Question:
What are the chances of bowel obstruction happening to me again?

I had open RNY on 3/25/02, and everything was fine up till two weeks ago when I started to have very bad pain around my belly button. I waited for about 12 hours and then called my doctor, and he said to go to the emergency room where I had my surgery, but it was too far away and I could not make it there so my wife took me to the nearest hospital. They did an x ray and found that I had a bowel obstruction due to scar tissue. I was transferred to the hospital where I had my surgery a few hours later, and I had an emergency surgery the next day. My doctor said it was a very simple operation and it only took 30 minutes to do. I stayed at the hospital for six days on clear liquid diet. Well anyway my question is. What are the chances of it happening to me again? Thank You.    — M R. (posted on June 14, 2002)

July 6, 2002
I hate to tell you but this will probably not be your last one. Every time they have to open you up, more scar tissue results, hence the more likely it is to happen yet again. I have already had two surgeries, one was only for the obstruction and because of the lack of 'competent' care in my small town, I almost died. I was told it was gas, gastritis, etc. Good thing I did not just sit around and accept their diagnosises. I did not vomit and was told that was the main reason they could not detect the problem, but a simple upper gi showed it right away. By the time they found it, I looked nine months prego and my intestines were paralyzing. I think its happening again now and has been coming on for quite some time now. If you feel wrong, DO NOT let anyone discount your feelings. You know your body better than anyone, including the doctor treating you. Good luck to you and if you or anyone else has had issuses with repeated obstructions and pain due to scar tissue, PLEASE email me, I desperately need a doctor with some expertise in this area, my life has become miserable. So much for being thin when you cant enjoy it, huh? MUCH luck to you and stay healthy!!! [email protected]
   — Tres J.

July 7, 2003
I had a bowel obstruction that required emergency surgery on June 11,2003. It was an awful experience but luckily it didn't take long to diagnose it. My surgeon says it can happen again and now I'm kind of paranoid that it will. Don't want that experience again any time soon. Carrie Davis
   — Carrie D.