Question:
HOW DO U PREVENT AND HOW DO U GET BOWEL OBSTRUCTION?
— KIM W. (posted on September 9, 2003)
September 9, 2003
Any type of abdominal surgery can result in adhesions (scar tissue) which
can cause an obstruction as the bowel can get "kinked" or wrapped
in or around the adhesion. There's nothing you can do to prevent them, and
they can happen anytime, even years after surgery.
— mom2jtx3
September 9, 2003
I just got home from having emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction. In
my case, the intestines had herniated and twisted at the RNY attachement
site and then scar tissue developed around it, squeezing it shut. Pain was
SEVERE and came on suddenly and without warning. The doctor said that
there was nothing that I did to cause it. Sometimes it just happens and
that it can happen again at any time. I am 11 weeks out from my Lap RNY
surgery and hoping to not have surgery again for a long time.
— Holly M.
September 9, 2003
I just came home from a 5 day stay in the hospital from a small obstruction
or kink in the lower intestines, near the bowel. Right at 3rd week post-op
I couldn't keep anything down. I was one day on pureed foods and couldn't
keep that down. From Thurs to Mon I threw up everything, which was
accompanied by what felt like severe heartburn. Mon I went to the hospital
and was severely dehydrated. After much fluid by IV, nothing to eat, and a
few GI tests, the problem seemed to be cleared up. Back on clear liquids on
Sat, and got to come home. Back to the start with clear liquids, etc. Of
course I'm now feeling much better, and my food cravings are there. I just
want some pasta, or tuna, or something other than just liquids. But I gotta
do what I gotta do. Surgery date 8/12/03, 311/276.
— Marika M.
September 9, 2003
I had what they called an "internal hernia." It came on suddenly
(I mean suddenly, one minute I was walking down the street and the next I
was doubled over in pain crying). My doc said it can happen because you
loose all the weight and as your body adjusts your intestines are floating
around in there and they can herniate. Along with having some scar tissue,
it just plain can happen. If it happens to you, get to a hospital pronto.
It can be life threatening.
— sandieguy
September 10, 2003
I had a bowel obstruction right after my surgery-- my intestine was
twisted. I had my open rny on 4-21, bowel obstruction on 4-25. I was
vomiting, severe cramps, pain, and couldn't even hold down liquids. My
surgeon said that there is nothing to prevent it, it is listed as a
surgical complication (less than 3% get one from the surgery), and it can
happen to anyone at any time. More details in my profile.
— Angela G.
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