Question:
What are adhesions in WLS?

I have made up my mind to have this surgery no matter what. Only one thing is bothering me--the possibility of developing adhesions. I not sure what they are or why they develop. My question is what are they and why do they develop?    — Nancy1Marie (posted on August 31, 2008)

August 31, 2008
An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that binds 2 parts of your tissue together. They should remain separate. Adhesions may appear as thin sheets of tissue similar to plastic wrap or as thick fibrous bands. The tissue develops when the body's repair mechanisms respond to any tissue disturbance, such as surgery, infection, trauma, or radiation. Although adhesions can occur anywhere, the most common locations are within the stomach, the pelvis, and the heart. Abdominal adhesions: Abdominal adhesions are a common complication of surgery, occurring in up to 93% of people who undergo abdominal or pelvic surgery. Abdominal adhesions also occur in 10.4% of people who have never had surgery. Most adhesions are painless and do not cause complications. However, adhesions cause 60%-70% of small bowel obstructions in adults and are believed to contribute to the development of chronic pelvic pain. I had alot of adhesions and when I had surgery, Dr. had to make an extra incision to complete my surgery.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 31, 2008
I couldn't have said it any better myself, great explanation Sue! Dawn
   — DawnVic

August 31, 2008
AND YOU NEVER GET RID OF THE ADHISSIONS.I HAVE LOTS OF THEM IN MY STOMACH AND THE DR TOOK ALOT OF THEM OUT.BUT KEEP IN MIND THE MORE YOUR CUT THE MORE ADHISSIONS YOU GET.SO ITS A LOSING BATTLE.
   — deb44m

September 1, 2008
Bowel obstruction caused by swelling or adhesions (scar tissue) can occur after gastric bypass surgery, as it can after any abdominal operation. The first person responding gave you a good difination of what they are. The last party made it sound like everyone gets them, and that is not the case. It is a very small percentage of patients that have WLS that actually have them. I never had any nor have any of the more than 100 people in my support group, so ask the pther patients of your doctor about them as well as your doctor. I am sure he can give you the kind of information you need to understand your risk of this kind of complication. Best of success to you,a nd keep going for it, because RNY WLS works and I never would have waited this long if I had realised what a change it could make to my life. I do it all over again today, if I had to.
   — William (Bill) wmil

September 1, 2008
Hi Nancy, I had WLS in July 08. I would do it again. I do sorta agree with some of the other info. I have had issues with adhesions on and off for many years. You dont always know there there. If they dont bother you, you dont notice them. I have had to many surgs. to give a list of them, but I can tell you they bothered my surgeon more than ME! I didnt feel them. I know not everyone is the same and NO two of us have the same experience with these issues. They may be close but each body,surgery is unique in its own way. Check out everythting with your surgeon. ASK all the questions you want and get answers. That is the person that sees the adhesions and can give you the full amount of info. I know we here have all had our own experiences with our bodies..but you are diff. Bet of luck and will keep you in my prayers.
   — tootsie52

September 1, 2008
You can also get adhesions from an accident/trama. In 1995 I had horrible pelvic pain (right side) - they did everything to help and finally ended up doing exploratory surgery (LAP) - they went in and I had 3 very large adhesions adhered to my stomach wall. they cleaned me out - the adhesions (never had surgery in that region before, only my wisdom teeth taken out), a small cyst, gallbladder and appendix. After surgery I was fine. My adhesions were from an accident I had as a child (around 5) I fell down a flight of stairs onto the landing where we kept our bikes. I fell onto the bike handle bars (on my stomach) - adhesions grew over the years. I hever had any adhesion problems from surgery - so far, so good. good luck.
   — jammerz