Banding

[Ginnymax]

Hi all I'm getting my first lot of banding done tomorrow! Quiet nervous, I have 4 varices and consultant said I will probably have to go back 4 to 5 times . Can anyone please shed some light on the procedure.thank u

[AyrshireK]

When you are having banding it is usual to get sedated as the procedure takes a little longer than the simple camera endoscopy which I presume you have already had to identify you have the varices. It is the same process - take the throat spray (hold your breath whilst it is being sprayed and it should prevent your gag reflex kicking off), the sedation should take effect and you shouldn't be aware of what is going on. They use as a banding tool which has a slightly larger head than the camera and it can hold a maximum of 6 bands at a time. They pop the bands around the bulging varices and by cutting off their blood supply they will shrink.

You'll be out of the waiting area/day ward for all of 10 minutes and then you'll come back to sleep off your sedation - normally 2 - 3 hours. They will then want to make sure you can eat and drink before releasing you from hospital (ask for yoghurt not a sandwich). Be prepared for a bit of pain on eating and drinking for a few days after the banding as when food/drink passes the banded varices it can be pretty sore. Take a soft diet for several days.

My hubby has had 42 varices banded resulting in his becoming eradicated (for now). He was going for banding every 5-8 weeks for a couple of years following a massive upper GI bleed.

It's not the easiest or most pleasant of procedures but absolutely necessary.

Wishing you the very best of luck.

Katie xx

[Ginnymax in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie that's very helpful most appreciated,xxx

[bobbycat]

Hi

I have had three lots of banding, the first when I had a bleed, the others just to try and eradicate the other Varices. i had a small amount of throat spray each time and not much sedation as I am quite small and thin. I knew what was going on and didn't sleep like others seem to! It wasnt wonderful in parts tbh but not so bad either and I knew it was necessary and worth the short discomfort. I only stayed in recovery for an hour, wide awake! but given nothing to eat and then went home.. My problem was eating afterwards and I couldnt manage anything but soup and eggs and very easy food for a couple of weeks plus. Bread was a no no for me for ages and still find it hard to eat crusts but thats all.

In the end it is an important treatment so you will tolerate it and be very glad its been done! The relief is worth the peocedure, All the best

[Ginnymax in reply to bobbycat]

Thank you

[Daveangel]

I've had it done 4 times now. With a bit of sedation it's fine. The worst part is the rotting fish taste of the throat spray!

Personally, I had no discomfort afterwards, and could eat whatever I wanted. (Well, what my wife let's me eat nowadays!)

Don't worry, it'll be fine. 👍