Question:
Adhesions - looking to find out an average of how many people have had this problem.

A friend of mine who had surgery right after I three years ago was rushed into surgery yesterday for adhesions causing a bowel obstruction. This was one of my own doctors concerns when I asked his opinion about doing the gastric bypass surgery, his concern was the possiblity of adhesions that could develop for the next 30 years. I had the gastric bypass, then tummy tuck, then surgery again for hysterectomy to remove ovarian cycst, all done in the last three years so now I am curious of the average amount of people who have had to deal with the adhesions. I worry about another abdominal surgery!    — denise53 (posted on January 10, 2007)

January 10, 2007
Many of the studies indicate that less than 2% of peopel who have had an RNY will suffer from a bowel obstruction, internal hernia (where the intestine telescopes into itself) or serious adhesions (which would require surgery). The problem is caused because the intestine is a moving organ and the formation of and changes in scar tissue (caused when it is cut) can cause little kinks that become big problems. Of the hundres of people who have come through our support groups, there are only about 4 of us who have needed surgery for adhesions/obstructions (so the statistic seems to hold true for us).
   — SteveColarossi

January 11, 2007
I had RNY surgery in 7/06. within a week of being released from hospital, I experienced great pain in my abdomen for which I went to the ER. I was rehospitalized and a CT scan revealed that I had two abnormalities, either of which could have been causing the pain. There was an unexplained fluid (puss?) pocket in that region and also a blood clot in the superior mesentery vein. As when one gets a "clot" in a coronary vessel, it can cause much pain here too. I was subsequently put on a course of Coumadin (Warfarin), a blood thinner that , it was hoped, would dissolve the clot. Thus far the clot remains, as determined from subsequent CT scans. To this day (1/11/07) I have a weird "squeezing" sensation in that region, which I attribute to the clot. ----------- In mid November, I began to experience discomfort in my tummy. I thoght it was due to a full bladder and I was on a bus so it was difficult to relieve myself in that situation. After about an hour, as the pain was becoming greater but still bearable, I was able to empty my bladder, but the pain did not subside; instead it continued to get even worse. By the time I got myself to the ER (same hospital where my RNY procedure was done, VA Palo Alto, four months prior), the pain was absolutely EXCRUCIATING. This was at about 8:30 PM. Little, if anything, was done to relieve the very severe gut pain I was experiencing. Another CT scan revealed that I had an "adhesion" which caused a twist in about a 2-foot section of my bowel. Blood flow to that part of the bowel was cut off or greatly restricted. The situation was not only painful but also life threatening if not corrected. I finally went into emergency surgery around 3:00 AM to correct the situation. After I was put under anesthesia (what a relief! -- the pain was still quite unbearable) and the EKG leads were hooked up, it was discovered that I was experiencing a "heart attack" with a loss of 50% of capacity of my left ventricle. Post-surgery, I spent 4 days in ICU and another 4 days in a regular hospital med-surg ward. It was later theorized by the cardiologists that I had had a stressed induced "silent heart attack" (see http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2005/02_10_05.html) due to the prolonged period of severe pain that I was experiencing in my gut due to the bowel blockage. Since the blockage was "well below" the laproscopic RNY surgery area, it was subsequently claimed that my RNY surgery was not the cause of the bowel blockage. In my mind, the jury is still out on that. ----- Note that I had a gun shot wound in Viet Nam in 1970. Although the bullet did not enter the gut, it did shatter bone which could have sprayed into the gut. During surgery in the field hospital, my lower abdomen was zipped open and the entire bowel was taken out and inspected inch-by-inch, for possible injury. None was found and the bowel was replaced after a colostomy port was installed (guess where?) in the lower left quadrant of my abdomen, where I was experiencing my recent pain described above. The colostomy was temporary and removed after five months. ----- So, what caused my recent bowel problem, the RNY surgery or my many surgeries in Army hospitals over 36 years ago? Again, I'm not now certain about the answer to that question. I have been told that any bowel surgery will leave you at higher risk for bowel adhesions, etc. in the future. Thirty-six years, however, is a very long time for a problem to suddenly arise. ---- If the adhesion was caused by the RNY procedure, in hindsight would I go through the RNY surgery, given the choice after the fact. You bet I would! ANY major surgery has associated risks. Those risks must be balanced against against the benefits of the intended result. I am now at just under 200 lb., down from a tad under 300 lb just over a year ago. I think my life expectancy has been extended because of my bariatric surgery and I am hopeful that my quality of life in the ever shortening years 'til I exhale my last breath will be greatly enhanced over what it would have been while trying to deal with all the problems that come with being very obese, diabetes, heart problems, etc. YOU have to weigh the risks vs. benefits that apply in YOUR particular situation and make a carefully considered decision for yourself about proceding with RNY surgery. ----- By the way, I would NOT have elected to go with the lap band instead of RNY because the lap band is easily reversible where RNY is much more difficult to reverse. When I decided to commit to bariatric surgery, wanted to commit all the way. I did not want to go for something that: #1 -- is not statistically as effective as RNY, and #2 -- would provide my an easy "back door" to to slip out of (reversing the lap band) if I decided to "chicken out" in the future. But that's just ME. When I decide to go for something, I go for it all the way. (Maybe that's why I've been married to the same person for over 38 years. ----- Best of luck!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 11, 2007
Denise, I have had everything you mention, gastric bypass, tt, and also a hyst, but I had that 3 years before my gastric bypass. I am 3 years out. When I had gyn surgery (not hyst) last year, there were quite a fed adhesions that were removed. It was not causing any bowel or other obstructions, but they were there, and quite a few from what I understand. It is a risk we took with the surgeries we have had. Worry will only increase your problems. You will either get them or now, so enjoy each day you have, and if a symptom comes up, deal with them right away. You need to know your body and take care of your body. If it means another surgery to do that, then that is what we do. I doubt it will happen soon, but just keep an eye on your health and keep your appts with your surgeon so they can keep tabs on you as well. Take care, Patricia P
   — Patricia P

January 11, 2007
Steve, Where did you get these statistics? I am just curious and I hope they are true. I am still trying to decide on the lapband or gastric bypass and would like to know the likelyhood of complications with the bypass.
   — longislandamy

January 11, 2007
HI DENISE.I HAD GBS IN 2002 AND I DURING THE PAST YR,I HAVE BEEN HAVE BAD PAINS IN MY STOMACH BY MY BELLYBUTTON.AFTER COMPLAINTING TO THE DR WHICH SEEMED LIKE FOREVER, THEY FINALLY ADDMITTED ME IN THE HOSPITAL AND RAN TEST. ALL TEST CAME BACK NEGATIVE, SO DR SAID I DO BELIEVE YOU THAT YOU HAVE PAIN, BUT NOTHING IS SHOWING UP. HE THEN SAID I COULD EITHER GO HOME AND SEE IF PAIN COMES BACK, OR....HAVE EXPLORITORY SURGERY. I CHOSE THE SURGERY BECAUSE I COULDNT TAKE THE PAIN ANYMORE. DR REMOVED ALOT OF ADHISSIONS AND SAID THAT I STILL HAVE ALOT MORE. I JUST HAD A HYSTERECTOMY IN AUG 2006.SO NOW I HAVE EVEN MORE ADHISSIONS. WE CANT WIN I GUESS. P.S. I STILL GET PAIN BY MY BELLYBUTTON.
   — deb44m

January 16, 2007
I had the open RNY about four years ago and I had the T.T. about three years ago, I am suffering from adhesions ever since I had my T.T. surgery. I had to have four surgeies to remove adhesions. They get so bad where the adhesions wrap around my small bowel and then they wrap around my other organs. My surgeion had to untwist my intestines all the time because the adhesions tangle them up so bad. He has tried barriers but nothing has helped. I am going to a pain clinic now and nothing is working for me. Next month I am going to The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for another opinion, my surgeion wantd me to go there, because he says that I can not live my life in pain. I am really struggling at work. This has been going on too long. I hope that the Mayo Clinic can help me out. I am getting tired of being on pain medcine, that the pain clinic has me on. Well that is half of my story. If you ever want to e-mail to ask me anything you would want to know feel free to e-mail me anytime. Shely
   — angelglobe