Hemorrhoid Banding in Louisville, KY

Hemorrhoid banding, also called rubber band ligation, treats internal hemorrhoids without cutting and without a hospital stay. A small band closes off the blood supply so the hemorrhoid shrinks and falls away over one to two weeks. Anand Gupta, MD, FACG performs banding in Louisville for patients across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Call 502 893 7744.

What Hemorrhoids Are

Hemorrhoids are cushions of blood vessels and connective tissue that sit in the anal canal in everyone. They become a problem when they swell and start to bleed or protrude, usually from increased pressure during bowel movements, straining, prolonged sitting, pregnancy or chronic constipation. Internal hemorrhoids form above the dentate line, where there are few pain fibers, which is why the first sign is often bright red bleeding rather than pain.

Common symptoms are itching, discomfort, a feeling of fullness and bleeding with bowel movements. Bleeding should always be evaluated rather than assumed to be hemorrhoids, because other conditions produce the same sign.


Pain Relief

The procedure helps alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.

Bleeding Control

Hemorrhoid banding can effectively control bleeding, a common symptom of hemorrhoids.

Minimally Invasive

It is a minimally invasive procedure, offering a less painful and faster recovery than traditional surgical methods.

How Banding Works

The physician places an anoscope into the anal canal to locate the hemorrhoid, then uses a ligator to place one or more small bands at its base. Closing off the blood supply causes the hemorrhoid to shrink, dry and separate over one to two weeks. The tissue then passes with a bowel movement, often without the patient noticing.

Banding is not surgery. Nothing is cut out, and no overnight stay is needed. It is performed in an outpatient setting rather than a hospital.

How Well It Works and What It Feels Like

Rubber band ligation is the most widely used office treatment for internal hemorrhoids that have not responded to diet, fiber and topical measures. Published series report that most patients get lasting relief from a first treatment, and some need a repeat session. Because banding addresses the hemorrhoid itself and not only the symptoms, it tends to hold longer than creams and suppositories alone.

Banding is uncomfortable rather than painful for most people. Whether a topical anesthetic or sedation is used depends on the size of the hemorrhoids, the complexity of the procedure and your overall health. Raise any concerns beforehand.

Recovery and What to Expect

Most patients return to normal activity shortly after the appointment. It takes one to two weeks for the hemorrhoid to dry and separate, so some aching, light spotting, gas or constipation is normal in that window. If constipation is likely or already present, a laxative or stool softener may be recommended or prescribed.

Call the office straight away, or go to an emergency room if the office is closed, for heavy bleeding, a fever, severe pain, or difficulty passing urine. Bleeding can occur around 8 to 14 days after banding, when the band separates, so do not assume a late bleed is unrelated. The full banding FAQ answers the questions patients ask most often.

Non-Surgical

It is a non-surgical and minimally invasive method, reducing the risks and complications associated with traditional surgery.

Painless

The procedure is relatively painless, and most individuals can return to normal activities shortly after.

Effective

Hemorrhoid banding effectively treats the underlying cause of hemorrhoids, providing lasting relief.

Low Risk of Recurrence

This method significantly lowers the risk of hemorrhoid recurrence, ensuring long-term comfort.

Who Banding Suits

Banding treats internal hemorrhoids. It is not used on external hemorrhoids or on a thrombosed hemorrhoid, and it is not suitable for everyone. Tell the office before booking if you take a blood thinner, or if you have Crohn disease, proctitis, an anal fissure or a bleeding disorder, because those change the plan. Dr. Gupta examines first and confirms whether banding is the right treatment for you.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Speak to Dr. Gupta about your own situation.

Booking an Appointment

Hemorrhoid banding is performed at 1003 Dupont Square North in Louisville, convenient to St. Matthews, downtown, Jeffersontown and the Southern Indiana communities across the river. The practice accepts Medicare, Kentucky and Indiana Medicaid and most major plans, listed on the prep instructions page. If bleeding is your main symptom, Dr. Gupta may recommend a colonoscopy first to rule out other causes. Call 502 893 7744.