Endoscopy frequency for varices/banding

[Robert1981]

Hi,

Appreciate hospital checks can’t happen every week/month etc, but in theory is there anything stopping an additional banding being required say 1 month after a previous banding?

Anyone know of why it’s an annual check? / nothing stopping another bleed 6 months after the previous one?

Thanks in advance

[AyrshireK]

During my hubbies first two years diagnosed he underwent screening and banding every 3 months at first and eventually when referred to Edinburgh his consultant there decided to get 'aggressive' with his varices and he was scoped and banded every 6 to 8 weeks. He'd had a massive bleed already - which was what flagged his liver disease.

If endoscopy has been clear and portal hypertension not obvious then there probably isn't the need for more than annual scopes - though you'd need to br aware of potential signs of bleeding so as to get timeous intervention.

Katie

[Yellowsydney]

After I had a massive variceal bleed I went in for banding every month for 6 months until they were under control, then I went every 2 months, 3 months until finally it became yearly. I also took a high dose of propanolol for the portal hypertension and lanzoprozol and Gaviscon to protect the varicies from stomach acid. Your consultant will determine how bad your varicies are and take the appropriate treatment.Hilary x

[BigJimmy45]

Hi Robert. The thing with varacies is you can’t feel them growing. They can just burst at anytime if the hypertension isn’t being treated. You can have gluing and banding many times but your consultant will advise what treatment is best if your liver has hardened and not dealing with flow of blood. They might do a TIPs procedure or other. As long as you know the signs as in black tarry stools and actually throwing up blood, make sure you count these as emergency situations and hope the ambulance gets there before you bleed out. Harsh reality but true. I was discharged once after having 10 days in hospital and had banding done. I literally got home and felt strange and light headed, next minute I had my head in the sink throwing up blood. I was back in hospital within a couple of hrs and needed transfusions 👍

[JoT2025]

Just had my 3rd banding since January after haemorrhage. Going back in 6 weeks for more. Guess it comes down to individual requirements. I had thrombin the first time but have not needed that since.