Hemorrhoid Banding

What is hemorrhoid banding?

Hemorrhoid banding is a way to destroy hemorrhoids by putting tight bands around the swollen veins.

When is it used?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. The anus is at the end of the rectum. It is the opening through which bowel movements pass from your body.

Hemorrhoids can cause pain, bleeding, and itching. Your healthcare provider may recommend hemorrhoid banding as a way to treat hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid banding is effective in most cases. The hemorrhoids that were banded should no longer cause itching, bleeding, or pain.

Instead of this procedure, other treatments may include:

• trying to prevent constipation by increasing the fiber in your diet, drinking more water, and getting regular exercise
• relieving pain with anesthetic ointments, sitz baths, or cold packs
• destroying the hemorrhoids with freezing, electrical or laser heat, or infrared light
• shrinking the hemorrhoid by injecting a chemical around the swollen vein
• removing the hemorrhoids with surgery

You may choose not to have treatment. Ask your healthcare provider about your choices for treatment and the risks

How do I prepare for this procedure?

Make plans for your care and recovery after you have the procedure. Find someone to give you a ride home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help with your day-to-day tasks while you recover.

Follow instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens during the procedure?

This procedure may be at your healthcare provider’s office or an outpatient clinic.

You may not need any anesthesia, or you may be given a local anesthetic to numb the area and keep you from feeling pain.

Your healthcare provider will put an anoscope into your anus. An anoscope is a tubelike instrument with a light. It is used to examine and treat the lower rectum and anus. Your provider will use the scope to see the hemorrhoids and put 1 or 2 tiny rubber bands around the base of each swollen vein. The bands cut off blood flow to the hemorrhoids. The lack of blood flow will cause the hemorrhoids to dry up and fall in 1 to 2 weeks. Your provider may also cut the hemorrhoids open and remove any blood clots.

What happens after the procedure?

You can go home after the procedure.

You can expect to have light bleeding for a few days. The banded areas usually take about 2 weeks to heal completely. As the area heals, the hemorrhoids shrink and dry up and are passed with bowel movements.

You may have trouble passing urine and controlling gas and bowel movements for a few days after this procedure due to swelling in the area around the banded hemorrhoids. You may have a feeling of fullness in your lower belly, or you may feel like you need to have a bowel movement.

Most of the time, pain or other discomfort after the procedure is mild. Your healthcare provider can prescribe pain medicine if you need it.

Your healthcare provider may recommend the following to care for yourself as you recover:

• Take sitz baths by sitting in a bathtub of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps keep the area clean and increases blood flow to the area to help healing. Ask your provider how often you should do this.
• Ask your provider about ointments to put on the anal area.
• Use a “donut” pillow to help you sit more comfortably for the first few days after surgery.
• To try to prevent pain and swelling and keep from getting more hemorrhoids:
  • Avoid straining when you have a bowel movement.
  • Have a bowel movement when you first feel the urge.
  • Don’t sit on the toilet for long periods of time.
  • Drink more water and eat more dietary fiber.
  • When you are healed, get more physical activity.

Ask your healthcare provider:

• how long it will take to recover
• what activities you should avoid, including lifting, and when you can return to your normal activities
• how to take care of yourself at home
• what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. You may need several treatments.

What are the risks of this procedure?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure and any risks. Some possible risks include:

• Anesthesia has some risks. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider.
• You may have infection or bleeding.
• You may have trouble urinating for a day or two.
• Any hemorrhoids you still have may get irritated.
• The hemorrhoids may come back.

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.