2820 Mt. Rushmore Road
Rapid City, SD 57701
During variceal banding, a doctor uses an endoscope to place an elastic ring that looks like a rubber band around an enlarged vein. Banding the vein in this manner will cut off blood flow through the vein. It may be difficult to use this procedure while someone is actively bleeding because the device used to place the bands obscures the doctor's vision.
Variceal banding stops blood from leaking from your varices, which significantly lowers the risk of serious health problems. This type of procedure involves the use of endoscopy to place bands around the affected veins. These bands cut off blood flow to these veins, which stops bleeding from occurring. Since variceal bleeding can occur more than once, some patients will need to have this procedure done again. In some cases, this banding procedure is combined with other treatments to help stop bleeding in the digestive tract.
Your provider will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your procedure.
Variceal banding is a non-invasive procedure that involves the use of endoscopy. These endoscopic techniques involve placing a tiny camera, instruments, and rings inside your digestive tract. The camera helps doctors see inside the affected area in order to put the rings around your affected veins. Since this is a non-invasive procedure, your chance for certain complications, such as infections and bleeding, is low.
Since variceal banding is a non-invasive procedure, there is little downtime associated with it. Keep in mind that it’s important to have follow-up appointments scheduled to check for additional bleeding since variceal bleeding can happen again. However, patients typically have fewer occurrences of recurring bleeding after having variceal banding done.
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room. Here you will be monitored until the effects of the medications have worn off. After the days or weeks of your procedure, the tissue that was banded will slough off. Inform your doctor if any of the following occurs such as; persistent pain, bleeding, bloody bowel movement, difficulty swallowing, and nausea and vomiting.