Hemorrhoid Ligation: Preparing Yourself For The Process

One of the proven surgical processes for hemorrhoid removal is ligation.  This is done for smaller hemorrhoids and is sometimes termed as "banding".  When hemorrhoids contain blood clots and excessive bleeding affects your anal area, this procedure is recommended.

Ligation is a process of putting a small rubber band at the base of the hemorrhoid.  The process causes your hemorrhoid tissues to eventually die down and fall off as an end result of lack of blood flow.  The process controls and stops the affected area from bleeding.

Preparation for hemorrhoid ligation

In order to prepare yourself for hemorrhoid ligation, you have to know the factors that go with the process itself like what other procedures should be done before ligation, how it is done, what are the equipments used, and what its benefits are.  Here are some of the things you need to know about the entire process:

• Preparing yourself for the process.  Before going for banding, you must have your blood tested first.  After this, you will be injected with local anesthesia in order for you to feel comfortable during the entire procedure.  Wearing comfortable clothes will help you feel relaxed.

• The procedure.  Your surgeon will insert a proctoscope or anoscope to help widen your anus.  A proctoscope is a tubular medical instrument used to examine the rectum by the aid of an integral light source.  Another instrument will then be used to take proper hold of the hemorrhoid and in order to make it easier for the doctor to place the rubber band.  The band and the hemorrhoid will fall at the same after one or two weeks.  Make sure that you apply medication using a gauze in the open area.

• The sensation.  You may not feel any pain during the procedure but the stinging sensation may be felt afterwards.  You are advised to take over-the-counter medication that will relieve the pain as recommended by your surgeon.

• The risks.  Risks may be extraordinary for the procedure but in rare cases, it could be accompanied by excessive bleeding, infection and severe pain felt during bowel movements.  You need not worry about your situation since you could call your physician anytime if these conditions worsen.

• The benefits.  Undergoing ligation would give you a greater possibility of totally getting rid of your small hemorrhoids.  You just have to be patient with anything that needs to be done after the procedure. 

• What to do after the procedure.  Having some bloody drainage after the operation is a normal end-result of the surgery you went through.  Take some warm baths several times a day every four hours and after every bowel movement to cleanse the anal area.  Recovery from the procedure takes two weeks, hence, avoid straining yourself from lifting heavy objects within the two-week period.
 
• Calling your physician.  It is important to have follow-up check ups with your physician to ensure that your hemorrhoids have really been treated.  Other reasons for making an appointment would be heavy blood flow, severe pain, fever and chilling, and when having difficulties while urinating and having bowel movements.

The entire ligation process is something you have to prepare for despite the fact that the procedure is painless.  It is better to be prepared than to know nothing about it.  You need not worry about paying too much hospital bills as you may be discharged immediately.