Rubber band ligation: is this normal?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi everybody,

I wanted to hear your experiences about rubber band ligation. I had my first one in December 2018 and it was, as expected, pretty uncomfortable but not unbearable. I decided to do it because I had a lump that came out after every BM, plus all the other pretty symptoms of hemorrhoids: itching, burning, clear leakage (not much but bothersome) and sometimes blood. After two months I had a second ligation and for a while all was well. This lasted for about 4 months, then the symptoms returned. Not as bad as before but enough to convince me it was time to make another appointment. I had my third ligation on Nov. 26 so now it is the second day after the procedure. The doctor snapped at least 6 bands in there even if he told me I just had minor hemorrhoids. The day of the procedure was painful and I did not get any sleep. The first day after, the pain had subsided and I could sit and go to work. I had a BM with some blood but it was not painful. Just a bit uncomfortable. Now, on the second day, I feel like a bump or something has formed. It is not on the outside but almost. Is it a new hemorrhoid that formed because the procedure went wrong??? Also, I have this almost constant feeling of having some discharge down there. I did not have this before the procedure or after the first and second banding. Is it normal or part of the healing process?

This is new for me. It would help me to know what you went through. I am so disappointed and now I think I should not have done it. It is affecting my confidence and morale . I hope to hear from you guys. Thank you so much.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    hi im curious what happened with your lump after banding

    i have similar issue about a week after my banding along with burning pain

    waiting a week to see doc freaking out whats wrong now

    • Posted

      Hi, many did you get banded?

      I banded 2 hemorrhoids 4 weeks ago and i'm going back for a check and possible a repeated banding.

      Sometimes it seems to require more than one from what i'm reading.

    • Posted

      Thanks for replying

      2 Banded Only Grade 1 i think

      Having trouble recalling everything surgeon said as still groggy from sedation when he came to see me

      just stressing about this lump and what it is now external hem or abscess or god knows

      in addition burning pain did not have this before

      depressing as it feels like things have got worse not better since banding

      what happened with your lump/bump? did it settle or painful??

      This really is awful

    • Posted

      I Also banded 2 grade ones.

      In the country I live in they dont sedate for this procedure.

      I felt pain for first 8 hours or so which then subsided.

      I had sort of minor symptoms before, mostly feeling of something there. No blood.

      Still have some feeling of something there with some minor pain now and then. Mostly gets on me mentally.

      Sorry you are in such pain.

      Was it same pain from when you woke up all days until now or something new?

      You didn't have any sign of external hems but you do now after banding?

    • Posted

      Im in Australia I think they usually do banding in office but i had my under sedation in hospital as i had a sigmoidoscopy at same time

      i too had milder symptoms mostly like "something there" but no blood

      plus had a fissure cream doc gave me was a god send

      Not too bad after op bit uncomfortable not was happy Went to toilet 2 days after op all good not really painful a little blood also had a big blood bruise? weird bit tried not to stress

      all was going well and l went to work on sunday and thats when pain started

      when i had a look and took pic of bruise mostly to show my mum whos an ex nurse though that was causing me pain saw this lump in photo just on edge not quite in or out never had this before

      if its a external hem and you have to get it cut out im going to lose my mind already having panic attacks from what ppl gave wrote about the recovery of that

      worst is i have a 4 yo son to look after i can have all this downtime

      So did your lump resolve or still there??

    • Posted

      Sounds like we had very similar discomfort before procedure.

      I do sense something there, still. Been a bit worse last two days but again i'm 4 weeks post banding.

      I'm also freaked out by the sheer thought of anything bigger than having banding done.

      The thing is of course that All the good outcomes, which is the vast majority, never goes online and writes in forums like this. Guess which stories we read? 😃

      Have you contacted the hospital and asked about your pain etc?

    • Edited

      Yeah I so try to keep in mind that the ppl who are doing ok arent online googling this.

      Im trying to reassure myself it can be worse and from pics ive seen online it definitely can. praying thats never going to happen to me

      We do sound like we have similar symptoms and experiences

      i called my specialists office and was told to take nurofen and panadol until i see him on Monday and if i am very concerned to go see a GP.

      So i just have to wait and manage. I took 1/4 panadine forte last night and actually had some sleep. so far pain better this morning but it usually gets worse when im doing things

      ive been googling not sure if thats a good thing . but my symptoms seen to match a thromb ex hem which can go away on its own? Praying this is the case.

      you never said if your lump resolved or not?

    • Posted

      Hi John

      Not sure why but my last reply is being moderated?

      I cant even recall what i wrote now

      My pain has settled but hesitant to do much so it doesnt flare up Praying doc has something positive to say tomorrow and its a minor post of complication which will resolve on its own soon(ish).

      Hope your symptoms are getting better with time.

    • Posted

      Let me know what your doc says, hopefully you are in less pain now.

      I'm actually going to see the doc again on wednesday, two days from now, as I got symptoms again.

      Quite annoying as I've been almost perfect regarding fibre, water and no straining when doing #2. (which is why I got this from the beginning, had for years but always internal only).

      I read that x percent needs to repeat the banding for optimal success, hoping this will resolve my symptoms which usually are mild but really really prey on my mind.

      I Google like crazy and only finds those horror stores. I agree with you.

      In general, Anyone getting 100% result and feeling great doesn't go online and write about it.

    • Posted

      Hi John

      Hope you are doing well

      My specialist said i had developed an Thrombosed hemorrhoid which can happen after banding. He said it should resolve on its own. (Lucky I took pic to show him because he said not much to see by the time I had an appoint with him 1 week after main pain)

      It has been feeling better. Thank goodness.

      However Im hesitant to do much as it aggravates it and becomes painful again.

      Im trying to be positive that it will go away on its own but sometimes i wonder what if i doesnt. That thought stresses me out.

      Im pretty good with my diet etc also so we must just be unlucky ones to be suffering from this.

      Hopefully we can both get better very soon.

      Let me know how you go. Youre brave going back for another round!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.