Hey Wednesday...never had mine removed. I have one that was there at my initial diagnosis in 1990 and it sometimes is as big around as a quarter. More have branched off of that one and it is pretty ugly. I just saw a new colorectal surgeon. I had not seen one in a while so my current GI sent me to a new guy...and I mean he is relatively new in his field too (read young guy!). I like getting the latest opinion sometimes along with what has been the story for years. I was told this guy was surgery happy and even he said....don't do it.
Like you, mine fissure at the base and are quite uncomfortable....actually for me most of the time. I went to an over the counter cortisone cream and am trying to stay in remission - the tags are great early indicators of a flare and I think have helped me keep ahead of some of my worse flares. The cream has relieved a lot of the fissure issues at this point in time. I recommend leaving well enough alone from my point of view.