Rectal/Anal Skin Tags

[Betrayed Body]

Has anybody gone through rectal/anal skin tag removal?  

I had one removed by my doctor in his office.  He used lidocaine (6 shots that were unbelievable painful) to numb the area and cut it off and cauterized the area.  

I'm having a rough time - I feel like I have the worst hemorroid flare up going on right now.  I'm taking colace and fiber supplement, drinking plenty of water and began using the Desitin a few days before they recommended I start.  I dread going to the bathroom, but I go regularily.  I can't wipe so I'm taking showers and bath several times a day.  

Does anybody have any similar experiences or suggestions to offer?  

[psych90]

Wow Tiffers08 - you're brave! I thought of doing that myself but was too scared.

I'm going to get mine removed via surgery tomorrow. So thanks for all the positive comments about doing it because I've put it off for about 7 years but just hate it so much that I want it gone and things back to normal.

As they say, no pain, no gain, so I'm being brave, have my salt bath ready and fingers crossed it all goes well.

[KelWay]

I totally agree with you!! Although the procedures can be painful it has been almost three years since my surgery and I am very glad I did it!!! And would totally do it again.

[KelWay]

Hey they seen all the comments on Tag and Hemorrhoid Surgery....... I had full blown Hemorrhoid surgery in 2009. I had five thrombus internal hemorrhoids and four or five external Hemorrhoids along with several tags. My surgeon said in twenty-five years of doing these types of surgery's I was one of his worst cases he had ever seen..... Long story short he removed all but about two internal and two external. Up until the surgery I had dealt with these issues for 19 miserable years. I decided to have the surgery and although it was very painful I would do it all over again. I honestly believe if you have the surgery it will give you years of relief. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions I might be able to answer. My name is Wayne. My email is ***@****.  

[lizholla]

Update - just had my large tag removed. The doctor gave me a numbing shot, then cut and cauterized most of the tag off. The area is not sore, as I'm still numb, and it isn't bleeding - just black where the skin was burnt. I was given antibiotic cream and was told specifically not to use hydrogen peroxide on it, but just soap and water. He seemed to think that healing would be no problem and expected that I would be able to go to work today and do everything pretty much as I normally do. I am more skeptical, however, as I think I'll probably have pain once the shot wears off. All-in-all, I am so happy that I went to this dermatologist! He only charged me $90 to have a precancerous spot frozen off and to remove the tag. I will be paying another $90 because he thought it would be wise to have the tag biopsied. Pretty affordable - totally worth it!

[lizholla]

I'm going today to have my dermatologist remove a larger anal skin tag. He's going to numb, cut, and cauterize. They seem to feel like it will be a casual, routine procedure. I'll update as to how it goes. I tried to string trick and it worked on a small part of my skin tag, but when I tried to actually remove the tag, it only became swollen and irritated. After about 5 tries at the string trick, I'd say it is great for small tags, but can be a huge pain - literally - if you try it on large tags. My problem was that no matter how tightly I tied the string.... it was not tight enough to cut off the blood flow to a large tag. I did cut into the skin with the string - but still, could not cease blood flow, which is what causes the tag to die. My procedure is supposed to be short and will cost $100. I think dermatologists may be the way to go on this cost-wise. My local colorectal surgeon was going to charge over $900 all in all for an exam prior, and then surgery later. Ouch! I'll post as to how it goes and what the healing process is like.

[anon916161]

Just wanted to throw in my experience after reading many horror stories here pre-op and almost canceling my appointment!  I had two skin tags removed two days ago (originated from a fissure; no issues with them other than being embarrassed and concerned about hygiene). The procedure wasn't pleasant (ever have total strangers TAPE your butt cheeks open? no? good!) but not painful (it did take two rounds of shots to achieve total numbness though). My doctor practices "distraction" method so I was getting a calf massage while I was getting the numbing shots (which was the worst of it)...brilliant, actually! Snip snip and some cauterizing and I was done.

Went home dreading the local wearing off, as my doc had prescribed both high mg Motrin and Vicodin. I have yet to need a single pain killer.  NO pain! Was in a state of panic about my first bowl movement (ate nothing but broth and prune juice all day)...also no pain! No swelling, nothing. I was brave and took a hand mirror down there yesterday...looks normal!  No tags, no gaping flesh wounds.

I'm hopping in the shower after BMs (the sitz bath just grossed me out), using the blow dryer after, packing with loose gauze several times a day.  Very little drainage and no blood. A little itching today, but I think that means I'm healing. Taking Colace twice a day also helps keep the BM soft.

So...there are some good experiences! And I am SO glad to not have those nasty flaps! I would do this again in a heartbeat.