1. < Digestive Health

Any thoughts about recurring small bowel obstructions?

Posted by lisastoof @lisastoof, Mar 28, 2023

Hi! New here but hoping to get some support or answers. I am a 52 yo female. Recurrent SBO with decompression therapy resolving each time. I've had many abdominal surgeries which I'm sure have led to a belly full Of adhesions. I've had two bladder augmentations using my small
Bowel. Two vesico vaginal fistula repairs, two C-sections, appendectomy, ureters reimplanted several other surgeries. My cat scan shows closed loop obstructions in small bowel each time along with duodenal diverticulum, wall thickening throughout and my descending colon is almost prolapsing (in drs terms). My daughter has a master in dietetics and is very strict with what I eat so I'm following appropriate diet. I have an apt with colorectal surgeon next week. I'm scared to death as I feel like I have so many signs of colon cancer. Has anyone ever had surgery to remove adhesions? The hospital surgeons when I'm admitted say my bowel is being strangled by adhesions and I know more surgery causes this but I feel like that is the obvious? Any input support would be appreciated. I'm tired of going to the hospital and having an ng shoved down my nose and being miserable. Thank you in advance!

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susanh824 | @susanh824 | Mar 28, 2023

Like you, I have had many abdominal surgeries. I finally did have a seven hour surgery for adhesions. The surgeon did a great job, and it bought me about 20 years of relief. Unfortunately now I have developed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which sometimes happens in people who have had extensive abdominal surgeries, I also deal with chronic constipation. Still, I am happy I had those pain-free years. My surgery was done at OSU Wexner by M. Scott Melvin, MD.

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2 replies
lisastoof | @lisastoof | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @susanh824 "Like you, I have had many abdominal surgeries. I finally did have a seven hour surgery..." + (show)
@susanh824

Like you, I have had many abdominal surgeries. I finally did have a seven hour surgery for adhesions. The surgeon did a great job, and it bought me about 20 years of relief. Unfortunately now I have developed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which sometimes happens in people who have had extensive abdominal surgeries, I also deal with chronic constipation. Still, I am happy I had those pain-free years. My surgery was done at OSU Wexner by M. Scott Melvin, MD.

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Holy cow! I live in Hilliard so that's my area. I have two family members who work there. I'll have to talk to the surgeon about that Tuesday! Thank you for your response! Well wishes to you!

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susanh824 | @susanh824 | Mar 29, 2023

Wow - that is a coincidence! I hope he hasn’t retired. There are other good doctors there, too.

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lskoehl62 | @lskoehl62 | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @susanh824 "Like you, I have had many abdominal surgeries. I finally did have a seven hour surgery..." + (show)
@susanh824

Like you, I have had many abdominal surgeries. I finally did have a seven hour surgery for adhesions. The surgeon did a great job, and it bought me about 20 years of relief. Unfortunately now I have developed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which sometimes happens in people who have had extensive abdominal surgeries, I also deal with chronic constipation. Still, I am happy I had those pain-free years. My surgery was done at OSU Wexner by M. Scott Melvin, MD.

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I have had 3 C-sections, 2 incisional hernia repair, complete hysterectomy and gallbladder recovered. Now that I’m 61 I can’t have a bowl movement without taking laxatives, was on Linzess the highest dose for 3 months with no relief. I have pain every months below my ribs that feels like a rope is tied around me and someone is pulling it right, it last for about 5 minutes. I go to Ohio State in April to see a morbidly doctor

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1 reply
lisag03 | @lisag03 | Mar 30, 2023

Hello. I have also had a lot of abdominal surgeries (several hernia repairs, an eptopic pregnancy, and then numerous bowel resections due to colon cancer, a leak, an SBO and a perforation). I developed the SBO exactly two months after my first bowel resection. I was hospitalized for a week to see if it would resolve and it never did, so I had laporoscopic surgery to repair it. (Thankfully not open). It was caused by adhesions and wouldn’t have resolved without surgery. The surgery was successful, however they knicked my bowel during surgery and a fistula developed a month later. I dealt with that for awhile and ultimately that area broke lose and caused a perforation so it was repaired again and he removed more adhesions. The last bowel surgery was in 11/2019 and I had an abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia repairs in 6/2021 and that surgeon also removed some
Adhesions. Like you, I was worried that it would cause more adhesions. I’m sure I’m filled with them but haven’t had any further SBO. I’ve felt symptoms of one, but immediately stop eating and start massaging

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1 reply
baz | @baz | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @lisag03 "Hello. I have also had a lot of abdominal surgeries (several hernia repairs, an eptopic pregnancy,..." + (show)
@lisag03

Hello. I have also had a lot of abdominal surgeries (several hernia repairs, an eptopic pregnancy, and then numerous bowel resections due to colon cancer, a leak, an SBO and a perforation). I developed the SBO exactly two months after my first bowel resection. I was hospitalized for a week to see if it would resolve and it never did, so I had laporoscopic surgery to repair it. (Thankfully not open). It was caused by adhesions and wouldn’t have resolved without surgery. The surgery was successful, however they knicked my bowel during surgery and a fistula developed a month later. I dealt with that for awhile and ultimately that area broke lose and caused a perforation so it was repaired again and he removed more adhesions. The last bowel surgery was in 11/2019 and I had an abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia repairs in 6/2021 and that surgeon also removed some
Adhesions. Like you, I was worried that it would cause more adhesions. I’m sure I’m filled with them but haven’t had any further SBO. I’ve felt symptoms of one, but immediately stop eating and start massaging

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What is SBO?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 30, 2023

@lisastoof, in addition to the helpful replies you've gotten from @lisag03 and @susanh824, you may also appreciate this related discussion:
- Reoccurring Bowel Obstructions due to adhesions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reoccurring-bowel-obstructions-due-to-adhesions/

@baz, SBO = Small Bowel Obstruction

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lisastoof | @lisastoof | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @lskoehl62 "I have had 3 C-sections, 2 incisional hernia repair, complete hysterectomy and gallbladder recovered. Now that..." + (show)
@lskoehl62

I have had 3 C-sections, 2 incisional hernia repair, complete hysterectomy and gallbladder recovered. Now that I’m 61 I can’t have a bowl movement without taking laxatives, was on Linzess the highest dose for 3 months with no relief. I have pain every months below my ribs that feels like a rope is tied around me and someone is pulling it right, it last for about 5 minutes. I go to Ohio State in April to see a morbidly doctor

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My urologist wants me to go there and see a mobility Dr as well. Anxious to see how your apt goes!

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lisag03 | @lisag03 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @baz "What is SBO?" + (show)
@baz

What is SBO?

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Sorry. SBO is small bowel
Obstruction.

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