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Hemorrhoid Banding Procedure
If you’ve tried treating your hemorrhoids at home but have had no success, you may be considering hemorrhoid banding treatment, and you probably have some questions. In this guide, we hope to address your concerns and paint a clearer picture of this minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment.
We’ll answer questions such as:
- How does rubber band ligation work?
- Is hemorrhoid banding painful?
- How long does it take to recover from hemorrhoid ligation treatment?
- Is hemorrhoid banding worth it?
Sections:
- SECTION ONE: HEMORRHOID BANDING
- SECTION TWO: WHAT TO EXPECT WITH HEMORRHOID BANDING
- SECTION THREE: DECIDING IF HEMORRHOID BANDING IS RIGHT FOR YOU
What is Hemorrhoid Banding?
To understand the hemorrhoid banding procedure, it first helps to know how hemorrhoids form. Hemorrhoids can develop any time a person puts too much pressure on the veins in the rectal area. For example, during a bowel movement, the anal tissue fills with blood to aid the process. If you strain during a bowel movement, you may increase pressure in anal veins, causing these veins to swell or stretch. Usually, this swelling resolves quickly after straining, but sometimes the tissue remains engorged. The swollen tissue is called a hemorrhoid.
Other factors that may cause too much pressure to build include:
- Sitting on the toilet too long
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Recurring constipation or diarrhea
- Not eating enough fiber
The risk of developing hemorrhoids also increases if you are between 45 and 65 years old. However, hemorrhoids can happen at any age, and it’s not uncommon for young people to experience hemorrhoids. Most people will have a hemorrhoid at some point in their life.
Fortunately, today’s patients do not have to live with the discomfort of having hemorrhoids, nor do they have to choose surgery to find relief.
Hemorrhoid banding, or rubber band ligation, is a painless, minimally invasive method used to treat internal hemorrhoids and relieve external hemorrhoid symptoms.
According to an article published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, rubber band ligation is one of the most commonly used and cost-effective treatments for internal hemorrhoids. In this chapter, we’ll show you how internal hemorrhoid banding works.
How Does Hemorrhoid Banding Work?
When a doctor uses a ligator to place a tiny elastic band around a hemorrhoid, it cuts off the hemorrhoidal tissue’s blood supply. This causes the hemorrhoid to painlessly wither and fall from the living tissue in about a week. The surrounding tissue then forms a small scar as it heals. Once a scar forms where the hemorrhoid used to be, it helps keep hemorrhoids from coming back in the same spot.
When Does a Doctor Recommend Hemorrhoid Banding?
Your doctor may recommend rubber band ligation to treat hemorrhoids that are prolapsed or causing symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Swelling
- Soiling
Hemorrhoids can become itchier or more painful over time if they remain untreated. Any patient who suffers from recurring hemorrhoid symptoms might consider hemorrhoid banding.
Types of Hemorrhoid Banding
Physicians can use several techniques and specialized tools to perform hemorrhoid banding. For example, ligators feature variations in the grip. Some ligators have a pistol grip, while others feature a scissors grip. The mechanisms for capturing the hemorrhoid and releasing the band also vary.
Even though the following procedures all aim to ligate hemorrhoids, they may produce different results since they involve distinct devices and techniques. Here are the various types of hemorrhoid banding:
Traditional Rubber Band Ligation
During a traditional rubber banding hemorrhoid procedure, the doctor clamps the hemorrhoid with metal forceps and pulls it away from the anal wall. Next, the doctor places a rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow, causing it to dry up and eventually fall off. Traditional rubbing band ligation takes five to 10 minutes, and patients may require up to three days to recover.
This procedure usually causes post-procedure pain and bleeding, and physicians often prescribe pain medication to help patients get through their recovery. According to the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, pain is one of the most common complications of traditional rubber band ligation and occurs in about 25% to 50% of patients.
Endoscopic Banding
Endoscopic band ligation involves the use of an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that a doctor can put tools in, such as forceps. Endoscopes used for hemorrhoid banding have been fitted with a plastic cap containing elastic bands. After the doctor inserts the endoscope into the patient’s anus, they will use a suction device or forceps to secure the hemorrhoid before placing the band around the base of the tissue.
Endoscopic banding is more complex and costlier than other types of ligation. Endoscopic banding also typically requires fasting, bowel preparation and sedation. Patients may experience pain after an endoscopic banding procedure.
CRH O’Regan: Modern Hemorrhoid Banding
The CRH O’Regan technique is similar to traditional hemorrhoid banding, except it is less likely to cause pain because it does not involve metal clamps.
For example, one study found that patients had higher pain scores immediately after a traditional banding procedure involving forceps ligation than those who underwent suction ligation. Less than 1% of patients experience significant pain or other complications with the CRH O’Regan System.
The CRH O’Regan method uses a disposable ligator, which is a small plunger device resembling a syringe, to create suction and gently pull the hemorrhoid. Once the hemorrhoidal tissue enters the device, a rubber band is released and placed around the tissue. There are no pain-sensing nerves where the doctor puts the rubber band.
Unlike other hemorrhoid banding treatments, the CRH O’Regan System does not require preparation, such as fasting or sedation. Nor does the doctor need to use any special instrumentation, and they can complete the treatment with only the CRH O’Regan ligator, examination gloves and lubricant. The procedure is also very fast and usually takes less than a minute, unlike other rubber band ligation procedures. Patients can undergo hemorrhoid banding with the CRH O’Regan System in their doctor’s office and return to work on the same day.
If you have multiple hemorrhoids that require treatment, your doctor will schedule a few more visits to perform the CRH O’Regan technique. Typically, your doctor will only place one band per visit to allow sufficient time for healing. Treating multiple hemorrhoids at once increases the risk of complications, so if possible, it’s worth it to undergo one treatment at a time.
Since there are three sites where hemorrhoids frequently form, most patients require a total of three treatments, with each appointment scheduled about two weeks apart. With Once you complete CRH O’Regan treatment, you can expect a low recurrence rate, similar to that of hemorrhoid surgery. Fewer than 5% of patients experience a recurrence within two years after CRH O’Regan treatment.
What to Expect With Piles Ligation
In general, hemorrhoid banding is a quick, safe and simple procedure that rarely causes serious complications. You can expect to recover quickly from hemorrhoid banding and continue with your usual routine. However, your experience will depend on the technique your doctor uses.
If your doctor performs hemorrhoid banding using the CRH O’Regan system, you can return to work immediately after the procedure as long as your job does not involve strenuous activity. The CRH O’Regan System does not require preparation or sedation and takes very little time, so you can easily fit it into your schedule.
In this chapter, we’ll discuss how you what you can to expect during and after any hemorrhoid banding procedure, including side effects and recovery time. If you have questions along the way, please use our directory to find and contact a local CRH O’Regan physician.
Is Hemorrhoid Banding Painful?
During hemorrhoid banding, your doctor will place the band above the dentate line where there are no pain-sensing nerves, so the procedure itself is painless. However, some ligation techniques may cause more pain post-procedure than others.
For example, traditional methods using forceps involves grasping the hemorrhoid with metal. While this may not cause pain during the procedure, patients may experience pain after hemorrhoid banding.
For most patients, the CRH O’Regan method does not cause any pain during the procedure or recovery. Rather than using a metal clamp to grasp the hemorrhoid, the CRH O’Regan ligator uses gentle suction to draw the hemorrhoid into the device before applying the rubber band. According to a
study of over 6,500 patients, only 0.5% of the patients treated with the CRH O’Regan System reported bleeding or severe pain after the procedure. With other types of hemorrhoid banding, 4% to 29% of patients reported significant pain post-procedure.
Can a Hemorrhoid Fall Off By Itself?
A hemorrhoid will not fall off by itself. While the symptoms of small hemorrhoids may temporarily subside without treatment, the hemorrhoids can come back. Usually, if a hemorrhoid has progressed to cause noticeable symptoms, it won’t fall off or go away on its own. If you have hemorrhoid symptoms, it’s best to talk to your doctor and determine the right treatment for your condition.
How Successful Is the Procedure?
In general, the success rate of hemorrhoid banding falls between 70% and 97%, but this depends on the technique used and the hemorrhoid grade. The CRH O’Regan System is a hemorrhoid banding method that’s proven to be 99% effective. This technique is on par with hemorrhoid surgery but features a much lower complication rate.
Is Hemorrhoid Banding Considered Surgery?
Hemorrhoid banding is not considered surgery and does not involve incisions. Instead, it is thought to be the most effective non-surgical treatment for
internal hemorrhoids.
Deciding If Hemorrhoid Banding Is Right for You
If you have hemorrhoid symptoms that won’t go away, no matter what you do, it may be time to talk to your doctor about hemorrhoid banding. Your doctor will examine you and recommend the best treatment considering the hemorrhoid grade. Hemorrhoids are grouped into different grades based on how much they protrude out of the anal canal.
The various grades include:
- Grade I hemorrhoids do not protrude, and they may or may not bleed.
- Grade II hemorrhoids protrude during bowel movements but go back on their own.
- Grade III hemorrhoids protrude and must be manually pushed back in.
- Grade IV hemorrhoids protrude and cannot retract.
Hemorrhoid banding is most commonly used to treat Grade I to Grade II hemorrhoids. However, doctors can utilize hemorrhoid banding technology like the CRH O’Regan ligator to eliminate Grade III hemorrhoids, though it may require more than three treatments.
Millions of people have hemorrhoids, but many suffer from them for years before seeking treatment. Although internal hemorrhoids usually aren’t dangerous, they can recur and cause pain or irritation. If left untreated, hemorrhoids can also progress into more advanced grades.
For example, they can become thrombosed, which can lead to swelling, inflammation and severe pain. Thrombosed hemorrhoids occur when blood collects in an external or internal hemorrhoid and forms a clot.
Internal hemorrhoids can also prolapse if left untreated and extend beyond the anus. Prolapsed hemorrhoids might collect mucus and stool particles, which can lead to itching and discomfort.
If you have hemorrhoids that cause bleeding or do not improve after a week of home care, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor. Your doctor will rule out other diseases and use the appropriate treatment to bring you relief.
If you have hemorrhoids that are prolapsed or cause bleeding, itching, swelling or soiling, your doctor might recommend ligation. Hemorrhoid banding can be worth it if your hemorrhoids bother you and if you want a simple treatment that works for most people.
Keep in mind that not all banding techniques are exactly the same. If you have the option, consider the CRH O’Regan System, which has been called the best treatment available for hemorrhoids.
Why CRH O’Regan System?
Benefits of the CRH O’Regan System include:
- Painless: Modern hemorrhoid banding technology, like the CRH O’Regan System, leads to much less pain post-procedure than previous methods. The procedure itself is painless.
- Safe: The CRH O’Regan System is considered a safe procedure and rarely leads to complications. When doctors treat one hemorrhoid when using the CRH O’Regan ligator, patients can expect a less than 1% complication rate.
- Fast: A CRH O’Regan procedure takes about a minute, unlike other rubber band ligation methods, which may take five to 30 minutes. You can be in and out of the doctor’s office on the same day of your treatment without having to take time off of work.
- Effective: The CRH O’Regan System is more than 99% effective and can treat about 95% of patients with hemorrhoids. With the CRH O’Regan System, you can find fast relief when other options didn’t work.
- Disposable: The CRH O’Regan System is disposable, meaning there’s less risk of cross-infection. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) account for almost 2 million infections each year, and patients can acquire HAI in any type of medical facility. You can enjoy greater peace of mind if your doctor treats your hemorrhoids with a single-use CRH O’Regan ligator.
- Cost-effective: Since you can receive hemorrhoid banding treatment in a doctor’s office, you don’t have to worry about costs relating to a hospital stay, and you also don’t have to miss time or pay at work.
- No preparation required: The CRH O’Regan System does not require fasting or any other type of preparation. You won’t have to revolve your week around your procedure or feel uncomfortable leading up to your appointment.
- No sedation needed: The CRH O’Regan System does not require anesthesia, so you can drive yourself home or get back to work the same day of your treatment. You also don’t have to worry about any of the complications associated with anesthesia.
Overall, the CRH O’Regan System allows you to get rid of your hemorrhoids quickly, easily and painlessly so that you can get on with your life.
After Hemorrhoid Banding
What Are the Side Effects of Ligation Banding?
After hemorrhoid banding using the CRH O’Regan method, you might experience a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the rectum during the first 24 hours after the procedure. Usually, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen relieve these symptoms. You may also experience slight bleeding with bowel movements, when the hemorrhoid falls off and a few days after it leaves your body.
Since your doctor will only place one band at a time, other side effects are extremely rare. Less than 1% of patients report significant bleeding, severe pain or urine hesitancy.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
The hemorrhoid banding recovery time depends on the individual and the technique used. Generally, after the hemorrhoid falls off within a few days, it may take one to two weeks for the live tissue to fully heal. You can help your recovery by avoiding straining.
With CRH O’Regan treatment, in particular, you can expect a fast recovery, and you will not have to follow a strict regime. In other words, you can go back to work or resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. You’ll only want to avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise on the same day of treatment.
What Should You Do After Banding a Hemorrhoid?
During your time of healing after hemorrhoid banding, you won’t have to do too much. Aftercare mainly involves avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities. It also helps to eat high-fiber foods to prevent constipation and avoid straining during bowel movements.
To help you feel better faster after a hemorrhoid banding procedure, here are some general aftercare tips:
- Do not lift anything that may cause you to strain for two to three weeks.
- Avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor says it’s all right.
- Try to walk every day to increase blood flow and support bowel health.
- Eat high-fiber foods to make bowel movements more comfortable and prevent constipation.
- Avoid straining with bowel movements as you recover.
- Place your feet on a small step stool when you sit on the toilet to make bowel movements easier.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve a feeling of fullness in the rectal area.
- Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the medications you take.
- To soothe pain, sit in a shallow bath of warm water for about 20 minutes three times a day and after bowel movements, and pat the area dry.
- Apply a cold pack to the area for 10 or 20 minutes every one to two hours for three days after the procedure.
- To decrease swelling, lie on your stomach with a pillow under your hips.
- Unless told otherwise by your doctor, avoid placing anything in your rectum as you recover.
- Get adequate sleep and rest when you feel tired.
After a CRH O’Regan procedure, you’ll only need to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting the day of your treatment, and you can go back to your usual activities the next day. If you wish, you can soak in a warm bath with a tablespoon of salt to gently clean the anal opening as you heal.
Regardless of the type of hemorrhoid banding procedure you have, it’s essential to call your doctor if you experience any problems during your recovery. Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments as well, so you can make the most of your treatment.
How Long Does It Take a Banded Hemorrhoid to Fall Off?
A banded hemorrhoid usually falls off in two to four days.
What Does a Hemorrhoid Look Like When It Falls Off?
Since the hemorrhoid will shrink and dry up, you likely won’t notice it when it leaves your body, usually during a bowel movement. You may see the rubber band in the toilet, although it’s only a few millimeters wide. Typically, patients do not notice anything when the hemorrhoid falls off other than minor bleeding with their bowel movement.
Can You Drive After the Procedure?
Yes, you can drive after hemorrhoid banding treatment. As mentioned, the procedure does not require sedation, so there’s no need to ask someone to drive you home from the doctor’s office.
Can You Eat After Hemorrhoid Banding?
Yes, you can eat after the treatment. Unlike hemorrhoid surgery, which requires patients to eat low-residue foods until they heal, you can eat your usual diet immediately after the procedure. However, doctors recommend including high-fiber foods in your diet to make stool softer and prevent constipation. Since high-fiber foods make it easier to pass stool, you’ll reduce the chance you’ll strain during bowel movements, which can help keep hemorrhoids from coming back.
It’s recommended to consume 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories. Examples of high-fiber foods include:
- Fruits: Pears, apples, raspberries and prunes
- Vegetables: Green peas, collards, potatoes with the skin and winter squash
- Beans: Navy, pinto and kidney beans
- Grains: Bran or shredded wheat cereal, whole-wheat pasta or bran muffins
It also helps to limit foods with little or no fiber, such as cheese, ice cream, meat and processed foods. Also, make sure to drink plenty of liquids unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise. Drinking adequate fluids helps fiber work properly in your body.
Can You Sit After Hemorrhoid Banding?
Yes, you can sit after the procedure. However, it’s recommended that you try not to stay seated for more than two to three hours at a time during the first couple of days after the procedure.
Can You Take a Bath After?
You can safely take a bath or shower immediately after hemorrhoid banding. As mentioned above, doctors recommended soaking in a warm bath to keep the area clean as you recover.
Can Hemorrhoids Come Back After Banding?
Hemorrhoids can come back, but they are less likely to recur with banding than other treatments. With the CRH O’Regan System, fewer than 5% of patients have a recurrence within two years. Hemorrhoid banding is considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for internal hemorrhoids and long-term results.