Bowel Obstruction

I just posted this on the RNY board.

Monday early afternoon I had to go to my local ER due to intense pain.  Later that night I was transported into Houston where my bariatric surgeon practices.  Tuesday morning I underwent surgery for bowel obstruction.  I am 30 months out, so this has surprised me.  The last few days have been a blurr.

I received excellent care at my local ER.  As always, my bariatric surgeon was exceptional.  I mentioned in my other post how critical the choice of surgeon is for the after care as well as the surgery itself.  It is vitally important we know and can recognize the signs and symptoms of boel obstruction.

So Glad they figured out the problem and could take care of it right away!  (((HUGS)))

Thank you Roz..I'm glad to be home and on the mend.

Hi Dasie...

                   I know exactly what you went through...the pain is agonizing!!! never had pain like that before...even with birthing three kids....I couldnt sit, stand or lay down for any longer than 10 mins and I suffered like that for 3 days...I went to emergency twice.....I left emergency at hospital the first night cause I had appt with surgeon the next morning but it got cancelled...finally I couldnt stand it any longer and on the third day I went back to emergency!!  After a CT scan it was discovered that some scar tissue from a previous surgery 10 yrs ago had wrapped itself around my bowel...I was rushed into OR and operated on....it was a very scarey time!!!

 All of us weight loss patients need to be aware of the signs...if in doubt call your surgeon or go immediately to Emergency!!  We are the best advocates of our bodies!!  I can tell you I am paying more attention to mine!!!

Sending hugs and healing vibes for you Dasie....glad you are out of pain...it is horrendus pain!!  Now the healing can begin....take care of you!!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU HAD TO LIVE LIKE THAT 3 DAYS.  You described it perfectly.  I kept telling the doctors in ER I have had 3 children, natural childbirth, but this pain far exceeded that pain. 

How on earth did you survive that pain for 3 days?  I can't comprehend that.  You are fortunate to be alive. 

That was my purpose for posting this.  I have had nt complications and figured I was in the clear.  We need to be educated. 

I received excellent care, and I am very thankful for that.

Hi Dasie...again..

          I know now looking back I dont know how I lived those 3 days myself...I do remember the surgeon told me the next day after my surgery...I was lucky to be alive...another day things could have been different!!  I shiver thinking about it!!  I know too after my emergency surgery I was very spooked for awhile!!  I needed not only to recover physically but also mentally.  Im two months down the road now and it is still so fresh in my memory, but I am paying more attention to my body and what it is telling me!!  Here's to healing now...




               

That is where I am finding myself...the mental aspect of this.  I have to go out of town next week, and I'm anxious about going.  Were you nervous about getting too far from your surgeon.

This happenedto you  2 months ago? Did you loose any bowel from this?   Why did they keep sending you home?  Do you wear a Medical Alert bracelet.  My discharge papers say I need to wear one.  I'm buying one today.

Dasie...

                   I was afraid at first, I actually came on here and posted about my experience!!  Mentally I was a wreck!!  Yes that happened in March, and now two months later, I am doing better but the memory of that horrendus pain remains.   Luckily I didnt loose any bowel and I am grateful for the wonderful care of the surgeon...the same surgeon I was going to see but the appt got cancelled due to the emergency he had!!  I dont wear a bracelet but thinking I should just in case!!

I am normally very strong mentally.  But this has completely unnerved me.  I am more sore than when I had my RNY.  I am bruised and still swollen.  I have a lot of gurgling going on.  I was told my pouch and intestines were very dilated.  I told them it is not because I over eat...I suspect because everything was backed up.  I am now concerned I damaged my pouch/stoma with this.  I do not want to touch solid food.  You said it well.  Just the memory of that horrible pain has me almost in tears this morning.  I'm sure it also has to do with the meds leaving my system, but I am on edge and totally surprised by this reaction.  My recovery post RNY has been so effortless up until now.  How long before you ate solid food.  Did your surgeon tell you it could happen again?

I can soo identify with you on that pain...worse Ive ever felt in my life...Hang in there, a couple months down the road, once you have had the chance to heal, you will feel better...talking it out is so good too.  You are among friends here.  At present Im awaiting surgery for hernias now.  I was told that it could happen again but hopefully not!!  I read somewhere that hernias can cause bowel obstructions as can alot of weight loss over short period of time.  It seemed once I passed my one year surgiversary my body started having problems.  All I can say is do what I am doing which is listening to what my brain and body is telling me.