Anal skin tag surgery

[Tine2u]

Hi,
Five days ago I had 2 skin tags removed under general anaesthetic. These were situated on the anal area and really bothered me. They are there since after giving birth and with all the bowel problems (ulcerative colitis) it started to really b in the way of normality for me.
I went in hospital thinking the day after I'm up and running. I TOTALLY under estimated this!! This is the 5th day I'm flat out in pain with a bleeding weeping anal area. Only had 1 bowel movement after a laxative (which was agony and in contrast with my normal medication) I only have 3 stitches and it looks much better (apart from some swelling which will go down). I can't walk or stand long and even with sanitary pads i still stain my clothes? I wash with watere after using the toilet, I've tried a salt bath and I've tried sleeping naked to 'air' the area. I also use Preperation H after cleaning the area but nothing soothes or stops the bleeding. Please has anybody got some similar experience or can offer any useful suggestions? Many thanks!!

[daenyt]

Has anyone else had a wound that smells?

I had an anal skin tag removed a week ago and although I have minimal pain and am only bleeding a bit after bowel movements, my wound seems to be smelling quite gross. Not sure whether this is a natural part of the healing process or a sign of infection (one website says that wounds can give off smells as they heal, another says that wounds smelling is bad)?

[AnnieOgier1987]

I am seeing the surgeon about the skin tag on the outside of my anus in April quite looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time. I've had the skin tag since October and after I went to the toilet I noticed a lump later on I was in agony for one day used hermmoid creams helped a bit,started getting itching after a while saw doc she wasn't sure if it was a genital wart or skin tag. I had to go to the sexual health clinic which was embarrassing I had to go through my sexual history and then they had a look the following week it was confirmed as a skin fold. I asked if I could have it removed the consultant said to his understanding yes and to go back to my doctor to be referred to see a surgeon. Booked the appt to see the female doctor the one who referred me to sexual health clinic ,she then had a look at the skin tag again and I told her what the consultant said she said I don't think the NHS will remove it he's just a sexual health consultant I wasn't happy felt like she wasted my time and didn't want to help me this was November. So I decided to see another GP at my docs surgery I saw a male doc on 12th January, I told him how much itchiness it causes me the constant soreness I'm in that it affects my mental health I can't sit down fit long & I have trouble going to the toilet he listened and examined me as soon as I was getting dressed he told me he'd have to refer me to see about getting it removed which was very helpful he actually listened and wanted to help. Friday just gone I had a phone call from a hospital I had to choose Ashford or Canterbury so I chose Canterbury as its near me since I live in Deal, the appt was to see the surgeon and it's been booked for 4th April. What will i expect from the appt and do you know if I'll have it cut out that same day or another day?

[tjvane]

I had my anal skin tag removed tuesday morning.  It is now wednesday night.  After reading all the horror stories here I almost cancelled my surgery.  But I am really glad I did.  I am fortunate as so far I am just uncomfortable, but not in any pain.  Maybe twice today I got a twinge, and a bit of itching, but nothing I can't handle.  I am really surprised as my surgeon warned me I'd have a long recovery.  There are a few things that I think may have helped.  Firstly I think he cauterized the wound.  I had a spinal and was therefore awake and heard him ask for the machine to be set up and then saw them use it.  He also did not tell me I had stitches.  Secondly he added a lot of local freezing to my anus.  I know this because he kept asking the anesthesiologist if he could use more.  I have been using a sitz bath a couple times a day and using flushable wipes with aloe in them.  I am also taking two fibre supplements and so far haven't had any pain with bowel movements.  I hope things continue to go well.  I also had a sphincterotomy for an anal fissure.

[Hev1702]

We’re yours cauterised  internal?

[LakeLady179]

I had my surgery for a skin tag 7 days ago. I have a very high tolerance for pain and need to be honest in telling you this hurts more then when I had a Hysterectomy. I am following a strict diet to keep stools soft, and they are. When having a bowel movement even with soft stool the pain is unbearable. I am also having spasms for hours afterward that are unreal. I too had a tag that looked horrible and why I decided to have this surgery. If I would have known it would be this painful I would have NEVER had it done. I am hoping in time the symptoms will subside and I can get back to normal, but I feel this will be a long recovery process.  My advice to you 7 days into recovery, do not have it done unless it is bothering you. Tags are common, more people have them then you probably realize.

[Wlau382]

Hi there, I don't know if you had the surgery or if your still considering it. I will say i had 2 massive skin tags and banding done at the same time and now the swelling has gone down I am happy with the results, I have to say that if I get skin tags again I will not be having them removed again as I don't reel the pain I an going  through was worth it. Having said that there are plenty of people whom have not had the pain I am suffering. Think carefully and if emotionally it will help you then yes do it, it looks so much better. Please be prepared for pain after. I am almost at 3 weeks recovery and still in pain.

Good luck for what you decide.

[Wlau382]

I had internal and external banding and removal of 2 massive skin tags, the operation was almost 3 weeks ago. My story so far.

I was looking forward to having my butt hole back again and couldn't wait for the surgery, they did saynitnwould be a painful recovery so I thought in was prepared, how wrong was I.

The first week i was in agony, I have tramadol, ibuprofen, lactose and paracetamol. I called 111 on 5 ocassions and a&e twice. The only thing that calmed the pain was the gas and air I got at hospital, which didn't last long. I got to the point of no sleep very quickly and ended up taking so many painkillers I knocked myself out and probably took to much. The second week eased slightly and I was able to sleep 3 hours atva time. The most difficult thing for me was never being able to get comfy and the stabbing pain always being there.

I'm now on week 3 and I'm still in pain, though now its just a constant ache which I can't get rid of but I can sleep though with painkillers before bed.

Pooing - I thought to poo would be painful, but for me the pooing was not too bad, it was the wiping and then pain afterwards.

My swelling was bad but that has subsided and looking a lot better.

All I hope for now is for the pain to go.

Oh and for those who don't have an infection, a&e are useless, they gave me gas and air until my pain went from a 10 to a four, then they just put me on a ward rolling around in pain as they took the gas and air away, then left me until I screamed in pain, then they asked me to keep it down as I was on a ward. Needless to say I walked out to go and roll around at home.

This was/is so painful I would suggest seriously considering it before you go ahead.

Please go away pain:-(