Tips for managing chronic Small Bowel Obstructions

With regard to drinking liquids to manage SBO, do you find that you can blend nutritious foods to a liquid? For instance, I’m drinking a smoothie with blueberries, cherries and a banana. I’m trying to find what works for me to prevent my SBOs, but still get the nutrition I need. Thank you for your thoughts!

@dc10 , some of the things I blend into smoothies to make them healthier (and still not too bulky) are Greek yogurt, protein powder, spinach, tofu, flax meal (for fiber that is, again, not too chunky), and occasionally a little peanut butter (although I'm more careful with that, as it's a little harder to digest, I think). I have a bunch of different kinds of frozen fruit that I can throw in, too.
I also use different kinds of milk--cow, soy, almond, and coconut--at different times, because they all have different nutritional benefits.

@dc10
For me, as far as the nutrition went, getting enough protein was my doctors biggest concern along with enough calories. I pretty much stuck with the high protein Boost and the Boost Breeze which is clear. I didn't have the energy while recovering from the surgeries to make my own smoothies. And definitely lots of water, and I did a gentle massage which I feel really helped.

That is so helpful. Thank you!

Thank you. Even though I’ve had 6 bowel obstructions I’m still trying to figure it out and haven’t gotten much regarding what to eat from the doctors that I’ve seen.

I have only had the one in my small intestine due to the adhesions, but when it was total, they didn't let me eat anything. When it partially cleared, I was on clear liquids and then regular liquids, but they also put me on TPN. I did that and the massage and after a few weeks, it finally blew open and I had diarrhea probably 30 times over 2 days and all the distention was gone. I was able to get off the TPN but they kept me on low residue diet for a long time. Then the diverticulitis came back, the reattachment site from my colostomy reversal failed and I had a BAD blockage in my colon and ended up having surgery again. It worked and now I am feeling good and eating normally.
Did anybody recommend the low residue diet to you? Nothing to eat that has more than 1 or 2 grams of fiber in it, no seeds, nuts, etc.
Basically you are eating a toddler diet, but hey, I am a big fan of Mac & cheese! You can google low residue diet and it gives you lots of ideas.

THANKS THIS INFORMATION IS HELPFUL AND I WILL BE TRYING SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS TERESA

Hello @dc10 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of your problem but happy that you found Connect and are looking for help and answers. On Mayo Connect we encourage everyone to advocate for themselves and to seek out the best specialists for their problems and most importantly to ask questions.

We actually have two discussions on Connect regarding this topic. If you click on these links you will see what others are saying about this problem.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-small-bowel-obstruction-from-adhesions/ and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-small-bowel-obstruction/
As you read these posts from Members who have also experienced this problem you will undoubtedly get some good information. If you find a post especially helpful, you can click on the "Reply" box and post a question or comment to that Member. I would like to invite two Members who have been quite active in these discussions to join you. Please meet @thull and @nancybev. Both of these Members have had repeated surgeries and have lots of practical ideas on eating, drinking, and exercises that will help with this problem

Most of us who have this problem have had repeated surgeries (or at least one surgery) of the digestive tract which is had led to these obstructions. If you are comfortable sharing more, will you let us know if that is your case as well? If so, could you give us some background on how many surgeries and over what time period?

I look forward to getting to know you better. Will you post again and let me know how you are doing?

I am currently in the hospital with my 6th SBO. They began 3 years ago and are becoming more frequent. I’ve had all the tests that gastroenterologists do, all the endoscopes and colonoscopies. They think I have some scar tissue from a laparoscopy that I had back in 1980. When I feel an obstruction coming on, it’s like a moving train that I’m unable to stop, and progresses to the point where I’m so violently ill, that I have to get to the hospital to get pain and nausea medication, and of course, the terrible NG tube. My obstructions have resolved on their own in the hospital with their usual protocol, but I have not had any helpful information from the numerous doctors I’ve seen about how to prevent them. It is beyond frustrating and I basically don’t know where to turn to get help with this. Otherwise I am very healthy, but to say that it’s impacting my life is an understatement.

Mine were caused by adhesions from previous surgeries. (I had 4 this year). The last surgery , 1/07/19, they started to try laparoscopic but when they saw all the adhesions, they switched to open and spent the first 2 hours clearing the adhesions before they could start the actual bowel procedure. Ended up perforating the small bowel during that and had to fix that too. I am now 2 months post surgery and everything seems to be passing through ok so far. The liquid nutrition I have mentioned in previous posts are good, plus the gentle abdominal massage . I wouldn't be surprised if they put you on a low residue diet.
Good luck and feel better!
Also, I hate the NG tube as well, but it does work. Had 4 of those this year too! UGH!