My experience with anal skin tag surgery

I know this is really really late but I'll still go on, haha. I had an anal skin tag removed about three weeks ago so it could be done before school started again. And in my experience it wasn't bad at all! Apart from the (like someone said before) hangover-like effect that lasted a few hours for me after the operation. I couldn't eat anything either for those few hours because I would just vomit it back up but I didn't really get hungry for some reason anyway. And I got no stitches back there either so I'm just guessing that mine wasn't as big as others. I was told to fill a bathtub with water (enough for my butt to sit in at least) and add a handful of normal table salt after every bowel movement or at least twice a day. Then you need to sit in the bath for 20 mins each. I did it once a day but it really did help heal my skin and surprisingly didn't hurt or sting. And the other one was to eat high fibre foods and drink 3L of water a day which I did for about three days before I got sick of it (teens will be stupid and learn from their mistakes). The first two weeks my bowel movements did hurt a bit but not too painful but after that I felt no pain. Even though I didn't eat the healthiest of foods afterwards, the doctor (I went for check up yesterday) still said that it's healed better than he expected. So it's totally worth it! And I don't know what else to say so...bye! xx

Hi, five days ago I had two skin tags removed from my anal area. The pain hasn't been bad at all, I didn't even take any of the prescribed painkillers. After a bowel movement on the third day, the stitches on one of them appear to have come undone/loosed considerably. Upon a closer look, when spreading the area it looks like a slit, almost like a fissure except it's completely on the outside. When left alone the skin is a least close together even without the stitches. It doesn't bleed much, just a bit spotty after bowel movements, which have been gradually getting easier/less painful as I heal. It does sting considerably though. I've been applying bacitracin, eating fiber, drinking water and taking sitz baths, which seem to help. I am extremely worried, however, that the area won't heal properly. Since it looks like a fissure, I'm worried that another skin tag will form in place of the wound, which would defeat the whole purpose of the surgery in the first place. For those who've gone through with this, will this heal properly as it is?

hello, your situation sounds just like mine. It's been a week now since I had a tag removed. How long does this pain after bowel movements last. It's terrible!! :( also it looks like part of the would opened and the stitches came out early. I hope that closes up on its own. Thanks for your help!

your full tag will not have been removed because it can cause scar tissue and stop the opening of your rectum. I would go back and see your Dr if you still have leakage after two weeks.

Oh my, you couldn't have described my current situation any better. On December 20, 2013, I had anal fissure surgery and chose the banding procedure as oppose to a hemorhoidectomy (sp?). The day after surgery I peeked at the area using a mirror as well and saw this huge tissue (thrombus) outside my anal area and freaked out. I called my doctor's office repeatedly the next day and finally someone made contact with the surgeon and she said it would be okay to attempt to push them back in. Unfortunately, it was so painful that I did not do this. On the next day I drove myself to urgent care and the PA there looked stunned and called my surgeon and she advised the PA to subscribe me an antibiotic as an infection had occurred. Anyway, what was bulging out of me was a never seen before huge skin tag. I post-follow up appoint was then made with my surgeon's counterpart a few days later and the look on his eyes were stunning that he called in the assistant and asked if she had seen this before. Please note that prior to the surgery I did not have a skin tag to my knowledge outside my body in that area but that surgeon pointed out that my actual surgeon had noted that there was a "minor" skin tag but trust me post-surgery this was no minor skin tag. When I saw the actual surgeon who performed the procedure a few weeks later I apprised her that I was not pleased and stunned about the huge skin tag and wanted it removed for not only hygiene purposes but because it was embarrassing and in the way of actually cleaning myself thoroughly. We therefore scheduled another surgery for March 28, 2014 to remove the "skin tag" (at least this is what I thought she was going to do). However, after awakening from my surgery on the 28th of March, my surgeon apprised me that she actually performed a full hemorrhoidectomy which was a big surprise to me and of course more painful than the previous procedure and it took me a full day in out patient care as I could not urinate so they performed two (2) catheter procedures. Anyway, I took some before and after pictures of anal area and certainly there is a distinct difference (i.e., more skin tags) post the 2nd surgery. I am appalled and disgruntled. What should I do? I had my 1st post 03-28-14 appointment with my surgeon on 04-03-14 and explained to her that I was not pleased and if she thought the tags would go away. She struggled with the response and said I will have some skin tag but over time I should expect them to decrease in time (I have my doubts) as a week later (i.e., as of today 04-10-14, I have more tags than ever. Should I consult a medical attorney? I'm at a loss here. I was thinking about paying out of my pocket to go to ACRS (Atlanta Colon & Rectal Surgery Center) for a second opinion. I am currently on an HMO plan do not believe my provider will approve me seeing a doctor outside the HMO. Thanks

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I had a large anal skin tag removed yesterday in the afternoon by General Anaesthetic. Felt just fine afterwards and yes due to the sensitivity of area there is pain. Although, I have not taken any pain killers as want to let the body deal with it naturally. To anyone worried about having this procedure done by incision. My advice would be to go ahead with it as you will reap the benefits and rewards one it has healed. Good Luck everyone and I am so so pleased that it has gone :-)

Hi everyone, After reading all of these horror stories about having skin tags removed in the anal area I don't blame you for being terrified. To ease your mind if you are considering this procedure please rest assure it is not that bad. It is quick and you don't feel anything besides the local anesthetic (ouch)! Keep in mind every person has their very own experience. I scheduled an appointment with my specialist. After a few weeks I went to the hospital and checked in. By the time I arrived and was finished the procedure about half an hour had passed. She made sure the area was numb, proceeded to cut of the skin tag and then cleaned the area up and put some gauze in. I was not expecting a whole lot of blood so when I went to stand up I was a bit shocked. I was sent home with a hospital pad (almost as large as a diaper) I made sure I left home with a clean underwear for after the surgery. I did not feel a thing until about 2 hours later. For the pain that was a 6-7/10 I took 2 extra strength tylenol and made sure I drank lots of water. However, to my surprise I had to go to the washroom even though I went before surgery. I was so afraid to sit on the toilet for a bowel movement. It felt very tight and sore but did not feel painful. Expect blood and the area to be very very swollen. You will not see the results you want until a fee weeks pass. To clean after a bowel movement use a bottle that has a squirt lid and warm water on the area. Sitting in a sitz bath or taking a warm shower after each bowel movement will also help with cleanliness. Remember to put fresh gauze in the area after this. It is day 6 and I feel great. Minor discomfort when sitting or bending over. I only had to take tylenol for three days post op. The area looks WAY better since the swelling has gone down. I still continue to change the gauze several times a day just to make sure the area is extra clean. There is only a spec on blood here and there which is expected. The only thing that has changed for me after surgery is the fact that I have several bowel movements a day which come on very suddenly and I need to go right away. I am sure this will also pass. So far the surgery was well worth the whole experience. Many of you are probably going to wonder if sex is okay after surgery since the area is close to your vagina/penis. I would recommend waiting at least 5 days or longer until YOU feel the area has healed and does not cause you pain, and of course TAKE IT EASY. Clean the area as described above after sex. I recommend a shower. Hope this helps and Goodluck!!

What sort of doctor does this surgery? Does one have to go to a specialist or just a regaulr doctor?

I had my anal skin tags removed yesterday 16-12-14. I had mine for years and was convinced they were the problem to my bleeding when I was passing stools, anyhow I got put to sleep to have both of mine removed, as soon as I woke up I was in a lot of pain, was about 8/10 on a scale of, after 4 hours of coming around I was back at home with co-codemol and Ibprophen. I slept quite a lot on the 16th, then today was my first bowl passing 17th-12-14 I bled a lot and got in the bath almost instantly because I couldn't clean much as it was extremely sore. I did find it hard to get out of the bath too, I hope the pain goes away soon. I have looked in the mirror and both of mine seems to have gone, the surgeon who operated on me did tell me he might not be able to remove them if it was a higher risk of damaging my anus and wouldn't be able to tighten or loosen it but he did get rid of them and I can tense, I hope they don't come back as I wouldn't like this pain again.

Oh my goodness, I am waiting to get mine done and it sounds scarey. :-( I got several following treatment for bowel cancer and not processing foods properly leading to severe constipation. wouldn't bother but the itching is a nightmare,,,bmw

I had this surgery 2.5 weeks ago and regret it terribly. I had a few removed several years ago (before I ever had kids), and don't remember the recovery being bad at all so I figured this would be similar. WRONG! I wasn't feeling well when I got home from the hospital and immediately had a bm :( that, combined with my sensitive episiotomy scar tissue, set me up for a bad recovery. If I had thought recovery would be this bad, I definitely would not have done this.

I'm going to get a tag remove on my anus in 2weeks and have been reading about it and checking out info bout recovery. Is it worth doing for the pain and be happy later in the future. Or deal with self conscious and being imbarased I'm really nervous first surgey. Please reply

I am supposed to be getting my tags removed in the beginning of May and after reading all of these stories, I have to say that I am TERRIFIED. Someone please tell me this is worth it

I had two perinanal skin tags removed, one was quite large, about half and inch, and annoying. The other was tiny but they made me so self conscious. Received general anesthesia and a sedative. I was under for about 45 min. It has been 8 hours since and I feel a little bit sleepy but otherwise normal. Best part? I took a look down there and the poop exit looks completely normal. There's almost no swelling and I can't even tell where the doctor cut them off. Awesome surgeon!! My pain level is non existent and hopefully it stays that way, although I'm not sure how long it takes for the pain meds to wear off. I was instructed to take some stool softener with the drugs prescribed for pain during recovery because a side effect is constipation but if the pain isn't bad I don't plan on taking any narcotics. They also gave me a pain relieving cream which I will use if things start to hurt. Should have done this a long time ago but I read a lot of horror stories online, which is why I wanted to share my positive experience. So far so good and SO HAPPY those little monsters are gone

I just had the surgery on Friday. I had a normal size anal skin tag. I went in and they put a numbing needle in to my butt.. The pain was excruciating. After my butt was numb though I didn't feel them cut the tag off just heard it.