Hemorrhoid Banding

What is hemorrhoid banding?

Hemorrhoid banding is a minimally invasive treatment option for hemorrhoids, enlarged blood vessels that develop in the anus.

Vessel enlargement can occur from straining during bowel movements or from strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects.

Hemorrhoid banding involves the placement of a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow to the tissue. Over time, the tissue dies, and the hemorrhoid falls off.

Why would I need hemorrhoid banding?

You might be a candidate for the hemorrhoid banding services available at Southwest Surgical Associates if you have large or painful hemorrhoids that aren’t treatable with topical medications, dietary changes, or other therapies.

The surgeons recommend scheduling an evaluation if you have hemorrhoids that cause pain, itching, or bleeding. They can determine if banding is the right treatment option for you during a physical exam of your hemorrhoids.

If you’re not a candidate for hemorrhoid banding, the surgeons can discuss your options for other treatments, including hemorrhoid removal surgery.

What happens during hemorrhoid banding?

Hemorrhoid banding is an outpatient procedure. The Southwest Surgical Associates providers can administer a topical or injectable anesthetic to keep you comfortable during your treatment.

To locate the base of an internal hemorrhoid, your surgeon inserts a lighted scope into your rectum. They place the small rubber band over the hemorrhoid using a small tool (ligator) to restrict blood flow.

If you have multiple hemorrhoids, your surgeon can treat them at the same time. After all the bands are in place, you can go home to recover.

How long does it take to see the results of hemorrhoid banding?

After your hemorrhoid banding procedure, you may have some anal or abdominal discomfort for a few hours or days. Gas and constipation are also common side effects of a banding procedure.

It can take 1-2 weeks for your hemorrhoids to dry up. Often, they fall off on their own during bowel movements, so you may not notice when it happens.

The providers at Southwest Surgical Associates can recommend diet and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent new hemorrhoids from forming.

Schedule a consultation online to find out if you’re a candidate for hemorrhoid banding, or call the Southwest Surgical Associates office near you today.

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