully healed? Also, how long did you have to wait on the NHS?

OP posts:
polkadotpixie · 12/12/2025 23:46

I was fully healed in about 10 days the first time but also had banding of internal haemorrhoids which was much more painful than the anal skin tag removal, the second time without banding, I was healed in about 7/8 days

I didn’t wait very long at all but without outing myself too much, I work in exactly the right department to have this done! I’d say our patients on average wait about 6 months, less if they are fit and well and suitable for day surgery

Original poster
Anon5260 · 13/12/2025 01:02

polkadotpixie · 12/12/2025 23:46

I was fully healed in about 10 days the first time but also had banding of internal haemorrhoids which was much more painful than the anal skin tag removal, the second time without banding, I was healed in about 7/8 days

I didn’t wait very long at all but without outing myself too much, I work in exactly the right department to have this done! I’d say our patients on average wait about 6 months, less if they are fit and well and suitable for day surgery

Thanks for sharing. 10 days is really not bad at all, I can live with that. I’m regretting putting the surgery off for two years now 😆 I’m young and healthy so should be eligible for same day surgery I imagine, if you’re talking about the NHS?

OP posts:
polkadotpixie · 15/12/2025 07:15

Yes, NHS. I’m early 40s and mildly asthmatic and was easily fit for day surgery. If you’re generally fit and well you almost certainly will be, unless your BMI is >40 in which case they sometimes err on the side of caution and book an overnight stay

Original poster
Anon5260 · 15/12/2025 09:46

polkadotpixie · 15/12/2025 07:15

Yes, NHS. I’m early 40s and mildly asthmatic and was easily fit for day surgery. If you’re generally fit and well you almost certainly will be, unless your BMI is >40 in which case they sometimes err on the side of caution and book an overnight stay

Cool, that’s good to know. Hopefully it will be a fairly quick process then! I would hope so anyway, as I put off having the surgery for a year and a half due to the ANP strongly advising me against it. I have my initial assessment in January so hopefully I won’t have to wait too long after that. Thanks for answering all my questions by the way :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Anon5260 · 16/12/2025 08:41

polkadotpixie · 12/12/2025 23:46

I was fully healed in about 10 days the first time but also had banding of internal haemorrhoids which was much more painful than the anal skin tag removal, the second time without banding, I was healed in about 7/8 days

I didn’t wait very long at all but without outing myself too much, I work in exactly the right department to have this done! I’d say our patients on average wait about 6 months, less if they are fit and well and suitable for day surgery

I think I might have an internal haemorrhoid as well and I was just wondering, can you tell the surgeon to band any internal haemorrhoids should they find any whilst doing the skin tag removal? It makes sense to get them both done at the same time if possible.

OP posts:
polkadotpixie · 17/12/2025 08:44

No problem 😊 You can certainly ask them to band any haemorrhoids, if you are having rectal bleeding though, they are likely to want you to have a flexi sigmoidoscopy before your surgery and they may do the banding then if you want

Original poster
Anon5260 · 17/12/2025 13:16

polkadotpixie · 17/12/2025 08:44

No problem 😊 You can certainly ask them to band any haemorrhoids, if you are having rectal bleeding though, they are likely to want you to have a flexi sigmoidoscopy before your surgery and they may do the banding then if you want

Fortunately, I’m experienced any rectal bleeding. Not properly anyway, the only bleeding I get it is if I catch the skin tag which sometimes causes it to cut and bleed a little. No other bleeding besides that though. Cheers for the info.

OP posts:
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