Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery

Posted by Sandi @idnas, Mar 20, 2015

I just joined this site and am looking to see if anyone talks about bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery. I had successful sugery for colon cancer in 2008. About 6-months later I was hospitalized for 5 days with a bowel obstruction (that did resolve without further surgery). It took several months for my system to get back to "proper working order," but it did and for the past 5-years everything worked normally. Then, out of the blue, I had another bowel obstruction 2-months ago. I was hospitalized for 6-days, but again, no surgery. At this point I can only have bowel movements by taking Miralax and then I have diarrhea. I'm trying to eat a normal diet, just smaller amounts at a time and more frequently. I'm paranoid about another bowel obstruction, and also that my guy will not get back to normal. Has anyone had experience with this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

amyp304 | @amyp304 | Sep 9, 2020

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @amyp304 As I looked at the above website that you posted, it appears that you..." + (show)

I am waiting on avasive surgery date for removal of parastomal hernia (knuckle hernia) And have meal out in to strengthen my stomach walls so the intestine doesn’t keep trying to push thru. I am also going to wear hernia support belt ( which wasn't advised of doing after bladder removal) and surgeon is going to also do lysis scar tissue removal
The Parastomal hernia is pressing on uorostomy stoma and sometimes slows or blocks uterine output, within 24 hrs urine starts to crystallize and whala... UTI?!
I hope this helps and gives me some kinda relief
I will post again as I have know when surgery is scheduled
Thank all is you for all you’re support and kind words

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 10, 2020

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Hello @amyp304,

It is so good to hear from you again. I hope that the procedures that you are planning will give you some relief from the discomfort you are experiencing.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you again. Will you post when you have a surgery date?

amyp304 | @amyp304 | Sep 20, 2020

In reply to @martft4 "Please update after your appointment I totally understand your frustration with doctors and not getting answers...." + (show)

Surgery scheduled for Oct 7th.
Urologist surgeon will be also attending surgery just in case they are needed. I’m praying for the best of outcome.. but mostly relief of the pain. I am 50/50 on the whole mesh being put in for the support of the stomach muscle walls, but they assure me that mesh implant’s have changed a lot for the better
I’m 🙏🏼🙏🏼Ing They are correct in this information.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this kind of surgery? And what is the reality of positive for this kinda surgery?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 23, 2020

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Hello @amyp304,

I'm so glad that you have your surgery scheduled. I'm sure you will be glad to have this behind you so that you can begin to feel better.

Will you post again with any questions or concerns?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 9, 2020

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Hello @amyp304

I was thinking about you as I know you have worked really hard to obtain a diagnosis and treatment. You last posted that surgery was scheduled for October 7. I hope that went well.

I would love to hear from you. When you feel better, would you post an update?

sunshine4mary | @sunshine4mary | Oct 16, 2020

In reply to @loriel59 "I have been having bowel obstructions for almost 4 years. No one could tell me what..." + (show)

Same issues here. My question adhesions are incredibly painful. The attacks last a long time for me. Dr says go liquid but also states narcotic pain meds worsen this condition? Ive been hospitalized and given morphine drip. Everything I eat seems to hurt my tummy. How do we manage pain when it’s severe?

Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Oct 16, 2020

In reply to @sunshine4mary "Same issues here. My question adhesions are incredibly painful. The attacks last a long time for..." + (show)

Hello @sunshine4mary, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You’ve come to the right place to talk with people who have similar experiences with adhesions and pain and to get support from members who understand what you are going through. I'd like to invite @tigreyes2004, @thull, and @upartist to possibly share their situation with adhesions.

Mary, You stated that your attacks last for a long time, how long do they normally last and what are you currently taking, if anything, to combat the pain?

elewis23 | @elewis23 | Feb 8, 2021

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction caused from adhesions. I’m May of 2020 I had my second bowel obstruction due to adhesions, this surgery was much worse. My surgeon tried laparoscopy but had to stop and do a mid line incision because of how dense the adhesions were. She accidentally nicked my intestines which caused a infection, long story short I spent two months in the hospital. Fast forward to January 2021 I had appendicitis and once again another surgeon knowing I had adhesions tried avoiding the area we thought was the worst. But he made several small incisions and nicked my intestines. I ended up with abcsesses and spent almost a month in the hospital very sick.
My question is are their other people going through similar problems? Did anyone ever warn you about the possibility of adhesions when you had your first surgery? Does anyone know about anything that will help stop the recurring bowel obstructions caused by adhesions?

nova1976 | @nova1976 | Feb 8, 2021

In reply to @elewis23 "I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction..." + (show)

I had an RNY bypass in 2016 The first came the stricture. The stomach to intestine opening kept closing up. After six balloon endoscopes, the dr decided to install a stent for six weeks to keep that opening open. The stent broke loose and migrated into intestines. Two surgeries to get it out and intestines got perforated. Another to fix. Then the infection then the adhesions started. Three more surgeries the worst was when the adhesions were so dense that the appendix and illeocecal valve had to be removed However, I’m still here to write this so thank god for modern medicine
Adhesions are always a risk with abdominal surgery but most people never get such severe complications

elewis23 | @elewis23 | Feb 8, 2021

In reply to @nova1976 "I had an RNY bypass in 2016 The first came the stricture. The stomach to intestine..." + (show)

Thank you for your response, I agree I thank God every day for my time here on earth. I remind myself over and over I have two beautiful daughters and five beautiful grandkids ( including two sets of twins) that I adore. I had never heard of adhesions until I started having problems myself. I didn’t have a choice when I had my initial surgery I had a 15lb benign tumor in my uterus, that’s what started it all.
One more question do your adhesions cause pain on a daily basis? Mine do but I’ve learned to deal with them.

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