Instructions
Post-Operative
Rubber Band Ligation of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid ligation usually takes 5 minutes per hemorrhoid. Up to three hemorrhoids may be ligated at one visit. Some patients may require 2 or more treatments at 2 to 4 week intervals.
After the Ligation:
- Keep yourself on a high fiber diet and take [_______] tablespoon(s) of Konsyl, Metamucil, or Citrucel so your bowel movements will be soft. (Consult with Dr. Kafka for appropriate dosage).
- Sit in a warm tub of water 2-3 times daily for the first 2-3 days, as needed to soothe the area.
- You may expect some pressure in the anal or rectal area for 1-3 days. This may give you the false feeling of needing to have a bowel movement. If you do not have a bowel movement, recognize what is going on and do not strain.
- Do not take any medication containing aspirin or similar medicines (see list) as these increase the risk of bleeding. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc) 1-3 tablets every 4 hours, as needed for pain.
- Rarely patients, especially males, will have difficulty urinating. If this occurs, try urinating while sitting in a warm bath. If you remain unable to urinate after 8 hours, please call Dr. Kafka.
- If you develop any of the following, call Dr. Kafka immediately:
- Fever
- Increasing or excessive pain
- Increasing or excessive bleeding
- Inability to urinate (see above)