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The Rafaelo Procedure

“A revolutionary, safe and effective treatment for the instant removal of piles.”

The Rafaelo Procedure is a relatively new, yet highly successful, treatment that utilises radio frequency technology to significantly reduce, and in most cases totally eliminate, the common symptoms of haemorrhoids (also known as piles). Similar radio frequency technology has been used successfully for many years to treat varicose veins, and this has now been adapted and modified for the specialised treatment of haemorrhoids. Becoming increasingly popular amongst Doctors and patients alike, The Rafaelo Procedure is now available across the UK at a range of private clinics and hospitals, and is covered by BUPA, CIGNA, AVIVA & WPA under code H5120. Rafaelo is also available on the NHS at UCLH, Queen Mary’s Hospital, Darent Valley Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Others will soon be offering it.

There are clear benefits of The Rafaelo Procedure over and beyond the traditional treatment options. The procedure is a minimally-invasive, day case procedure, which typically takes no longer than 15 minutes to perform. It can be carried out using only local anaesthetic (with or without sedation) or under general anaesthetic, if preferred. Most patients report very little pain or discomfort, during or post procedure, and are able to resume their regular daily activities very soon after treatment. Too many people literally sit on their haemorrhoids hoping they will go away on their own, usually because they have heard the horror stories of the discomfort suffered by those who have had invasive surgery such as a Haemorrhoidectomy. Sometimes your piles will resolve simply by change of diet and lifestyle but generally waiting will see them worsen and, if you wait too long, your treatment options may be limited to surgery. Ask today to be referred to a Rafaelo Consultant and you might find that treatment is more bearable than you think!

Find Out More About The Rafaelo Procedure
BMI Healthcare
BUPA Healthcare

Leading UK specialists and clinics

Treatment by leading colorectal surgeons.  Find a clinic today and get treated at a place and time to suit you.

Tried, tested & proven relief

Thousands of successful treatments completed.  Patients typically report immediate cessation of symptoms.

Same day, walk-in, walk-out treatment

Relatively painless, local anaesthetic treatment.  Return to a haemorrhoid-free lifestyle almost immediately.

Find A Clinic For The Rafaelo Procedure

Are you sitting comfortably?

No? Then read on, you’re not alone!

  • More than 80% of us will suffer from haemorrhoids (piles) at some point in our lives

  • It is estimated that in excess of 40,000 treatments for piles take place annually in the UK alone

  • Piles are associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels in and around the anus which become swollen, inflamed and painful

  • Piles have multiple causes and affect adult men and women of all ages

  • Besides pain and discomfort, piles often cause embarrassment and loss of self-confidence

  • Piles are graded in severity on a scale of 1 to 4. Treatments vary from grade to grade

  • Treatments range from over the counter creams to full surgery carried out under general anaesthetic

I had three large grade 3 prolapsing haemorrhoids. I’d had them for about ten years, and in the last four years they had become really problematic. Two sessions of rubber band ligation had not helped, and they were now too large to be eligible for a third.

I was preparing myself for the possibility of a haemorrhoidectomy when I found out about the Rafaelo procedure. Upon enquiry I was very quickly seen by Mr Amin Haji at the Whitely Clinic. (I should note that my GP was able to refer me to another consultant, further away, who could undertake the procedure on the NHS. However because the haemorrhoids were by now causing me to miss work, and I chose to pay and go privately in order to be seen quickly).

 The procedure itself was uncomfortable but less painful than the banding had been. In fact the initial sigmoidoscopy (examination with a camera) was more uncomfortable than the procedure. I was able to go about my business the next day, and went to several meetings in different parts of London.

Seven days after the procedure I felt completely normal after a bowel movement. The sense of freedom was incredible. This is what other people must feel like!

A few days went by and symptoms returned. Oh no! Was I the only person for whom the Rafaelo hadn’t worked? Thankfully, no. Due to the size of the haemorrhoids it seems the healing process was taking a little longer. A further examination four weeks after the procedure revealed that one haemorrhoid had not healed, but had been reduced in size enough that a final banding session would remove it.

However, at the eight week follow up, more good news. The final troublesome haemorrhoid had healed completely and I was now completely asymptomatic. I am delighted and hugely grateful to be able to have a normal life after struggling for so long, and without the need for very painful surgery.

Mr D HPatient

After giving birth to three children, I have been plagued with very uncomfortable bleeding piles. I have had banding twice, but unfortunately this did not cure them. I was listed for a conventional haemorrhoidectomy, but having read about the long recovery period and painful operation, I decided to look for an alternative solution. I read about the revolutionary Rafaelo technique in a national newspaper and was delighted to learn that my local BMI hospital was offering the procedure. After a reassuring consultation with Mr Saeed, I was booked in for my procedure as a day case. I had no pain at all after the operation and the relief from piles was immediate. I was even able to go to work the next day. I would not hesitate to recommend the procedure. I now have no piles so have no symptoms – fantastic!

Mrs PPatient, Cheshire

“I was suffering from Haemorrhoids following my pregnancy and at the beginning of 2016 I went to see Mr Nick West at Spire St. Anthony’s Hospital. He offered me various treatment options including the new Rafaelo Procedure, which I decided to go for as it didn’t involve surgery and I was due to go on holiday shortly afterwards. I had to ask him following the procedure if he had actually done anything as I couldn’t feel a thing. I went away and everything was fine, no itching, no bleeding and no pain. I haven’t suffered any symptoms since and I am delighted. “

Ms. E MorrisonPatient

“I have been suffering from Haemorrhoids for almost 20 years and I couldn’t bear it any longer. I booked in for a HALO procedure but I was very nervous as I really didn’t want surgery. As my treatment date approached, I read about The Rafaelo Procedure. It sounded too good to be true but I simply had to find out more about it. I went to see a colorectal surgeon, Mr Nick West, at Spire St. Anthony’s – he recommended The Rafaelo Procedure and I trusted him. I cancelled the HALO and I haven’t looked back – it was a few months ago now but I can remember that there was no pain during or after the procedure and now I am fully cured. I am over the moon!”

Mrs PatelPatient

“Having suffered with the pain and discomfort for years, I was somewhat sceptical about this new treatment.  However, my haemorrhoids were treated instantly within one session, and I left the clinic ready to go back to work the same afternoon.  I still can’t quite believe how painless and straightforward The Rafaelo Procedure was. The staff put me at ease instantly and the whole thing was over before I knew it. I would highly recommend The Rafaelo Procedure to anyone suffering the discomfort and anxiety of piles”

Mrs NichollsPatient

“I am 72 years of age and have suffered from haemorrhoids on and off for the past 25 years. I have tried banding on numerous occasions but whilst it seemed to work at the time, it was only temporary and the problems of bleeding and itching returned each time. I had a consultation with Mr Nick West at Spire St. Anthony’s in March 2016 who mentioned that he was due to start offering The Rafaelo Procedure and I jumped at the opportunity. I wouldn’t say it was pain free but it was completely tolerable with very little, if any, discomfort afterwards. Since then I have had no symptoms whatsoever, I am utterly delighted and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Rafaelo Procedure to others.”

Mr G RawlinsonPatient

Mrs Elliott (86) was treated for her prolapsing haemorrhoids by Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Mr Nick West, having suffered on and off for the past 63 years but got to the stage where her symptoms were no longer manageable. She read about Rafaelo in the Daily Mail and did her own research on the internet. Mrs Elliott says that the procedure itself “was totally comfortable” and she is now fully cured of her symptoms. She says that “The Rafaelo Procedure is ‘absolutely life changing’ and would recommend it to anyone”

Mrs ElliottPatient

“I am utterly delighted with my result so far – miraculous!!  

I recently heard about the Rafaelo Method for treating haemorrhoids and having experienced a few years of discomfort with these horrid things I was very interested in finding out more about it.  I was informed that it was completely different from the conventional surgical removal which friends had warned was a most unpleasant and painful experience with a 3-week recovery.

I made an appointment with Mr. Amin, a consultant at the Spire Hospital in Harpenden.  He explained the Rafaelo Method to me in great detail and carried out this procedure on me five days later using only local anaesthesia with mild sedation.  It took about 15 minutes from start to finish and I went home a couple of hours later with hardly any discomfort.

Three days post-op I can honestly say that I have more-or-less forgotten that I have had anything done!  I have had no “down-time” whatsoever and overall am delighted with the result.  

I would highly recommend the Rafaelo Method to anyone with troublesome haemorrhoids.  It’s brilliant!”

Mrs R S (London)Patient

“I have suffered from haemorrhoids for about 10 years and previously tried banding (rather painful) and sclerotherapy (treatment over a three month period), neither of which resolved the problem. I am now delighted that the Rafaelo procedure has completely removed both my haemorrhoids.

The Rafaelo procedure takes only a few minutes and is relatively painless, no more than a few pinpricks of a local anaesthetic.  I was offered a sedative but declined this as I was driving – with hindsight I would recommend taking the sedative so that you relax as much as possible. I experienced a little discomfort periodically for a couple of weeks after the procedure but this was easily resolved with a couple of paracetamol. 

My treatment at Spire Harpenden was excellent. Everything was carefully explained and the staff were friendly and efficient. 

 I think the Rafaelo procedure represents a genuine breakthrough in the treatment of haemorrhoids and I thoroughly recommend Mr Amin and his team at Spire Harpenden.”

Anon, LondonPatient

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What are Haemorrhoids (Piles)?

Haemorrhoids are also known as piles. Haemorrhoids or piles are swollen vascular cushions (blood vessels) around or just inside the anal canal (back passage). There are two kinds of haemorrhoid, internal and external. They are graded from 1-4, all can create similar symptoms of pain, itchiness, discharge and bleeding but some have an external component whereas others don’t. If the external element is persistent then it would be classed as Grade 4. Others we be classed between Grade 1 and Grade 3, usually dependent upon their symptoms and the extent of the external component. Haemorrhoids are caused by naturally occurring haemorrhoidal cushions, which are normal anatomical structures. They are associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels in and around the anus. This can cause the blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. Other causes of haemorrhoids or piles are obesity, pregnancy and childbirth, constipation and straining or heavy lifting can all contribute to the enlargement of these cushions. 80% of people will experience the pain and discomfort of haemorrhoids or piles at some point in our lives. Approximations suggest that 100,000s of patients are suffering in the UK at any one time. Half of us will experience an issue with haemorrhoids at some point in our lives and it can be very debilitating.

What Treatments are Available?

Often your GP will advise initially to pay attention to your diet and lifestyle as this might improve your symptoms. They may prescribe creams, of which there are many, but more often than not these merely act as temporary relief. Once it is determined that further invention is required, there are various treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical options include Banding and Injection Sclerotherapy, and the surgical options include Arterial Ligation and Haemorrhoidectomy. All have their successes and failures and certainly range in terms of downtime and post-operative discomfort. More recently (2016) a new treatment was introduced in the UK which improves on the recurrence rates suffered by Banding and Injections and significantly reduces the pain suffered by most people following a Haemorrhoidectomy. This is The Rafaelo Procedure.

FInd Out More About Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Learn About The Other Available Treatments

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