Internal hernia with possible bowel resection

Hi all,

I had gastric bypass 5 years ago and have done very well. No nutritional deficiencies or other problems until this last year. I had progressing upper left abdominal pain that is constant and about 4/10 at all times, once ended up in the ER and felt like I was dying. I thought I had a blockage.

Turns out that I was sort of right. It is an internal hernia, it is likely intermittent partial obstruction, and is being repaired on Tuesday with a possible bowel resection and will begin in outpatient with possibility of inpatient admission if resection is done.

My question is - I know there are enough of you that have had this -

1. Did you go home same day of surgery?
2. How do they fix this?
3. How long were you off work?

I've searched everywhere and can't really find any answers so I thought coming to those that may have experienced this would be helpful. I've been suffering for so long and can't wait for some relief!

Thanks,

Royboysgirl

Wishing you Well...You can read about my hernia/bowel obstruction surgery under the OH forum called "Complications;" please consider posting your experiences there, as well. To answer your questions: 1) I was admitted to the hospital as an emergency-surgery patient on a Friday night to start fluids through an IV. Surgery was on a Saturday morning and discharge was Sunday afternoon. 2) The surgeon required eight lap holes to repair the hernia but did not need to resection the bowel. 3) I was not employed; recovery was long, slow-going, and pain levels when trying to sit, lay, or stand varied between a seven to ten range for 4-6 weeks. However, pain was tolerated using liquid Tylenol only out of fear stronger pain meds would cause constipation.

Thank you for your response. I sure hope recovery will be a little faster than that for me. I certainly need to work!

It is great RNYElizabeth responded below to show recovery can vary; her three incisions versus my eight might be why (ripped off again). I found it impossible to move without assistance for two weeks time and a struggle for another couple of weeks; an abdominal binder added some comfort. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

Here is a link to a recent thread I started relating to my Internal Hernia. I had the surgery on Wed April 26 and went back to work on Monday May 1, basically used the weekend to recover. I felt like I went back a bit too soon but my job is not physically demanding so I pushed it and went. I think I would have been really ready by the 3rd or 4th. I only needed three incisions and there was no resection needed.

Best wishes!

~Elizabeth