I am vomiting blood. Should I book an appointment?

No. Vomiting blood or passing black stools is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital emergency straight away; banding can be done as an emergency treatment.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies. Most people need a few sessions a few weeks apart until the veins are gone or very small, followed by regular check-up endoscopies.

Does banding cure cirrhosis?

No. It treats the swollen veins and lowers the chance of bleeding. Treating the cause of the liver disease, and taking your liver medicines, is just as important.

Why do my veins keep coming back?

The pressure that caused them is still there while the liver is scarred, so new veins can form. That is why regular check-ups and medicines matter.

Can I stop my liver pressure tablets after banding?

Do not stop any liver medicine on your own. Some medicines are given to lower pressure in the liver veins, and they work together with banding.

Test or procedure

Variceal banding & glue

In liver cirrhosis, veins in the food pipe and stomach can swell (varices) and may burst, causing serious bleeding. Banding and glue treat these veins during an endoscopy, to stop bleeding or stop it from happening.

A quiet, prepared endoscopy room in morning light.

Duration15–30 minSedationSedation given

What it is

When the liver is scarred, blood struggles to flow through it and pressure builds up in the veins that drain the gut. Veins in the food pipe and stomach then swell and their walls become thin. In banding, small elastic bands are placed around these veins through an endoscope. The banded vein shrinks and the band falls off by itself within days, leaving a small ulcer that heals. Veins in the stomach are often treated instead by injecting a medical glue that seals them. Usually several sessions a few weeks apart are needed until the veins are gone or very small.

Why it is done

Large varices found on endoscopy, to prevent a first bleed
Active bleeding from varices, as an emergency treatment
After a variceal bleed, to prevent it from happening again
Varices in the stomach, which are usually treated with glue
Repeat sessions to clear remaining veins and regular checks afterwards

Before: how to prepare

Nothing to eat for 6–8 hours before the procedure. We will tell you until when you can take small sips of water.
You will usually need blood tests beforehand, such as blood counts and clotting tests.
Keep taking your liver medicines unless the doctor tells you otherwise.
Tell us in advance if you take blood thinners, aspirin or diabetes medicines. Do not stop any medicine on your own.
Bring previous endoscopy reports, scans, blood tests and a list of your medicines.
Come with an adult who can take you home, because you will have sedation.

Printable preparation guidePreparing for your upper GI endoscopy. Day-by-day steps, food lists and medicines to ask about.Read more

On the day

Check-in
The team reviews your blood tests, medicines and consent form, and places a small needle in a vein.
Sedation
You lie on your left side and receive sedation. Your breathing, pulse and oxygen are monitored throughout.
Finding the veins
An endoscope is passed through the mouth to look at the veins in the food pipe and stomach.
Banding or glue
Small bands are placed on the veins in the food pipe, or glue is injected into veins in the stomach.
Recovery
You rest until the sedation wears off, and the doctor explains what was done and when the next session is due.

After

Chest discomfort and difficulty or pain when swallowing are common for a day or two.
Have cool liquids and soft food, such as curd rice, idli or porridge, for the first day, then return to normal food as advised.
Take any medicines prescribed after the procedure, and keep taking your liver medicines.
Do not drive, ride a two-wheeler, operate machinery or sign important documents for the rest of the day.
Keep your follow-up dates; more sessions are usually needed.
Go to the nearest emergency straight away if you vomit blood, pass black stools, feel faint or dizzy, have severe chest pain, fever or new confusion.

Results. Dr. Tumma explains what she saw and how many bands or how much glue were used, straight after the procedure. She will plan the timing of your next session and follow-up endoscopies with you.

Risks, explained honestly

Common and mild

Chest discomfort for a day or two
Difficulty or pain when swallowing for a day or two
Sore throat and drowsiness from the sedation

Rare but serious

Bleeding from the small ulcers left when the bands fall off, usually within the first two weeks
Narrowing of the food pipe after many sessions, which can make swallowing difficult
With glue, the glue can rarely travel into the bloodstream to the lungs or elsewhere
A tear (perforation), infection, or a reaction to the sedation medicine, which are rare but serious