Diseases & Conditions

Ask the doctor: Do I need hemorrhoid surgery?

Q.I have bleeding hemorrhoids, and my doctor recommends surgery. How do I know if this is really necessary?

If these steps do not work for you, or if a hemorrhoid has prolapsed (protruded), you may need a procedure. Two minimally invasive techniques—rubber-band ligation and laser, infrared, or bipolar coagulation—shrink internal hemorrhoids. They do not require anesthesia, but it can take two to four procedures to get rid of hemorrhoids. If you have hemorrhoids that are persistently painful, that protrude, or that return after minimally invasive procedures, you probably need surgery. Although hemorrhoidectomy requires general anesthesia and you'll need pain medication afterward, it cures roughly 95% of cases and has a very low complication rate.

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