a banding apparatus and method . one embodiment is a unitary or integrated hemorrhoidal single hand - held and single hand - operated ligator , which can , in some embodiments , enable direct visualization and release of multiple bands . the ligator has a gun - shaped handle extending from a vacuum generating trigger tube , with a fixed band bearing barrel extending from the vacuum generating trigger tube . a vacuum generating tube extends through the band bearing barrel from the rear of the gun ligator to the band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun , and is in air movement communication with the vacuum generating tube and band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun . a band actuating barrel is threadably mounted to surround a portion of the band bearing barrel , and rotation of the barrel cause the barrel to move laterally and force one or more ligating bands along and off of the band bearing barrel end . a light source can be included to illuminate the band bearing barrel end . most components are made of nearly transparent . durable , lightweight , recyclable plastic , such as polypropylene ; and with such components the operator can see through the gun components and observe the material , such as a hemorrhoid , to be ligated .