Intestinal Blockage

I have just read the tragic news about Vicki.  This is a tremendous loss to our WLS community.  But it is something that we can all learn from. 

While I do not know anything about Vicki's situation I do know anytime you have severe abdominal pain one must get to the emergency room and one must contact their surgeon; no matter how far out from surgery.  In most cases your surgeon is your best resource for getting the diagnostic procedures you need.  He or she can speak to the ER  doc about your surgery and what needs to be done to arrive at a correct diagnosis.  This information needs to be communicated to your significant others.  I have my surgeons number programmed into my husbands cell phone and he knows to call my surgeon no matter what an ER doc may tell him.  Your surgeon will also be able to tell you if you need to leave one facility and travel to another because of pig headed ER docs who will not order the right tests.

Red

Well said Red,

My surgeon is 5 hours away but I want be without someone knowing what is going on. 

Absolutely.

After my surgery, Dr. Kim gave me what he said was his cell phone number. He told me to call if I ever needed him (this was at least a year before I went to work for him.)

One night, I was talking to my husband - late. For some reason, I decided to call the number, thinking that NO WAY would a doctor - never mind a busy surgeon! - really give out his cell phone number.

Well...I woke him up. It really was Dr. Kim's cell phone number!

Cell phone, pager, office phone...whatever. Put it in your cell phone and even under your ICE listing.

My surgeon gives us his cell phone number, as well.  I'd never heard of that before he did it and wondered the same thing....a busy surgeon and he's given me his cell phone number?  Yeah, right.  But he's always answered the cell phone or called me right back.  Even if he's out of town, he answers or calls back.  I even called when he was in surgery one day and he had the nurse get his cell phone off his belt, go out and call me back to let me know he'd get back to me when the surgery was over but he wanted to make sure it wasn't an emergency where I needed to contact his partner.

Vicki should still be here with us today.  No doubt about that.  Our OH family has lost a wonderful member and she will be missed.

La Wanda

I wrote a blog about this and OH has it on the homepage.  What is cool, is that Dr. Terry Simpson, MD, FACS wrote his perspective at the bottom.  This is information supplied by OH from a Doctor to help us understand this condition and what do do if we suspect we might be suffering from it.  If you are interested....Here is the link.  Also, look at the comment section.  My friend Dana commented, and she KNOWS about this first hand.  She went through several years of hell.....and she's a lucky girl that she is around to tell her story. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/ohblog/mode,content/cmsID,11726/

There are a number of members on here that shout about this every now and then.  People who know how difficult diagnosis can be and have been trying to warn us and educate us for some time.  Following is the profile of one of these members.  Please take the time to visit her profile page and read about this first hand.  I have followed her story for some time. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/butterflyreborn/

I spoke to my local gastroenterologist's office this morning.  They are putting notes in my records so that if I get in trouble anywhere, I can have them call that office and they will advise them about tests since they know I have some adhesions....I'm trying to take active steps for my own safety.

I knew Vicki....and she stands out as one of the most upbeat and positive bypassers. 

Hugs
Charlie

This was and is one of my biggest fears.  Before surgery and now after surgery.   I didn't know Vicki as I'm from MA, about to move to FL, but I'm so very sorry for everyone's loss.   She sounds like an amazing person that now heaven is very lucky to have.

One of my worries is the fact that I do have abdominal pain quite often.   Pain that I have discussed in long detail with my surgeon -- no fears about discussing it with him at length.  One of the reasons that we haven't done tests for a blockage is because I am always moving my bowels when it happens.   I need to go at least once daily, otherwise I seem to get backed up and I endure about 15 minutes of the most painful intestinal spasms I've ever felt.  Once in a blue moon I'd get this presurgery - no postop it's happened severeal times.    Fortunately after speaking with my surgeon and getting on some regulation meds  (to make sure I go once daily) it's mostly gone away. ... but WOW if I skip a day of going do I pay for it.   It just seems to be a bit of a complication that I have postop.

Anyhow - my point has been that I'm really glad to see people posting about this and providing additional knowledge.  I think it's so very important to know that this is a possibility even long after surgery.  I think it's a great bit of knowledge to spread throughout the boards.

Thank you for your comments.  Vicki was well loved around here.  You are so right about talking about the things we all need to watch out for.  I had IBS before surgery so I know about the terrible cramps and pain.  My WLS made it all so much better.

What part of Florida are you going to be moving to?

Red

Hi Everyone, I hear all of you saying something about a blockage. Can someone explain. 2 weeks ago I went to the er with something popping out of my stomach. I did have this before but never this bad. I was told I had a hernia and a blockage. I was told I would die. I needed surgery and an NG tube. I said no to the NG tube, I did not want to throw up and move my band I have enough problems. After a nights stay and a visit from the surgeon I was told surgery was necessary. Then the you know what hit the fan when they found out I had no insurance and could not get medicaid. I was basically kicked out and told I should not have come to the Emergency room with a non Emergency. I was treated so bad at this Bariatric Hospital it prompted me to write to my local news paper and the Joint Commission. My band was placed 2 years ago. I was never able to fill it. Does anyone know if this could be because of my umbilical hernia? I am so frustrated. Please let me know if you have any ideas. My surgeon is not an option any longer. Thanks Michelle

Michelle-
I am not a medical professional, nor am I an insurance expert.  But I do know that an internal hernia can be life threatening.  You need to find someone who will treat you and assess the situation.  Call your county social services agency and find out who in your area provides medical care free or a sliding scale.  I know here in our county there is a free clinic and the county has a clinic to provide care to those with low income who otherwise do not qualify for medical assistance.  If you should find yourself in need of emergency care again -- go to a publicly funded hospital and the words you want to use are Hill-Burton Act.  Most hospitals *****ceive any sort of public funding are required to provide at least a certain amount of care to those who are low income through the Hill-Burton Act.  But many times you have to ask for it.  I would also forward any letters you have written to the state licensing agency.

Do not ignore any pain or other symptoms you have.  If you have a blockage or internal hernia it can quickly progress to a life threatening situation. 

You might also want to post this message as a new topic to see if others who participate on the board may have experiences or insights to share. 

Good luck.

Red

Thanks Red, I will not let it go if I know it is bad. It is a shame that anyone in this country has to go through anything like this at all. I did have a blockage it went away after a few hours of being on pain meds. The Dr. said it would happen again. I was just wondering if this was why I could not fill my band. I will post my letter again. Thanks, Michelle By the way Great Going on your wonderful weightloss...Michelle