obstructed bowel questions....what %

I was reading my book "Success habits of WLS patients" last night.  I love the book and would highly recommend it.  (Linda A. recommended it awhile ago)  Anyway, one of the patients in the book lost weight was doing great for years and years and then died due to an obstructed bowel.  I've always felt like as long as we WLS people do what we are suppose to do, we will be fine.  I know there are risks, but they same be absent with people who follow the rules.  Last night, reading this freaked me out.  Do you know the percentages on this?  Or anything you could help reduce my anxiety about this?  I was surprised this happened after many years out.  Hmmmmmm.............

Lisa Joy

Lisa Joy....I don't have a clue about the percent but I hope someone else does. This is really scary!!!! Thanks for asking the question.I will be watching for the answers.

Hugs, connie d

I certainly don't want to scare anyone.  I am hoping I have it all wrong and it is nothing.   I'm going to keep researching too.  We have so many smarties on this board, I figured someone has asked this question before. 

My mother was always thin and never had WLS.  She had a bowel obstruction and nearly died because she had a bowel obstruction -- not a bowel obstruction because of WLS.  There was a woman on the boards a few years ago that did great with WLS and ended up dieing of breast cancer.  People have medical problems regardless of whether or not they had WLS.  I believe because WLS is so controversial with some people, they will highlight any medical problem and blame it on WLS.  The studies are just now being done to get more information on people who are out further. Hope this helps.......

I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV.  I have no stats on bowel obstructions for you, but I do have some perspective to share.

ANYONE can have a bowel obstruction.  Yes, there is a much greater risk after any kind of surgery, although lap doesn't create as high of a risk as open procedures do.  I have had two bowel obstructions in my life, both of which required emergency surgery.  I lived.  I was afraid that I wouldn't be a candidate for lap RNY BECAUSE of the bowel obstruction surgeries, but Dr. Jones WAS able to do my RNY lap.  There is more to my story than that, but essentially, I would say the risk of dying from a bowel obstruction is pretty small.  You'd have to tolerate a MONSTEROUS amount of pain and discomfort without seeking medical help, to actually DIE from it.  And I think that most of us having been through this surgery, would NEVER chose to ignore THAT MUCH PAIN without getting ourselves to urgent care or an ER.  Seriously, I've always said I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

That's what I needed to hear.  I have never even heard of obstructed bowel before, so now I know it happens and can happen to anyone.  Thank you!  I really appreciate you telling me those personal stories.......sorry you had to go through that Darla...:O(   And Barb, your mom.....:O(       I will let that one go now!  Hee Haw!!!! Lisa Joy **Barb, I love the book you loaned me.  I will bring it back to you this Sat.!   It is just PACKED with information!

A bowel obstruction is basically a hernia that strangulates.  Which would be a BAD thing...

From what I have read, bowel obstructions are not that common and what makes a bowel obstruction dangerous/fatal is if the signs/symptoms of trouble are ignored.   What your are experiencing is what all of us experienced when looking into our surgeries.  Reassuring hugs to you!!

Thank you for noticing that I am just doing what is probably normal.........That was nice reassurance Dana! Thank you all of you for explaining this to me!

I wouldn't be too quick to blame WLS. A bowel obstruction can be the result of many things.  Any abdominal surgery or a blow to the abdominal area such as in a car accident, can twist the bowel and that can eventually lead to an obstruction.  Some people just have natural extra kinks  in their bowels that eventually contribute to obstructions.  Another cause I read about is a weak spot in the bowel wall can collect feces and expand while still allowing some fecal matter to get through, so the person may not be aware of it right away.  If it gets too advanced that weakened wall can perforate and that often results in sepsis, which can turn deadly quickly.  So we should take it seriously if we notice changes in our bowel habits and talk to our docs about it. It colud be nothing, or something big. Obstructions that are diagnosed early are often pretty easy to treat ,sometimes without surgery.  And a well balanced diet that includes good oils, sufficient fiber, and plenty of hydration go a long way towards healthy bowels.