Question:
Can someone please explain to me what exactly, adhesions are?

I'm still in the researching phase of WLS and have heard about adhesions. Can someone please explain to me 1) what they are 2) how they occur and 3) how to get rid of them. Or direct me to a web site where I can read up on them. Thank you in advanced -- Renee Dodge    — renee617 (posted on April 14, 2001)

April 13, 2001
During surgery, the surfaces of tissue or organs can become irritated or inflamed...from manipulation or exposure to air. Following any surgery, there is the potential for these inflamed surfaces to adhere to each other...loops of bowel can adhere together or bowel can adhere to different organs in the abdomen. A surgeon once told me to visualize putting the sticky surfaces of Scotch tape together. These are adhesions...IF they occur, they are permanently in place unless surgically corrected. The "bad" news is that anyone who has ever had a surgery probably has adhesions...the "good" news is that the vast majority of us live out our lives blissfully unaware that they exist. If adhesions do cause pain or other problems post-op, it is at least a situation that can be corrected. My best advice is not to worry unnecessarily about something which may never be a problem for you :-)
   — Diana T.

March 10, 2002
Try not to stree out about this too much- I have had 12 abdomenal surgeries, and was kept open the whole time (about one month) and that was about a year ago. My doctor ordered an Ultrasound and they found NO adhesions, my bowl moved freely. So I wonder how frequently they occur.
   — kultgirl

September 24, 2003
I had surgery on 8\4\03.when the surgeon went in he found seven hernias but because of scar tissue he would not (could not) do my rny .I had 2 other surgeries before ,hiatial hernia and gall bladder removal .So I still need to find a surgeon who can do my surgery safely.Hope all goes well with yours
   — U4oria