Nearly 6 years out, bowel obstruction

I've had no complications until 6 days ago when my bowel became obstructed. Emergency surgery (3 days later) saved my life.

If you start throwing up bile and can't keep water down, get to the hospital. Immediately. Don't wait.

Now I'm in a hospital 100 miles from my family alone dealing with post op stuff. No fun!

However, I'm betting I'll lose more weight again.

Susan

I am sooooo sorry. Do they consider this a side effect from the surgery at that amount of time out? I ask only because anyone can get a bowel obstruction. Are we more likely to for a life time? Heck found out during surgery 90% of my stomach had herniated into my chest. All my endoscopes were normal. At least I know now those few visits to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack were not just anxiety

Adhesions can form at any time and 'grab' the intestine causing problems. So yes it can happen to anyone, but especially those who have had abdominal surgeries in the past.

Just glad I still have health insurance and a job.

Susan

Wow I'm so sorry you had this happen! Hope your feeling better soon

Oh my gosh! I'm glad you didn't wait to go to hospital! I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Wow, thanks for the heads up.  That is a very serious complication and folks can die from it if not treated.

 

My surgeon mentioned pre-surgery, than when he reattaches the intestines during surgery, he stuffs the intestines back into my abdominal cavity.  With weight loss, the fat in the area starts to diminish.  Then the intestines can flop around more and potentially get twisted.

 

Judy

So sorry get well soon and back with your family

So sorry to hear you had  to go through this. It sounds so painful. It makes sense that bowels can get tangled with more room in there. It can happen to any one. I'm glad you acted in time. was any particular food the culprit? It may be one i am willing to avoid. I hope you recover quickly. Thank you for shareing!

You'd think that the hospital where I had my RNY would give me pouch-friendly foods when I finally was cleared for full liquid diet, wouldn't you?

First meal offered: cream of tomato soup, Pepsi, milk 2%, lime jello, and chocolate pudding. Well, I'm allergic to milk and tomato soup as the first thing to hit my pouch after 6 days was too acidic. Dinner: milk and Pepsi, lemon jello, lime sherbet, and cream of broccoli soup. Umm hello? Where is my simple bowl of chicken broth and some apple juice?

So I called in my request for chicken broth. First thing they ask me is, "what else?" Nothing a simple 6 oz serving should be enough. It doesn't help that cold foods are cramping my pouch!

I'm having my broth one strawful at a time and it feels so good.

They ask about medicine allergies, they never asked about my food allergies!!!

One 'good'? thing about this surgery was the wake up call on supplements.

My values were all screwed up - they even put in a banana bag because levels were so low in some cases

I'm now back on my calcium and I have to take potassium or my legs start cramping because of the imbalance between calcium and potassium. Then I'm back to my no-iron multi-vitamin. (My hemoglobin/hematocrit levels are moderate high with no supplements.) I'm also back to taking my B-12 and I've added Biotin because my hair is falling out and my nails breaking.

I'm working on the protein which dropped to 5.3 with this surgery. We'll see what it's up to next time I get checked out...

Susan