Reoccurring Bowel Obstructions due to adhesions

Posted by elewis23 @elewis23, Feb 8, 2021

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?

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

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 12, 2021

In reply to @carlwgordon "How do you do the massage could you decribe it. I have had adhesion surgery but..." + (show)

Hello @carlwgordon

You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever seen a pelvic floor therapist. These therapists are specially trained to help with elimination problems, either urinary or bowel-related. They can give you excellent suggestions for dealing with constipation with exercises, breathing techniques, and abdominal massage.

Might you consider asking for a referral to one of these therapists?

Keith Moon | @jcarndt | Feb 13, 2021

In reply to @thull "From 1/24/2018 to 3/1/2019, I had 5 abdominal surgeries due to diverticulitis. After the 1st surgery,..." + (show)

@thull

From 1/24/2018 to 3/1/2019, I had 5 abdominal surgeries due to diverticulitis. After the 1st surgery, major bowel blockage due to adhesions. At that point, I had a temporary colostomy for 6 months. During the reversal surgery, another blockage due to adhesions. I swelled up so bad, I could feel my intestines bubbling in the small of my back. They opened me up again to try and get to the blockage but the surgeon said there were so many adhesions, it looked like glue had been poured over my intestines. I went home after 17 days in the hospital with a PICC line and on TPN because I could not eat anything. I did massage on my abdomen and it seemed to help. After about 3 weeks, everything cleared. At this point I was finally able to get an appointment at Mayo here in Phoenix. They kept me on low residue diet.In Nov 2018, the diverticulitis came back and I had to go to ER. They sent me home on antibiotics, but 2 weeks later same issues and they admitted me. Got to go home for Christmas on clear liquids only, 4th surgery 1/7/2019. Blockage was so bad they couldn’t even get the contrast to go through during the radiology test.
They tried to do laparoscopy, but adhesions were so bad they had to open me up again. They laised the adhesions for over 2 hours, nicked the small bowel, had to repair that and ended up doing Deloyers’s procedure on large intestine. So thankful I was at Mayo with a Colorectal surgeon. If I had been at the old hospital with a general surgeon, I probably would have ended up with a permanent colostomy.
5th surgery was to fix area where the colostomy had been because the 4th surgery caused the area to pull and buckle and become uncomfortable.
I still do massage on my abdomen every day and have not had any further blockage issues. Staying on low residue diet as well, since all the surgeries have now caused gastroparesis. I don’t eat anything that is hard to digest, and eat small amounts of food at a time. If I eat too much, I get really sick to my stomach and vomit.
I started doing the massage because I was doing research and was looking at the Clear Passages webpage.

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Can I ask how you learned to do the massage for abdominal adhesions on the Clear Passages webpage ? I can't find it anywhere and am desperate for some relief. I've had two bowel resections due to Crohn's disease, and have lots of scar tissue which is causing more and more problems which are getting worse by the day. SIBO symptoms, chronic constipation, etc. I thought about contacting Clear Passages but I'm going to assume the cost is astronomical.

carlwgordon | @carlwgordon | Feb 13, 2021

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @carlwgordon You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever..." + (show)

Thanks ill check it out

carlwgordon | @carlwgordon | Feb 13, 2021

In reply to @carlwgordon "Thanks ill check it out" + (show)

Actually i ask someone else forum and he told me he use the palm of hie hand in circles. I also look on you tube. Goodluck

thull | @thull | Feb 13, 2021

In reply to @jcarndt "Can I ask how you learned to do the massage for abdominal adhesions on the Clear..." + (show)

I was looking them up and just really just started doing the circles with the heel of my hands, and putting pressure that was tolerable. I had watched some videos on a website. I too was concerned about the cost and thought I will have to try myself and see if it helps and it did. While I do the abdominal massage, I take cleansing breaths and in my mind picture the adhesions letting go.

hmchamlake | @hmchamlake | Feb 14, 2021

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @carlwgordon You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever..." + (show)

yes please

mfratt | @mfratt | May 21, 2021

I was not warned of adhesions in the past and was nieve of what would occur. I will have it done somewhere because it involves quality of life. Need a good surgeon.

vayankee | @vayankee | May 10, 2022

I also have had a bloating problem that I think is due to scar tissue on muscles and/or connective tissue near the lower right intestines. Gastro docs (5 seen) apparently don't deal with such things. I stumbled on the topic of scar tissue when seeing a specialist in physical medicine. How to treat internal scar tissue is where I am at now.

Unfortunately, even mild pressing in the area "triggers" more bacteria/gas in the small intestine, I believe, or rather, that is what happens. I can reduce that problem by drinking ginger ale and then putting a cold compress on the area where the initial strain/injury occurred.

tennisfan | @tennisfan | Jan 22, 2023

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @carlwgordon You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever..." + (show)

I have had four bowl reactions and am just now experiencing obstructions. I have had tow episodes in the last six months.

I have heard in several places that there are certain yoga positions that are helpful. I am waiting to join a class to see if it is helpful. I would also suggest a low residue diet and small portion size at meal time. Sean’s to help.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 22, 2023

Hello @tennisfan and welcome to Mayo Connect. I saw your message in another discussion group and thought that this discussion group would be a good place for you to connect with others who have also had adhesions from surgeries.

Could you share a little about when your surgery(s) occurred and how the adhesions have been treated by your medical team? Have you had problems with eating and/or weight loss as well?

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