Hemorrhoid banding, also known as rubber band ligation, is a common, minimally invasive approach used to address symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. A doctor places a small, tight elastic band around the base of the hemorrhoidal tissue. The band interrupts the blood flow to the targeted area, causing the tissue to shrink and eventually detach. This outpatient procedure is effective for treating internal hemorrhoids causing problems like bleeding or protrusion.
Time Spent During the Procedure
The actual process of hemorrhoid banding is quick, often taking less time than a standard office visit. After positioning the patient, preparation and instrument placement require only a few minutes. A doctor uses an anoscope to visualize the internal hemorrhoid within the anal canal.
Applying the band with a specialized instrument called a ligator usually requires only five to ten minutes per hemorrhoid. Since the bands are placed above the dentate line, where there are few pain-sensing nerves, the procedure is painless. Patients remain conscious throughout the process, allowing them to resume most normal activities almost immediately after leaving the clinic.
What to Expect in the First 48 Hours
The immediate effects of the banding procedure are usually felt shortly after the patient leaves and subside within the first one to two days. Many patients report a sensation of fullness in the rectum or a mild, dull ache, caused by the ligated tissue and the band’s pressure. This discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
A common symptom in the first 48 hours is the urge to have a bowel movement, even when the rectum is empty. This temporary side effect occurs because the banded tissue presses on nerve endings in the area. Patients can aid recovery by taking warm sitz baths for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day to soothe the affected area. Most people can return to work or light activities right away, but it is advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
Small amounts of bright red blood may be seen on toilet paper or in the stool during this initial period due to minor irritation. Maintaining soft bowel movements by increasing fiber and fluid intake is important to prevent straining, which can cause pain or dislodge the band prematurely. Contacting a physician is necessary if pain becomes severe or if there is excessive, ongoing bleeding.
When the Hemorrhoid is Eliminated
The complete success of the treatment is achieved when the ligated tissue and the band naturally detach and pass from the body. This process takes approximately 7 to 14 days, as the tissue gradually withers without a blood supply. The patient often does not notice when the band and shriveled tissue fall off, as this typically occurs during a normal bowel movement.
A small amount of bleeding may be noticed around the seven-to-ten-day mark, signaling that the tissue has successfully detached. The area where the hemorrhoid was attached then begins to form a small scar, which takes another one to two weeks for full healing. This scar tissue helps anchor the remaining tissue and prevents the hemorrhoid from recurring at that spot.
If a patient requires treatment for multiple hemorrhoids, physicians usually space the banding sessions out by four to six weeks. This interval allows the treated area to heal sufficiently and minimizes overall discomfort. Once all necessary sessions are completed, the full resolution of symptoms and complete healing generally occurs within a few weeks of the final banded tissue falling off.