Tips for managing chronic Small Bowel Obstructions

Hi @meggy123 and welcome to Connect. It is tough when dealing with strictures from Crohn's. I did find some information on Mayo's website about diet after the diagnoses of Crohn's that may help reduce the days you have with terrible pain. If you scroll to the middle of the page where it says Lifestyle and Home Remedies there is a fair amount of information. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353309

Grandson has been hospitalized several times for small bowel obstruction. Discharge instructions say puréed foods. This is hard for an 18 year old young man. Any recipes would be much appreciated

Hi @vickicustodio and welcome! I noticed that you hadn't had any recipe suggestions so I thought I would connect you with others who have had chronic small bowel obstructions like @meggy123, @stuckonu, and @tigreyes2004

This site is actually really good for pureed foods. You cook the food like you normally would, add a couple of addition ingredients and then blend them.
https://www.oncolink.org/support/nutrition-and-cancer/recipes/dealing-with-side-effects/recipes-for-soft-pureed-foods
How is he currently doing?

Hi everyone. Im new to the groups. I came across the Mayo clinic name from another page. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2007 and in 2008 i had surgery. About 30cm of my small intestine was removed it was so inflamed. Since then i have had no active crohns inflammation but i do have a stricture where my surgery was. That started probably 6 or 7 years ago. I have the balloon treatment to open it every time i have terrible flare ups with it. I've been told that there isn't much that can be done for strictures. My last colonoscopy in June 2019 my GI opened the stricture up. 3 weeks ago i had the worst night of my life. I was throwing up the entire night and in terrible stomach pain. I was so dehydrated and dizzy. It wasn't until the morning when i could finally go to the bathroom i felt better. That day i had chunky carrots and other vegetables. I have been told that veggies and fruit raw or not soft enough and can trigger strictures to flare. Ive stayed away from fruit and veg because im terrified of that night happening again. I just don't know what to eat anymore and so afraid of that night happening again. Is there anything other than surgery that can help?

Balloon treatment once a year works for me. Also, fruits and vegetables, especially raw are a major problem. I have a great doctor who told me that you have to be careful of the skin of things like tomatoes, grapes, blueberries and also lettuce which can ball up ( even well chewed) and cause a blockage. IfI feel as if I might have a twisted intestine or a temporary blockage- I immediately switch to liquids only, especially warm ones and it usually works in a few hours. Everyone is different, so you have to experiment. BTW- mushrooms are a major no- no for me. Trial and error. Hope this helps

What is balloon treatment?

It is a procedure done to stretch strictures with a balloon inserted during a colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy to prevent a blockage. I have it done once a year and at that time they check for activity and polyps as well. My insurance requires it is done at the hospital, rather than at at the doctors office to be covered. I think I have been having this for almost 10 years and it has worked for me. I do not have active Crohn's, not on any medication. The stricture from 2 previous surgeries is my problem