Bowel Obstruction

Has anyone heard of or had bowel obstruction after the rny open bypass? I had a ct scan and it showed some blockage, the docs are doing another scan this week to see if its still there. Its that or something with my liver. I had my gallbladder removed last year, but I am still having the symptoms, and my ct scan showed a inflammed liver. Im so confused, can anyone help? Thanks

yes you can have a bowel obstruction. many after rny have bowel movements that are not as regular or easy . Have you had regular bowel movements every day? Sometimes people with bowel obstructions have diarrhea because only the liquid can get pass the obstruction. Is your abdomen tender to touch or looking bloated? What level of pain are you in from 1-10? I know this waiting time is scary. You just have to know it could be simple or it could be worse. Just ask the tough questions with your doc. Ask if it is liver what could it be....is he talking cancer or what is he thinking? Then once you get diagnosed you will know what to do, and that might be to seek another opinion.

I've had FOUR bowel obstructions since my RNY. I just had yet another surgery last week to repair three hernias at my incision site from my last surgery which was open (after all the other were laprascopic).   If I can help you in any way, please let me know.  My profile is filled with websites and information regarding bowel obstructions, hernias, and adhesions.   This is scary time for you but you can make it through.  Try to busy yourself so you think about anything else but that.  It is of benefit to you not just mentally by physically as well!  I'm hear if you need a friend who has been through this!

Thanks for your reply. how did you know you had a hernia?, and why did you have so many? I had adhesions removed last year. I seriously feel like Im having a gallbladder attack, but it was removed last year.

My internal hernia was found through exploratory surgery after months of pain and testing that showed NOTHING to be arry.  It was a scary, crazy time.   I knew I had these last hernia because I could see and feel it.  I thought I had ONE but when he went to repair it, there were two more breeches of the abdominal wall.   I got those from the wall being weekend from so many surgeries and lifting things that are way too heavy for me.   My husband was severely injured at work last summer and I have consistently lifted and done things that are not meant for a woman of my size to do.  *shrug*  We do what we have to do but I honestly didn't think it would cause me to have to have surgery AGAIN.  I've had 11 surgeries since my RNY in November of 2004.  I've had a wild ride. Any surgeon and even a PCP can diagnose an incisional hernia upon physical examination.  An internal can be more difficult to diagnose because they don't always show on a CT Scan, XRay, Etc. so this is when they had to do exploratory surgery to find the cause of my severe abdominal pain.  Internal hernia are mostly diagnosed by symptoms and a physical exam rather than the results of any tests.  If you are showing a blockage on a CT Scan, you really need to address it ASAP as a blockage of any kind can become fatal quickly.   Again, if you develop a fever or your pain escalates, please go to the ER immediately, give them the name of your surgeon and let them know the resuls of your CT Scan.   My internal hernia felt A LOT like a gallbladder attack but I didn't have a gallbladder either.  There is also something called SOD type three (III) which is sphincter oddi disorder or dysfunction type three which means without a gall bladder.  If you can, read up on that as well.  You can google it and get good, reputable websites to give you information on it.   If they do exploratory surgery, they will likely check your bile ducts as routine anyway.  I hope this helps!

Wow, you sure have been through alot. You look great. How much did you lose? Ive had 2 surgeries since my rny, when I went to the dr yesterday, he said he didnt think I had a hernia, but he is sending me for a another ct on Monday. I was put in the hospital Monday and left Tues night on my own. I felt better so I left. They said they were observing me. All I know is the pain comes and goes. It feels like someone came from behind me and hit me so hard it takes my breath away. The pain goes from the front right to the back top. It only lasts a little bit. I only felt that way on Monday, I really feel ok now. I have been having bowel movements, so I dont know what to think. Do you think it could be adhesions again? Is that possible? Thanks for listening to me ramble...

Yes, it could be adhesions again.  Some believe that certain people are predisposed to developing adhesions.  See ARD or adhesions related disease on the internet.  Amazing information out there on Adhesions which some now consider a "disease."   All of my bowel obstructions other than the internal hernia were caused by adhesions which do not show on scans.  Adhesions form within the first 30 days after surgery so it's possible that they can cause problems as soon as that.  It's a normal bodily process but sometimes they can cause problems and pain.  If they become responsible for an obstruction, it has to be addressed -- or if it's too painful to walk across the room -- obviously this is debilitating and must be corrected.  My painwith the internal hernia  waxed and waned with no rhyme or reason but I did also have a "dull ache" constantly.  The thing is that different people experience the same thing with different symptoms so don't compare yourself too much to others.  Do pay attention to your body.  You know it better than anyone else.   Pain is a warning that the body produces to communicate that there is a problem.  It shouldn't be ignored. With my adhesions, I had classic bowel obstruction symptoms.  I NEVER stopped going to the bathroom as they were PARTIAL obstructions and things can get through.  I did have one full obstruction and you will know if you have that -- it is the most painful thing I have ever experiences and fluids were trying to leave every orifice of my body!  YIKES!!!! However, I had ahesions in 2001 and ended up having surgery to correct.  In that case, I was fine as long as I didn't move.  The reason for the pain upon movement was that the adhesions were connecting organs together and when I tried to move my abdominal cavity, where it was to move with me, it couldn't because it was attached so it was like skin pulling on skin.  It is very painful.  I had to insist on exploratory surgery.   Hit my profile for many links and information on all these subjects.  I've written about what I have experienced so you might find some assistance there. I hope you are 110% ASAP.