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You have had treatment for varicose veins.

The blood from the oesophagus and the stomach usually flows to the liver via veins. Veins are blood vessels. With some disorders, the blood can back up in the veins before the liver. If the blood backs up in the veins before the liver, the veins in the oesophagus and stomach can become enlarged. Veins like these are called varicose veins. These varicose veins may also bleed.

Your stomach was first operated on during a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy first involves making a small incision in the abdomen. A tube with a camera is pushed through this incision into the abdomen. This camera sends pictures of the inside of the abdomen to a screen. Tools such as forceps and scissors can be inserted through other small incisions in the abdomen. The operation involved then opening your abdomen via a larger incision.

Your varicose veins were tied off using a special rubber band. The purpose of the treatment is to remove the varicose veins.