Over 35 years of expert care
Best Clinic Group UK & Trustpilot 5 star
Nationwide Clinics
Award winning treatment plans
Haemorrhoids
The revolutionary Rafaelo® procedure is a safe and reliable new treatment for haemorrhoids removal with lasting results
What's on this page
Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Advisory Committee for The Private Clinic.
Last Reviewed May 18th 2021
Related Treatments
Although haemorrhoids are actually very common and their symptoms do often disappear on their own after a few days, there are cases where symptoms such as soreness and bleeding can become severe and unfortunately don’t go away. In these cases haemorrhoid removal treatment is needed to treat them.
Haemorrhoids or piles are vascular structures in the anus. When these structures become swollen they can cause a huge amount of discomfort with symptoms including, but not limited too; itchiness, bleeding and soreness.
There are 4 clinical grades of Haemorrhoids.
- 1st Degree – No prolapse, just prominent blood vessels. At this stage you may not be feeling any pain but in some cases a mild discomfort and itching can be present.
- 2nd Degree – Prolapse emerges with strain but spontaneously reduces and returns. You will most likely be experiencing pain and irritation at this stage.
- 3rd Degree – Prolapse emerges with strain and needs to be pushed back in. Haemorrhoids at this stage will be causing a high level of discomfort, pain and may also be bleeding too.
- 4th Degree – Prolapse emerges and cannot be reduced or pushed in. At this stage you will be in a lot of pain and will be prone to bleeding.
They are very common with up to 50% of the population potentially suffering from symptomatic haemorrhoids at some point in their lives (source: Haemorrhoids: diagnosis and management. Am Surg 75 (8): 635–42). The root cause of haemorrhoids is down to increased pressure in the abdomen which can be the result of a variety of factors including chronic diarrhoea or constipation, pregnancy, obesity, low fibre diets and genetics.
“Piles surgery has traditionally been a painful and highly morbid operation. However, Rafaelo ® has turned this on its head. The immediate advantage is the ability to avoid a general anaesthetic which allows the patient to effectively walk in and walk out of the clinic following treatment. My own patients have had very little in the way of discomfort and initial follow-up results are very pleasing both from a clinical response to treatment and from patient feedback”. – Mr Amit Patel, Consultant Laparoscopic General and Colorectal Surgeon, BSc, MD, MBBS, FRCS (Plast.) GMC Number: 4737010
For many, the condition can be treated with over the counter treatments, GP prescribed medication or a change of diet but for many haemorrhoids can go on left untreated needing surgical treatment.
Traditionally surgical treatment is under general anaesthetic and is known to have a lengthy and painful recovery period lasting up to four-weeks.
The revolutionary Rafaelo® procedure is a safe and reliable new treatment for haemorrhoids removal with lasting results as seen in The Daily Mail.
Procedure Time
15 mins
Support Garment
None
Driving
1 Day
Back to Work
1 - 2 days
Recovery Time
1 - 2 weeks
Anaesthetic Type
Local anaesthetic
Washing
Immediately
Up & Mobile
Immediately
Exercise
1 - 7 days
Final Results
1 - 2 weeks
Hospital Stay
None, daycase
Sleeping
n/a
Sexual Activity
1 - 7 days
Travel
1 - 2 weeks
Why choose The Private Clinic for Haemorrhoid removal treatment?
- 15 Minute walk in walk out procedure.
- Initial consultation over the phone with the Consultant surgeon.
- Performed under local anaesthetic.
- Almost painless procedure.
- Symptoms instantly reduced.
- Minimal post-operative pain and aftercare.
- Able to return to daily activities immediately.
- Minimal chance of recurrence.
- No overnight stay.
- Treatment carried out in our discreet Birmingham Private clinic with no need to travel to a hospital.
- 24 hour patient helpline direct to your nursing team and surgeon, which means should you have any concern we are here to help.
- Dedicated post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon and nursing team. We are here to give you the best experience.
- The Private Clinic unique comprehensive Patient Guide on Haemorrhoids.
- Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound confidence.
as seen in
What to Expect
The Haemorrhoids Removal Treatment
The Rafaelo® procedure is a safe and effective treatment for internal haemorrhoids removal. The treatment uses well established radio frequency technology that is used in the treatment of varicose veins.
The consultant will inject the base of the haemorrhoid with local anaesthetic via an anoscope. Once numb a metal probe will be inserted into each haemorrhoid and radio frequency energy is applied to which reduces the blood flow to the area forcing it to shrink and eventually disappear. Once they disappear, a scar or mucous membrane will cover the old site of the haemorrhoid or piles.
The procedure and can be performed on all internal grade 1-3 haemorrhoids. Grade 4 haemorrhoids are usually external haemorrhoids at this stage and are not suitable for the Rafaelo® procedure due to the nervous system. If there is an internal part of a grade 4 haemorrhoid, the Rafaelo haemorrhoids removal procedure can be used to reduce and improve symptoms. This is often enough and a good alternative rather than going through very painful surgery.
The haemorrhoid treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to avoid any discomfort and patients are able to return home afterwards with minimal post-operative pain.
After Haemorrhoids Removal Treatment
There is no downtime after the treatment. With the Rafaelo® haemorrhoid procedure you can get back to normal activities right away.
The Haemorrhoids Removal Treatment
The Rafaelo® procedure is a safe and effective treatment for internal haemorrhoids removal. The treatment uses well established radio frequency technology that is used in the treatment of varicose veins.
The consultant will inject the base of the haemorrhoid with local anaesthetic via an anoscope. Once numb a metal probe will be inserted into each haemorrhoid and radio frequency energy is applied to which reduces the blood flow to the area forcing it to shrink and eventually disappear. Once they disappear, a scar or mucous membrane will cover the old site of the haemorrhoid or piles.
The procedure and can be performed on all internal grade 1-3 haemorrhoids. Grade 4 haemorrhoids are usually external haemorrhoids at this stage and are not suitable for the Rafaelo® procedure due to the nervous system. If there is an internal part of a grade 4 haemorrhoid, the Rafaelo haemorrhoids removal procedure can be used to reduce and improve symptoms. This is often enough and a good alternative rather than going through very painful surgery.
The haemorrhoid treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to avoid any discomfort and patients are able to return home afterwards with minimal post-operative pain.
After Haemorrhoids Removal Treatment
There is no downtime after the treatment. With the Rafaelo® haemorrhoid procedure you can get back to normal activities right away.
FAQs
There are 4 clinical grades of Haemorrhoids and the treatment is ideal for treating 1-3 but grade 4 may only be reduced and require further surgery. Your surgeon will be able to best advise you during a consultation.
Banding is a common technique used for treating grade 1-2 haemorrhoids. The technique involves attaching a small elastic band around the base of the haemorrhoid which reduces the blood supply resulting in it falling away after a week or so. The application of these bands can be very painful and recurrence rates are high so it is likely you will need further treatment.
Other treatments include a surgical haemorrhoidectomy which is when the haemorrhoids are cut out under general anaesthetic. Patients have been known to experience significant pain after the operation which will last for a few weeks after the procedure and you will need to take a week or two off work to recover.
The Rafaelo® procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic as a walk in walk out procedure. There is no downtime and you will be able to return to daily activities immediately with minimal post-operative pain.
You should notice your symptoms improving almost immediately. The recovery time from the procedure normally takes between one to seven days, but is generally less. This depends on the severity of the haemorrhoids. You will be seen again in clinic between 6 and 8 weeks after the procedure.
You will be given painkillers to take home with you after the procedure.
Ensure you have plenty high-fibre foods as part of your diet, drink plenty of water or similar fluids, always go to the toilet when you need to, avoid excessive pushing or straining when passing a stool, take part in regular exercise, avoid sitting for extended periods and ask your GP about fibre supplements if required.
Why Choose The Private Clinic
- Expert Cosmetic surgeons, see our before and after results here.
- We have state of the art hospital facilities.
Our Clinics
Birmingham
Patient Stories
Outstanding care, patient satisfaction and results mean everything to The Private Clinic Team
Our reputation for excellent care is second to none. See what some of our patients have had to say about our Breast Auto-Augmentation procedures.
Lucy
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
Lucy
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
Lucy
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
Lucy
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
- Surgery Type: Breast Augmentation
Meet our Medical Experts
We are the UK’s leading cosmetic group and have some of the most experienced surgeons in the country working with us.
Mr Amit Patel joins us at our Birmingham Haemorrhoid clinic to also offer the Rafaelo® haemorrhoid Removal Procedure. Mr Patel undertook the first cohort of Rafaelo® patients in the West Midlands and is extremely excited about being able to offer this revolutionary state of the art technology for the management of haemorrhoids and is very confident that over time this will become a gold standard technique.
Mr Amit Patel
BSc, MD, MBBS – University of London (2000), FRCS (Plast.)
GMC Number: 4737010
Ready to begin your journey?
Come and see our expert surgeons to discuss the best options to achieve the shape that you want. Book a consultation and take that first step.
Talk to an expert 0203 3256555
Ask us a question
