Surgical options to prevent SBO from Adhesions

Hi @po2ter , and welcome to Connect. I am glad to meet you. You are so, so wise to educate yourself before another ER visit.

I can speak to being a Mayo Clinic patient. My life is in their hands, so I am a bit biased! 😀 They are conservative in their approach and aggressively take action once they are confident. I trust my doctors. I am on a long haul and “lifestyle as medicine” has become my mantra.

-Researching GI programs may help: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery
-You can read more about Mayo’s general approach to bowel obstructions here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intestinal-obstruction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351465
-Here, what other Connect members are discussing about SBO: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/
- Pursue an appointment at Mayo Clinic: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

How are you feeling?

I have the same issue and I want a solution not a wait and see approach. Have you had any success with getting answers yet?

Hi @fredsolman - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Makes sense that you'd be looking for a solution and not a wait and see approach.

Wondering if your comment about having the same issue and about any success getting answers yet was directed to @po2ter or to @jlharsh?

Poter responded to the initial comment that I responded too. But nobody has responded to my comment yet directly other than you.

Hi, @fredsolman. You mention having the same issue as @po2ter, dealing with adhesions causing bowel blockage problems. I am glad to hear you are choosing to pursue avoiding an emergency and wanting to do what you can to take care of them sooner than later.

If you are comfortable sharing more about your situation, it may help others know how to comment.

What problems are your currently having? What have you tried, and what is your doctor recommending?

Update on my next steps.

CT scan was conclusive that the obstructions were caused by scar tissue & adhesions. Unless obstructions become more frequent (3x annually or 2X biannual) an exploratory surgical procedure is not recommended as they have a 20% rate of impacting the bowel itself. Conservative management will be the path forward which includes a low fiber diet & a daily dose of MiraLAX. Very thankful for the knowledgeable & caring physicians at the Mayo Clinic for this prognosis.

Hi!
After I had a total colectomy with ileostomy and then a ileostomy reversal at the Mayo Clinic I ended up having back to back to back to back bowel obstructions. I was back home in DC and I literally would go to the ER, be admitted bc of a SBO obstruction for 2-3 days, go home for 2-3 days, and then go right back to the ER again with another bowel obstruction. This happened over 12 times. I ended flying back out to the Mayo Clinic bc the doctors at Johns Hopkins were at loss. After numerous tests there was no answer to what was causing my SBO’s. My life at the time (I was in my early 30’s and I’m now 41) was just being in the hospital, home for a day or two, and repeat. Since there was no possible solution provided to me I opted for a permanent ileostomy and it was performed by an amazing surgeon at INOVA Hospital who happened to by on my team at the Mayo Clinic when I had my total colectomy.
When I came out of what supposed to be surgery for a permanent ileostomy, I learned that ALL my SBO’s were being caused by scar tissue which can’t be seen on X-rays or MRI’s. I have NOT developed any more scar tissue and I’ve not had any SBO’s since.
I’m not sure what part of the country you are in but my surgeon in Virginia “saved my life” in many senses. Apparently scar tissue can create adhesions but the fact the you may have scar tissue from one surgery does not mean you’ll always develop scar tissue.