When is hemorrhoid banding/ligation worthwhile?
September 10, 2023 10:30 PM   Subscribe

(YANMD) I've had hemorrhoids for ~5 years, mostly mild but seem to get worse when I go through periods of stress. My main symptom is actually itching at night, which is relieved with ointments. I finally saw a doctor because during a stressful time earlier this year I was using the ointments for relief more than is recommended, and the proctologist explained they are mild but would benefit from banding to hopefully get rid of them while they're mild. I'm supposed to have it this week, but have a few doubts (more inside).

When I saw the doctor, they said it's a very minor thing to do, and after explaining how it works, they asked if we should do it right then. However, I said I was traveling in 3 days and they recommended we wait then, just in case of any unlikely complications. I now will go in a few days for it, and made the mistake of looking up the procedure online. While the doctor said I would be able to return to work the same day and likely only have minor discomfort for a couple days, on reddit for example I see dozens of stories about people staying in the hospital and even having anesthesia for the same procedure. I assume their cases must be somehow much worse, because that's quite a big delta compared to me being offered to "just do it now" in my first appointment. The doctor I saw has good reviews and was recommended by my primary who I also trust.

My main concerns are that I have a quite busy schedule at the moment with lots of in-person appointments. I can stay home the day of the procedure and the day after, but would have a hard time if I need to stay home for a week or two right now, as some people claim might be necessary. Further, my actual complaints with my hemorrhoids are not very serious, and only affect me a few days per month on average. Overall, I'm not sure if the procedure is therefore worthwhile.

On the other hand: The next 2 weeks might be the only time I won't have any travel for the next 6 months (I have to do regional travel for work), and my gut tells me to just try the procedure and even in the cases where it seems to go poorly most people seem back to normal within 2 weeks.

Anyone have some experiences that can help guide my decision? I'll of course discuss my doubts with the doctor before we begin at the appointment as well.
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Banding is a minor procedure, it will cause some discomfort but nothing too painful.

When you read about people in hospital are you getting it mixed up with a hemmorrhoidectomy? That's a very different and quite serious procedure. I was put under general anesthetic for mine and was bedbound for over 2 months. Banding is the treatment you use to avoid getting into that state.
posted by tallus at 7:25 AM on September 11, 2023 [1 favorite]


I hesitated to reply because I barely remember my experience, but I had banding done a few years ago. It took several visits to the doctor's office, no hospitalization or anesthesia. The procedure itself wasn't painful, but afterward there was maybe a day of discomfort or sometimes actual pain, like maybe a really bad stomach ache. That's my vague recollection, anyway. I'm glad I had it done.

Like tallus, I wonder if you're confusing two procedures. Best of luck!
posted by mpark at 7:28 AM on September 11, 2023


My husband had this done about 15 years ago and I asked him about it last night. He said he had the banding done for an internal hemorrhoid as well as removal of an external hemorrhoid at the same time and was awake the whole time. Said the banding was "nothing" and if I recall he went back to work either the next day or whenever his next shift was. He still has hemorrhoid issues as an fyi, but we recently got a bidet and he says that's help with some of the bleeding/itchyness.
posted by jabes at 10:24 AM on September 12, 2023


Don’t read on Reddit about medical procedures. Most people who have a procedure aren’t going to rush to Reddit to post about their wonderful hemorrhoid experience. This leads to a bias in what people report.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 1:02 PM on September 12, 2023


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