I had mine pulled 2 weeks ago and endured a brief burning sensation (30 seconds) and then felt like I took a punch. That lasted for 20 minutes. Having it out made that very tolerable. I refused to go back to the flake that installed and my MO took care of it. Either way you will have some pain but tolerable pulled.

Age 55 HPV 16+ SCC, BOT 050613 Stage IV
great team at OSU
Tx 6 weeks of rad started June 3
8 weeks of chemo started May 28
RTOG Phase III trial Cetuximab group.
Treatment completed 7/16/2013
PET Scan completed 10/08/13
Results discussed 10/11/13
NED - Free but am I
Next part of the journey?
1year PET 10/24/14 NED
Good reports now 10 years out.