Bowel Obstruction Sympton CheckList

     I am so glad to read that Brok is doing so well and is not having serious bowel obstruction issues.  However, his experience made me think that it might be a good idea to have a list of bowel obstruction symptoms that we can refer to if we experience pain.

     So perhaps those in the know, especially those with personal experience with the matter, could give us a good description of how we might recognize this serious problem.

     Thanks. 

     Michael

If you experience any sharp or excruciating pain in your abdominal area, it's nothing to play with and you call the doc immediately.

Michael:
Great idea as Bowel Obstruction according to ASMBS is one of the growing causes of death after WLS because it is not identified, or treated early enough, especially in areas where WLS is not performed. It often gets overlooked which is a good reason to always have someone notify your bariatric surgeon whenever you are admitted anywhere for anything abdominal. This way they can tell them what to look for. I had a small bowel obstruction after gastric bypass 30 days out from surgery due to internal henia at the mesenteric opening. My symptoms were identical to those listed as small bowel. Hope this helps.
Cathi
Bowel Obstruction - Symptoms

 

 

The symptoms of a bowel obstruction depend on whether the blockage is in the small intestine (small-bowel obstruction) or the large intestine (large-bowel obstruction).

Small-bowel obstruction

• Abdominal pain. Most small-bowel obstructions cause waves of cramping abdominal pain. The pain occurs around the belly button (periumbilical area). If an obstruction goes on for a while, the pain may decrease because the bowel stops contracting. Continuous severe pain in one area can mean that the blockage has cut off the bowel's blood supply. This is called a bowel strangulation and requires emergency treatment.
• Vomiting. Small-bowel obstructions usually cause vomiting. The vomit is usually green if the obstruction is in the upper small intestine and brown if it is in the lower small intestine.
• Elimination problems. Constipation and inability to pass gas are common signs of a bowel obstruction. However, when the bowel is partially blocked, you may have diarrhea and pass some gas. If you have a complete obstruction, you may have a bowel movement if there is stool below the obstruction.
• Bloating. Blockages may cause bloating in the lower abdomen. You may also hear gurgling sounds coming from your belly. With a complete obstruction, your doctor may hear high-pitched sounds when listening with a stethoscope. The sounds decrease as movement of the bowel slows.

Large-bowel obstruction

• Abdominal pain. Blockage of the large intestine usually causes abdominal pain below the belly button. The pain may vary in intensity. Severe, constant pain may mean that your intestine's blood supply has been cut off or that you have a hole in your intestine. This is a medical emergency. Call your doctor immediately.
• Bloating. Generalized abdominal bloating usually occurs around the belly button and in the pelvic area.
• Diarrhea or constipation. Either of these symptoms may occur, depending on how complete the obstruction is. Your stools may be thin.
• Vomiting. This symptom is not common with a large-bowel (colonic) obstruction. If vomiting occurs, it usually happens late in the illness

4 years ago I had a large-bowel obstruction...the pain was worse than child birth....there are little signs to look out for as well, as usually when you get the other symptoms it has gone too far...I had been slightly nauseated off and on for a week or two (thought I was eating something that didnt agree)-intermittent cramping (not severe just occasional pinching type of cramping)-and loss of apetite.  Always try to be aware of what your body is feeling and dont second question it.  I spent 13 days in ICU then was transferred out to return to my out of state surgeon that did my DS as Cathi mentioned...not all doctors or surgeons know the DS protocol...they had originally misdiagnosed me as being constipated *sheesh* then finally on the 13th day and many bottles of mag citrate and every other method known a traveling doctor was oncall at the hospital that had some experience with DS and bowel obstructions....he immediately red flagged me and sent me out...I spent 3 1/2 hours in ememrgency surgery repairing what was wrong (scar tissue) and 3 more days in ICU.  My DS surgeon told me upon release of the hospital 5 days later (3 in ICU and 2 in regular room) that had I not seen this physician and gotten out of there when I did I would have died within another day or two.  He further said that following DS if there are any types of abdominal pain and you have had your gall bladder and appendix taken out (I did) that those are huge red flags to get medical attention.

     This is all great information.  I am going to keep it for reference, in case I experience abdominal pain.

     Thank you.

     By the way, just how common is this problem for DSers?

     Michael

i had my surgery in 2004 this past april i was expiriancing nausea every time i ate something i didnt think anything of it a few days past & i started getting excrutiating pain in my upper abdomen my husband took me to the er right away. i soon found out (after hrs of waiting & testing) that i had an internal hernia which my intestines were wrapped around & needed emergency surgery, i was told it was a complication to the gastric bypass. when i finally came out of anastesia & my surgeon came in to see me he stated that as he was in there repairing the hernia he found a major small bowel obstruction & i was very lucky to have come to the er when i did, if i would have waited a few more hrs he would have had to remove my bowel, the scariest thing ive ever heard....if something dont feel right or theres pain get it checked right away dont put it off for "tomorrow"

Im not sure how common it is for DSers as it can happen to anyone....not only those who have had WLS....I do know from my personal experience I will never doubt my body and how I feel again.  It was truely scary....I was on a morphene drip for I beleive 5 days....not sure how long as once they started giving me morphene I really have very little memory with the exception of what my family tells me....sheesh.