Question:
Have you had a full or partial bowel obstruction after WLS?
I had open RNY and hiatal hernia repair on 4/5/02 and gallbladder removal on 5/14/02. Since the first of May I've been having constant low abdominal and low back pain, and it always gets worse after eating. I've had just about every test out there and they've all come back normal. I go tomorrow for an upper GI with a small-bowel follow-through to look for obstructions and stuff. Has anyone ever had a full or partial bowel or intestinal obstruction since your surgery? Please post your experience. Your replies are greatly appreciated! — Christine L. (posted on August 23, 2002)
August 24, 2002
Hi. I had a complete small bowel obstruction 5 months post open RNY. The
pain came on suddenly, and was excruciating. When it didn't pass after an
hour, I went to the ER where the obstruction was diagnosed. I had
emergency surgery to release the bowel that was caught in some adhesions
that were due to the first surgery. In retrospect, I think that I may have
had some partial obstruction episodes leading up to this. I had about 3
times where I had similar pain, not as severe, though, that came on
suddenly after eating, but only lasted 20 minutes or so. The bowel that
was caught must have worked itself loose, leading to the relief. But when
the total obstruction occurred, there was nothing but blinding pain (the
writhing, tearing at the sheets, pounding my fists into my thighs kind of
pain!) Good luck with your tests... I hope you get answers to your pain.
JK, RN
— Joya K.
August 24, 2002
Hi Christine. I too am having some pretty bad abdominal pain they can't
seem to figure out. I am post-op Lap-Rny 5/16/01/ I also had my gallbladder
out, a hiatal hernia repair and a ventral(incisional) hernia repair 7
months post-op. I went for a pelvic and abdominal cat scan(with dye), an
upper Gi with the small bowel follow through, and am now scheduled for a
colonoscopy next week. All my tests have come out perfect!! So...why the
pain??? It comes on usually 4-5 days/week. Mostly after 3pm and feels like
severe gas pains, but they double me over sometimes. Other than these
stomach aches, I have been feeling wonderful. I would do this surgery over
again in an instant if necessary.Maybe we could figure this out
together..keep me informed!!Hope you are feeling better..Love, Elaine..Down
101 pounds at goal.
— Elaine R.
August 24, 2002
Yes,
I had a partial small bowel obstruction. Fortunately, my obstruction was
six inches below the stoma and reachable through an upper endoscopy. I had
the stenosis of the small bowel opened and dilated through the endoscopy. I
was experiencing severe nausea/vomiting daily at the time. no pain.
However, this wasnt the sole cause of my nausea/ vomiting daily.. I also
was diagnosed a week later with an atonic pouch.. meaning that the pouch
had enlarged.. probably due to the constant vomiting, and was non
functional.
Hugs,
— Gina Landers
September 4, 2002
I was 9 weeks post op lap rny when I buckeled over in pain after eating a
scrambled egg and had to go to the ER was first told it was gastritis
because xrays didn't show anything but the GI Dr. decided to do a scope and
found that the blockage required surgery .I had my lap rny done out of town
and no Dr. wanted to touch me because of liability issues the GI talked to
7 surgeons before he found one that would fix me.I spent a total of 12 days
in the hospital and had 2 obstructions.
— Merri M.
June 28, 2006
I had RNY-open in 2003, then I had emergency surgery for bowel
obstruction/partial bowel necrosis in 2004. I've had 2 bouts with partial
bowel obstruction since 2004-all from adhesions. IV fluids and bowel rest
have been successful so far. Any way to keep this from happening would be
great news, its very painful. Have lost 107lbs, 5lbs from goal. No more
diabetes, high triglycerides.
— ckennedy
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