possible internal hernia?

I forgot something else....Be sure you talk to your surgeon and ask him if you can send him a copy of your CT scan....My surgeon requested that because he wanted to sit with a very good Radiologist to look at the test. Those Radiologists that are familiar with our new anatomy know what they are looking for and can identify a potential twisted intestine.....Best of luck!

Joe, I had an internal Peterson's hernia 6 months after a lap RNY. At first I thought it was my gallbladder, but it continued to worsen over two months. My symptoms were as follows: abdomen pain(central and back pain), a really full feeling after only a bite or two, and alot of bloating, to the point where it looked like a was pregnant.  They finally did a CT and still weren't sure and had to do a lap exploration. It was an internal hernia that caused a partial small bowel obstruction, they repaired it and also took out my sludgy gallbladder. I was up and around in a few days and I am doing better now. Good luck, I hope you feel better!

My surgery was in June 2006.  My pain began in May 2007, and was quickly diagnosed as an internal hernia.  Testing of my Gall Bladder was done and there were stones found, so it was decided that the hernia would be repaired and GB taken out in July 07.  About a month later, major pain started again, doubling over, many, many trips to the ER - morphine did not even touch the pain.  ER docs where I live (about an hour from my surgeon) diagnosed me with major constipation.  I knew that was not right.  About 6 ER trips later, and many CT & MRI's, I finally took all tests to my surgeon and he decided to do exploratory laprascopic surgery.  He got in there and immediately saw the hernia and repaired it (again).  That was November 2007.  I have not had any problems until about 3 weeks ago, had some minor pain that lasted a few hours.  Then a few days ago, the major pain began again and has not gone away.  Has anyone had this happen again, even after it was repaired? I will be making an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Okay tomorrow is Nov. 2008, I had my surgery 09/30/06.....My pain described above started in May of 08.  Always starts on Friday afternoon (I am 6 hours from my doctor) and is much better by Monday...(((GO FIGURE, RIGHT?))))

After about 5 episodes like this, I finally broke down and came up to my doctors (all six hours worth) had another EDG yesterday, today they told me it's probably an internal hernia and they will be doing the exploratory lap procedure either Nov. 11th or Nov. 14th. 

The pain was un-bearable, but I am HOURS from any Emergency care, and twice even went to see my childhood pediatrician, but I am 40 years old now....THey did not know WHAT to do w/ me in a hundred mile radius, since RNY is soooooo puzzling to them.

Wish me well, I will come back and update you guys when I get back...probably around turkey day. 

Ava

I saw my surgeon on 10/28 and scheduled exploratory lap procedure for 11/13.  My doc thinks it is either an internal hernia or possibly scar tissue.  I just hope it gets resolved! Best of luck to you!
Carol

And best of LUCK to you too....looks like we'll be in at the same time :)

Sherr

I know I am late in responding, but I just saw your reply regarding post RNY problems. What ever happened? I have had issues/surgeries after my RNY in 2003 also....

 

Lisa :)

I am so glad to have found this posting. I had a lap RNY on 1/30/08 and began to develop gallbladderlike symptoms in May. The typical epigstric pain that radiated to my back with bloating and gas pain after eating the smallest thing. I immediately got an abdominal sonogram which confirmed several gallstones. After severalmonths of these intermitten episodes,I finally took the plunge and scheduled surgery to remove my gallbladder. I had gallbladder surgery on 10/8/08 and went home the same day. the net day, 10/9/08, I developed the same bloating, gassy feeling that eventually advanced to severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting.At the advice of my surgeon, I went to the ER where I was admitted. The pain was so excrutiating that Morphine and Toradol didn't  put a dent in the level of pain. By the next day, 10/10/08 I was climbing the walls in pain and begged to get further testing done as I was going out of my mind in pain. A CT scan was done and confirmed a large internal hernia with necrosis/strangulation of the Roux limb. I was rushed into the OR from the CT scan where my surgeon had to perform an open procedure due to the severity of my condition.  My doctor said I was an hour or two away from serious trouble.  I woke up with a naso-gastric tube as well as a gastric (PEG) tube in my old stomach.  I remained in the hospital for 10 days.  I am now one month post-op and have not had any solid food since 10/7/08. I am being fed through the gastric tube with liquid nutrition six times daily and have lost an additional 30lbs since I came home from the hospital three weeks ago.

I have recently attempted to initiate liquids and some soft food such as puddings and cream of wheat. Unfortunately when I eat some thicker consistencies I develop a reflux and vomit. I had an upper GI series just today which confirmed a stricture or narrowing of the intestine. So I will follow-up with my surgeon to see if it is just swelling that needs further time to heal or if the narrowing needs to be stretched through an endoscopy or if a revision of my surgery is needed. 

It has helped me greatly to hear that others have had similar experiences so that we know we are not alone. I wish you all lots of luck and good health.

O my goodness! 
I hope you feel better!

this is exactly what i have been experiencing.  Glad I found this thread as I was beginning to feel like I was losing it.  GB removed last week and BAM...pain is back.  Now, I am gonna have to go through this yet again.  Can anyone add to this thread with a more recent date.
thanks