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For some people, swollen anal or rectal veins known as hemorrhoids go away with the use of oral creams and other conservative care options.

But treatments like this don’t always work well for internal hemorrhoids.

If this is what you are experiencing, you may be a good candidate for hemorrhoid banding in Mission Viejo, an outpatient procedure considered minimally invasive yet still effective for many patients.

What Is Hemorrhoid Banding?

Hemorrhoid banding in Mission Viejo is a method of removing internal hemorrhoids with the placement of tight band around the bottom of the affected veins in either the anus or lower part of the rectum. The procedure can be especially beneficial if you have internal hemorrhoids that are contributing to itching, bleeding, and pain. Banding is likely to be discussed if your hemorrhoids are internal and not going away or shrinking with other treatment attempts.

How Do You Prepare?

It can be helpful to have someone at home to take care of routine tasks until you recover from the procedure. It’s also recommended that patients have transportation arranged ahead of time. If you are taking blood-thinning medications for other purposes, you may be asked to temporarily stop taking them prior to undergoing a Hemorrhoid Banding procedure. You may also be asked about medications like NSAIDs that you may be taking since blood-thinning drugs can increase bleeding risks.

By the time rubber band ligation is considered, it’s usually been positively determined that your symptoms are related to internal rectal or anal hemorrhoids. However, a visual examination may still be done with a thin, rigid instrument with an attached light and camera (anoscopy) to determine whether or not the nature of the swollen veins has changed.

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medical-concept-of-hemorrhoid-Orange-County-Gastro-Clinic

What Happens During the Procedure?

During a hemorrhoid banding procedure, a local anesthetic is usually used to numb the affected area. An anoscope just like the one that’s sometimes used to perform a diagnostic anoscopy is inserted via the rectum once the numbing medication is applied.

The scope provides the view that’s needed to properly place two tiny bands around the affected anal or rectal veins. What this does is cut off the supply of blood to the internal hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoid tissue eventually dies off because it has no blood supply.

What Can You Expect After Hemorrhoid Banding in Mission Viejo?

There may be some light bleeding after the procedure. However, this is normal. If you have any lingering discomfort, pain medication can be prescribed for use on a temporary basis. It can also be helpful to avoid foods that cause constipation and drink plenty of water so you’re not straining while making bowel movements. You may also benefit from:

  • Warm sitz baths
  • Using a donut pillow when sitting
  • Using ointment in the anal area

With hemorrhoid banding in Mission Viejo, it usually takes about a week or so for the tied off veins to wither away. Some people do benefit from injections (sclerotherapy), although rubber band ligation tends to be a more effective treatment option. Should banding not produce the desired results, hemorrhoid removal (hemorrhoidectomy) may become an option.