Samuel N. Marcus M.D., Ph.D.

EL CAMINO GI MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

CROHN'S & COLITIS MEDICAL CLINIC

Hemorrhoidal Banding

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hemorrhoids may be a standing joke, but they’re no laughing matter when you have them. From mild discomfort and itching, to chronic pain and rectal bleeding – they can make everyday life miserable.

Fortunately, you do not have to suffer indefinitely. There are multiple paths to permanent hemorroid treatment, depending on the severity of your particular case as well as your personal preference. Some of our patients find that the use of garden-variety apple cider vinegar or over-the-counter remedies, like Preparation-H® , are enough to do the trick. However, these rarely work for long if hemorrhoids when stubborn hemorrhoids refuse to heal on their own.

Hemorrhoidal Banding – Non-Surgical Relief for Internal Hemorrhoids

When hemorrhoids (sometimes mistakenly written as “hemroids”) become a chronic issue – more powerful remedies are required for patients to experience relief.

A fear of surgery, or the inconveniences associated with surgical treatment of hemorrhoids, can be enough to prevent people from seeking much-needed treatment. Fortunately, there is a fast, simple and non-surgical treatment that can put a permanent end to existing hemorrhoids. It’s called hemorrhoidal banding, or rubber band ligation.

This outpatient treatment requires zero to minimal days off, depending on the number and degree of the hemorrhoids in question. Best of all, hemorrhoidal banding is performed right in the comfort of Dr. Marcus’s office so there’s no need to deal with referrals, hospital O.R.s or a new team of medical staff.

Rubber band ligation works by cutting off the blood flow to the isolated, banded tissue. Once it lacks a blood supply, the hemorrhoid begins to shrink and then – within two days to a week – it dies off. A small patch of scar tissue forms where the hemorrhoid used to be, and this scar tissue helps to hold existing veins in place, preventing them from bulging into the anus

This is an added bonus of hemorrhoidal banding; it’s like a treatment and a preventative therapy in one.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. Marcus offers relief from hemorrhoids with The CRH O’Regan System, the gold standard for non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment. The procedure is easy, fast and painless. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is…and how great you feel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What Happens During a Hemorrhoidal Banding Procedure?

There are slightly different techniques used for hemorrhoidal banding, so the specifics might vary from doctor to doctor. However, the general procedure remains the same:

  • The initial consultation. Of course, before any treatment can be administered, your doctor will need to do a physical exam to determine the quantity and degree of the hemorrhoids in question. Dr. Marcus uses proctosigmoidoscopy or anoscopy to get a picture of the affected area to make the best diagnosis for your situation. Hemorrhoidal banding works best on first- and second-degree hemorrhoids. It is often recommended for third-degree hemorrhoids if patients are experiencing bleeding and/or prolapse. In most cases, only one to two hemorrhoids can be treated at a time; addition hemorrhoid banding can be scheduled at 4- to 6-week intervals. There have been circumstances where patients had as many as four hemorrhoids banded at once, but that typically requires general anesthesia – which requires more complicated procedure prep.
  • The Banding. To perform the banding, the doctor uses a sterile instrument to grasp the hemorrhoid tissue, and then a separate device places a tight rubber band around the base. In most cases, this is all there is to it. If a particular hemorrhoid feels exceedingly painful, Dr. Marcus can inject it with a numbing solution.

Please Note: Patients on any type of anticoagulant therapy are not candidates for hemorrhoidal banding because it puts you at risk for excessive bleeding. Patients who take aspirin are asked to stop taking it for at least 14-days prior to the procedure.

Enjoy a Quick Recovery From Hemorrhoidal Band Ligation

You will feel mild to moderate pain or discomfort for the first day or two after the procedure is over. Some people prefer to take these days off, or schedule their recovery over a weekend – but it’s not necessary. You may also experience a feeling of abdominal fullness or the feeling that they have to have  bowel movement.

Some patients experience minimal pain and discomfort while others find they need to use acetaminophen and sitz baths for the first 24- to 48-hours to minimize discomfort. Patients should avoid taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for at least four days after the procedure. Light bleeding is completely normal for the first week to 10-days.

Consuming a high-fiber diet and plenty of water is the best way to prevent future hemorrhoids from developing and to naturally heal any other hemorrhoids you might have.

Interested in learning whether this simple, non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment is right for you? Contact the office of Dr. Samuel N. Marcus and we’ll schedule a consultation. 650-988-7488.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]