Hemorrhoid Banding Specialist

What is a hemorrhoid?

A hemorrhoid is a swollen vein that looks like a varicose vein but appears in the lower rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids are extremely common.

The two main types of hemorrhoids are external hemorrhoids (on the outside of your anus) and internal hemorrhoids (on the inside of your rectum).

In some cases, hemorrhoids can become thrombosed, meaning that blood gets trapped in the swollen vein, which causes a blood clot. Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be painful, though they aren’t usually dangerous.

Everyone has blood vessels in the lower rectum or anus, called hemorrhoids. Occasionally, one of those veins becomes irritated and causes symptoms. Symptomatic hemorrhoids are extremely common, but many other problems can exist in the area around your bottom, so you need to have the area examined by an experienced medical professional. Rectal bleeding is a red flag symptom that demands investigation before attributing it to hemorrhoids!

The two main types of hemorrhoids are external hemorrhoids (on the outside of your anus) and internal hemorrhoids (on the inside of your rectum) and telling them apart is not always easy. Dr. Vizuete uses band ligation to treat internal hemorrhoids, whereas external hemorrhoids (especially painful thrombosed ones, where blood is trapped in the swollen vein) should be managed by a surgeon.

What are the common symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Symptoms of hemorrhoids can include:

• Bleeding during or after bowel movements
• A lump near your anus
• Discomfort and pain while sitting
• Bleeding during bowel movements
• Irritation or itching around your anus
• The sense that something is protruding out of the anus

Hemorrhoids outside your anus are most likely to cause pain. Consider getting in touch with Dr. Vizuete as soon as possible to have them removed.

What is hemorrhoid banding?

Hemorrhoid banding is a procedure that removes internal and external hemorrhoids through the application of tight bands around the swollen veins.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Dr. Vizuete will gently guide you through all aspects of the procedure. He can give you a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area if needed. He can do the procedure at the time of your initial visit. If an anal fissure is found, you may need other treatment prior to banding.

If you have internal hemorrhoids, Dr. Vizuete inserts an anoscope, a lighted instrument used to inspect the interior of your rectum. He uses this anoscope to find the hemorrhoids and puts one or two small rubber bands around the base of each one.

The rubber bands cut off blood flow to the hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids then dry up and fall off within several days. It may take several weeks to achieve complete resolution

What happens after the procedure?

You might experience light bleeding in the treatment area. You might have a sense of urgency to go to the restroom because of swelling in the treatment area.

To ensure your comfort after the procedure, Dr. Vizuete can give you ointments to put on your anal area. He can also recommend pillows for you to sit on comfortably while you heal.

Hemorrhoids are common, but they’re not pleasant. Get in touch with Dr. Vizuete today by phone or online to start your hemorrhoid banding treatment and get rid of your hemorrhoids for good.