Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery

This thread is so old. Is there something more recent specific to living with adhesions? I have adhesions on my small intestine (due to total proctocollectomy surgery) that caused an obstruction, which resolved itself. The hospital surgeon told me to go on a low fiber diet. In a follow-up visit with another colorectal surgeon, about a year after the obstruction, the surgeon said I should be on a low fiber diet to prevent further obstructions. She didn't give me any documentation and googling around and reading low fiber books written by physicians and scientists, I have found completely contradictory information, such as avocados ok, no avocados, broccoli tops ok / no broccoli whatsoever, strawberries / no strawberries, any thing but nuts and seeds as long as total fiber per sitting 2 grams or less, quinoa is great, no quinoa, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a low fiber diet that has worked for them? (I also have to coordinate it with a low FODMAP diet).

I would just experiment, but since making the wrong choices could end up with me being hospitalized for an obstruction, I'm pretty terrified to do that.

Thanks for any advice.

Beginning in Sept. 2013 I started having horrendous abdominal attacks. Finally one landed me in the hospital with a small bowel obstruction.They inserted an NG tube and watched me for 3 1/2 days. Avoided surgery, but I have an attack almost every month now.
I went for over 2 years undiagnosed (saw 5 GI doctors). Finally in Oct. 2015 I went to the ER by ambulance, they finally found I have small bowel adhesions. This is what caused the obstruction.
I had 30+ pelvic radiations back in 2003.
They say surgery can cause even more adhesions. I'm at my wits end. Living in fear of an episode every day.
I even went to Florida (I live in NJ) for a week to try Clear Passage. It's a non invasive therapy for this problem. Sadly, I had an attack within 5 weeks of coming home. I will continue trying the exercises etc I learned, but I'm terribly disheartened.
Has anyone had any luck with anything?
By the way I've had 21 attacks in 32 months.

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?

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?

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.

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 appreciate you posting again, @tennisfan. If you read through some of the posts in this discussion group, you will see that many have used abdominal massages to help. There is a post by @thull which describes some of the massage techniques that she has used. Here is a link to her post, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/334661/. @thull has had several surgeries of the sigmoid colon and she knows a lot about adhesions. I hope that she will join you in discussing her experiences with you.

If you have any concerns, you might talk with your doctor first. Have you tried abdominal massage?

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?