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.
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.
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.
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.
During your time of healing after hemorrhoid banding, you won’t have to do too much. Hemorrhoid banding 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:
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.
A banded hemorrhoid usually falls off in two to four days.
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.
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.
Yes, you can eat after hemorrhoid banding. 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:
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.
If you struggle to get adequate fiber through the food you eat, you can use fiber supplements to increase your intake. You can also add two tablespoons of oat or wheat bran to your breakfast every morning.
Yes, you can sit after hemorrhoid banding. 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.
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.
Hemorrhoids can come back after banding, 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.
No matter the type of hemorrhoid treatment you receive, you can take steps to prevent future hemorrhoids by increasing your fiber intake and avoiding excessive straining.
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.
Although rubber band ligation helps keep hemorrhoids from coming back, there are lifestyle changes you can make to prevent hemorrhoids. Here are tips to help prevent a recurrence of hemorrhoids:
If you have more questions about hemorrhoid prevention, please contact your doctor or visit our blog.