Regarding Obstructions
Selena's post about needing surgery reminded me that I wanted to ask about obstructions.
For those of you that had an obstruction....
What were the signs?
At what point did you call your surgeon?
Are there meds that can clear an obstruction or is it always a hospital stay?
Are there things that can be done to prevent it or can it happen anyway, even if you think you are taking as many preventative measures as possible?
I don't have any odd symptoms at this time, but obstructions have been a fear of mine post-surgery and I want to be aware in case any symptoms pop up.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Lisa
For those of you that had an obstruction....
What were the signs?
At what point did you call your surgeon?
Are there meds that can clear an obstruction or is it always a hospital stay?
Are there things that can be done to prevent it or can it happen anyway, even if you think you are taking as many preventative measures as possible?
I don't have any odd symptoms at this time, but obstructions have been a fear of mine post-surgery and I want to be aware in case any symptoms pop up.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Lisa
Mine wasn't a typical type presentation, although all of them generally involve some sort of severe pain, generally starting rapidly.
I was at work and throughout the night I noted what I can only describe as a "pulling" sensation in my upper abdomen in the middle. It wasn't terrible, just something that I could tell was there. I wasn't all that hungry that night, so I ate very little....basically yogurt and what not. I was, at that time, chalkng it up to a "prissy pouch" type day. I left work at 7:15am. By the time I got home (which was 7:30) I was in a horrendous amount of pain almost out of no where. The pain was mostly on my right, high by the rib cage. I was also having abdominal spasms and was dry heaving like a champ, despite not eating just about anything, and definately not eating anything that was on my restricted list. I called pupkova probably within 2 hours of the pain starting. She (and I in all honesty) thought it was my gallbladder. She told me to go to a local hospital (which I probably would have done anyway, considering I work there, and Barix was over 90 mins from my house, not to mention, they aren't equipped for emergencies per say) In the ER they gave me some pain meds and nausea meds along with fluid. On the xray it showed it was probably an obstruction, at which point THEY called Pupkova (at my request) *****quested I be transferred to Barix. I had gotten a second dose of pain meds, and then the pain was gone, comletely, and never returned. Mine "spontaneously resolved" which you hear of in some instances, but not many. And in all honesty, had I not been in a small community hospital and not been insistant on being in touch with Dr. Pupkova, I probably would have been in the OR to resolve it before it could resolve on it's own
There are no "meds" per say that resolve an obstruction. MOST of the time surgery is needed to correct it, but sometimes it is "transient" which was what mine was.
Making sure you have enough fiber, fluids, etc and a good bowel regimine can help not getting one....but sometimes it is just anatomical in nature. Meaning, scar tissue can cause them from previous surgery (adhesions), or sometimes they just happen. Not just to WLS or other abdominal surgery folks. Some are prone to them for unknown reasons. Which is a double edged sword, because then those people need surgery to correct them, which leaves them at higher risk for more adhesions, which can cause more obstructions, etc etc etc
I'd say "don't worry about it" but I know that's easier said then done. Considering WLS was my ONLY abdominal surgery and I still had one...it's always in the back of my mind whenever any pain starts up in that area. Rice, for instance, makes me feel like I have one. I don't believe I've actually been obstructed on rice....I just think the pain is similar and it's one of those foods I don't agree with, and therefore, don't eat.
I was at work and throughout the night I noted what I can only describe as a "pulling" sensation in my upper abdomen in the middle. It wasn't terrible, just something that I could tell was there. I wasn't all that hungry that night, so I ate very little....basically yogurt and what not. I was, at that time, chalkng it up to a "prissy pouch" type day. I left work at 7:15am. By the time I got home (which was 7:30) I was in a horrendous amount of pain almost out of no where. The pain was mostly on my right, high by the rib cage. I was also having abdominal spasms and was dry heaving like a champ, despite not eating just about anything, and definately not eating anything that was on my restricted list. I called pupkova probably within 2 hours of the pain starting. She (and I in all honesty) thought it was my gallbladder. She told me to go to a local hospital (which I probably would have done anyway, considering I work there, and Barix was over 90 mins from my house, not to mention, they aren't equipped for emergencies per say) In the ER they gave me some pain meds and nausea meds along with fluid. On the xray it showed it was probably an obstruction, at which point THEY called Pupkova (at my request) *****quested I be transferred to Barix. I had gotten a second dose of pain meds, and then the pain was gone, comletely, and never returned. Mine "spontaneously resolved" which you hear of in some instances, but not many. And in all honesty, had I not been in a small community hospital and not been insistant on being in touch with Dr. Pupkova, I probably would have been in the OR to resolve it before it could resolve on it's own
There are no "meds" per say that resolve an obstruction. MOST of the time surgery is needed to correct it, but sometimes it is "transient" which was what mine was.
Making sure you have enough fiber, fluids, etc and a good bowel regimine can help not getting one....but sometimes it is just anatomical in nature. Meaning, scar tissue can cause them from previous surgery (adhesions), or sometimes they just happen. Not just to WLS or other abdominal surgery folks. Some are prone to them for unknown reasons. Which is a double edged sword, because then those people need surgery to correct them, which leaves them at higher risk for more adhesions, which can cause more obstructions, etc etc etc
I'd say "don't worry about it" but I know that's easier said then done. Considering WLS was my ONLY abdominal surgery and I still had one...it's always in the back of my mind whenever any pain starts up in that area. Rice, for instance, makes me feel like I have one. I don't believe I've actually been obstructed on rice....I just think the pain is similar and it's one of those foods I don't agree with, and therefore, don't eat.
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Wow Pam ! Thanks for all of the very detailed information. I am going to save this post for future reference. Hopefully I won't need it, but it's good info. to have.
I think I worry about an obstruction more because I have had no complications to speak of during surgery or post-surgery and figure that I can't be that lucky....haha. I'm going to go find some wood to knock on and hope that I never get one.
Lisa
I think I worry about an obstruction more because I have had no complications to speak of during surgery or post-surgery and figure that I can't be that lucky....haha. I'm going to go find some wood to knock on and hope that I never get one.
Lisa
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