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

They cause partial blockage at this point. Small amounts of food cause bouts of saliva and dry heaving shortly after eating. Also bloating and very uncomfortable feeling. However because of pandemic, this is not environment to travel to hospital

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.

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.

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?

I have read that there are certain Yoga positions that can help by stretching the abdomen and the adhesions. I have not tried it yet because I wanted to discuss it with my surgical oncologist first. I have talked to a Yoga instructor and although he had not heard of it being used specifically for this purpose, after explaining the situation further, he also agreed that it could help. Stay tuned.

Hi, I’m so sorry for your struggles right now. I know you’re in pain and scared. I’m so sorry.

I have had two bowel obstructions, last year in 2022 and the year before that. My first surgery was when I was minutes old and I’ve had about 9 or 10 bowel or pelvic obstructions, with my most recent surgery a hysterectomy in 2022 (with HOURS of adhesion removal) and an obstruction a few months after that. I’m just now starting a treatment plan with my doctors, I have multiple specialists since this is taking over my life. I also have scar tissue that was very severe on my ureters (he removed what he could) , which is called “retroperitoneal fibrosis” and can cause urine to back up and cause kidney damage and kidney failure. I’m waiting for my labs to see what’s going on, kidney wise.

I deal with severe abdominal pain at times, I’m sure you can relate. I’m working part time now from full time and the pain can be awful and so hard to deal with.

I just started acupuncture which apparently is supposed to help, although I’m not sure if it’s helpful in the “severe” adhesions case. I also just got a script for an “Alpha-Stim” which is electrical and supposed to help with pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia. We will see if it helps at all. I’m hoping it does. I also use medical marijuana and CBD, both flower and edibles. For me, it’s a lifesaver.

I’ll be praying for you. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you, I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with these bowel obstructions.

I am catching up with these posts; I think there have been multiple threads discussing SBOs, and what to do about them. I have gone to a pelvic floor specialist, who has suggested other PTs, since she did not feel that she could be helpful. I will look into her recommendations... Through a chain of recommendations, it has been suggested that I consider consulting a surgeon for lysis of adhesions, which, as you can imagine, scares me. Meanwhile, I watch what I eat all the time... I have occasional "pre obstruction warning pains" when I know I may be headed for trouble and immediately stop eating solids. This is not fun, but I am not sure what else to do. ... I wish all my fellow sufferers good luck and I will let you know if I find abdominal massage successful... if I can find the right person to do it.

Unfortunately, if they try surgery to remove your adhesions, it will just create more. After weight loss surgery, gallbladder removal and internal hernia surgery, I had so many adhesions that a reconstructive surgery was done. It took 7 hours and 4 pints of blood. I haven’t had a bowel obstruction since then.

Hello everyone. I had a bowel obstruction nine years ago because of malrotation of the intestines, which required Ladd's band surgery. It is, esentially, a birth defect (undetected until my late 50's). I have been hospitalized four times since then, not requiring surgery. But oh, the pain! And the ng tube! I just got out of the hospital five days ago and am now afraid to eat anything other than jello, hard boiled eggs, cream of wheat and Ensure - in very small amounts at a time. Has anyone else experienced malrotation, and if so, how are you doing? I am afraid this is going to be a lifelong struggle.