Tips for managing chronic Small Bowel Obstructions

Thank you @thull and @nancybev !! While I hate that anyone else is also dealing with this, it is nice to know that I'm not alone. @thull I'm sorry you are dealing with constipation issues 🙁 My surgeon put me on a bowel regimen to help with that. Basically a stool softener every day, benefiber once a day, and Miralax every 3 days. So far it seems to help. However I struggle with similar issues when I have had to use Zofran over a few days because of nausea or pain flare ups. It isn't fun.
As far as liquids go, I drink the clear therapeutic nutrition Ensures and they aren't bad but they only offer two flavors!! How do you get variety in what you do eat or drink?
I suppose, like anything, it will just take time to get used to it and then it will become routine.
Glad to know you all are here if I need you. Happy Holidays and no hospital trips for any of us!

@jljacoby , I'm glad you found this place! It can feel very lonely sometimes to deal with these stupid things.
You mentioned that you drink clear Ensures (I didn't even know they existed!). Are you limited to clear liquids at this point?

The clear Ensure isn't bad, but I agree it's too bad only the two flavors. I started taking a softener everyday and eating some higher fiber cereal to see if that helps. The next step for me will be to try the fiber supplement. Not having severe belly pain, just very difficult to go and that stresses me out because it makes my mind head to worst case scenario if you know what I mean. As far as variety, I am doing different flavors of Ensure, not all clears, and flavored waters , but as far as food goes, being super careful & boring. Lots of scrambled eggs, Mac & cheese, mashed potatos, chicken & salmon. And cookies.....I can eat cookies and chocolate! Haha

Not limited to clears but it is what the surgeon recommended. Higher calorie count and it has more nutrients that I am missing with my diet.

I spoke too soon about no more hospital stays. Ended up back at Mayo ER with the diverticulitis coming back with a vengeance. I was in from 12/13 to 12/20. Sent home on clear liquid diet, and will need more surgery. The previous surgical site where they did my reconnection is so narrowed by diverticulitis and scar tissue it is only about the width of a string of yarn. Only liquids can get thru. Right now surgery is scheduled for 1/18 with a colorectal surgeon at Mayo, but hoping they move it up as I feel like I am starving to death! They will remove the rest of the sigmoid and reconnect my colon above that down at my rectum. They advanced me to 1 serving a day of a full liquid, like a creamy soup or ice cream, but just had another enema with contrast yesterday and even after being on antibiotics for 3 weeks and counting, the narrow area is not any better, so it's back to just clear liquids. I have dropped another 5 pounds, down to 95. Not good.
One thing I discovered that I really like though is Boost Breeze, peach flavored. They gave it to me in the hospital and it is really good. I had to order it on Amazon, though. Could not find it in the stores.
250 calories and 9 grams of protein per 8 oz. I am trying to get in 4 a day along with broth, jello etc. As much as I am not looking forward to more surgery(this will be #4 in a year), I am ready for this to be over with. I am dreaming about eating food. Christmas was extremely difficult.

Hello @thull
I'm so sorry to hear that you need more surgery. I'm sure you are disappointed. I can certainly understand your wanting to get the surgery over. Please post again, especially if the surgery date is moved up. Praying that all goes well for you.

So surgeon called this morning, I am now on schedule for Monday 1/7 in the afternoon. The test wed showed the stricture has actually gotten worse from the 12/20 test. He thinks possibly the area (where they reconnected in July) is not getting good blood flow and said over time it can cause the area to close up. Hopefully they can cut it out and reconnect to healthier tissue because I do not want another temporary colostomy.

@thull , I am SO sorry to hear what you're dealing with! Please know that my thoughts will be with you for your upcoming surgery. It must be so frustrating.
I know that for the most part you're on clear liquids right now, but I've been meaning to post a recipe for my go-to homemade super-healthy smoothie, etc. It takes like 5 minutes to throw together, but it has a lot of protein and other nutrients, and it's delicious (it can be tweaked according to people's tastes), and it's cheaper than a lot of the pre-made stuff. It also contains a good amount of calories to help you put on weight (when you're able to drink them).
Another thing I often drink for breakfast is also easy and healthy, and has no fiber to cause issues. It's my own version of Indian lassi. I don't know if your doctor will give you the OK for it yet, but for when you (and others here) can try it:

1/2 cup Greek yogurt (with active cultures--I use Chobani)--I use plain, non-fat (easier to digest), but vanilla would be sweeter and also taste good

1/2 cup coconut, soy, or almond milk--I use the sweetened vanilla kind...cow's milk might be fine, but might be a little harder to digest

A few drops of vanilla

Spices (I use cardamom and turmeric, but nutmeg or cinnamon would be good too) and, if you want it sweeter, honey to taste

2-3 ice cubes

Throw it all in a blender and drink! It goes down easily, but it's a healthy start to the day (with a giant cup of coffee, of course! 🙂 ).

I'll post the other recipe at some point as well, if anyone is interested.

Again, best of luck and warm wishes to you, @thull !

P.S. Happy New Year to everyone!

Thank you! I will definitely have to try that once I am off clears! Right now, I just wish I could go to sleep and wake up and it was Monday already and time to get this over with. My husband had a dream last night that we were around somebody that had McDonalds French fries and I attaked them and started eating their fries!🍟🤣🤣I hope I don't get to that point!

I so appreciate the update, @thull. I'll be praying and thinking about you on Monday afternoon. I'm so glad to see that you got an earlier appointment. I can understand you preferring not to have another temporary colostomy.