Question:
Intussusception in post-operative stage

I had gastric bypass 15 years ago and have been having problems for the last six months with intussusception (telescoping of the small intestine). I have had surgery and now the problems are recurring. Has anyone out there had similar problems?    — Denise W. (posted on May 24, 2000)

May 25, 2000
My Aunt had the surgery 15 or 20 years ago. She is always having problems. Now, I spoke with the Doctor I am going to about it. He said that the reason people who had the surgery so long ago have problems is because they used to not know how to operate on obese patients. Therefore, they have had a lot of complications. Not sure if that would be the case or not
   — Ricky K.

May 26, 2000
Hi, Ricky Yes, you are right. Dr. have made a lot of advances in the surgery since my day. I am still looking for answers for my problem and pray no one else has to go through this. I understand that this problem is extremely rare so that is the good news! Thanks for your concern.
   — Denise W.

August 21, 2001
Regarding Intussusception....I had gastric bypass RNY (stomach stapling) approximately 17 years ago. About two years later I awoke early morning in severe pain. Unlike any pain imaginable. This is not something to second guess it is very fatal if not taken care of immediately. No tests really diagnose it except exploratory surgery. I was lucky and the repair was made by removing a large section of my intestins and reconnecting to the pouch. I was told it was not due to my bypass and it was in fact very rare and not probable to happen again. This type of problem is more common in male infants and pretty much unheard of in adults. However, since coming to this sight and doing a lot of research on revisions and WLS I have found that it may in fact be somewhat linked to the earlier surgery. My medical records did mention the 48 hours that another person posted. But that is not always the case so immediate action is needed. From the onset of my pain to surgery was seven hours. According to the surgeon I could not of withstood the trauma more than an hour more. I have through the years become very aware of any pain that resembles that because I feel you cannot be to careful when this has happen to you once.
   — Julie B.

May 11, 2004
Hi, I am sorry you had that awful experience. I had the same thing happen to me. I was 5 years post op and pregnant with my first baby. I had a severe pain that kept getting worse. I went to the hospital and of course, they put me in labor and delivery for 2 days before calling in a surgeon. I began vomiting blood and bloating from the blockage and the intussuception. They had to remove 100 cm of small intestine and my spleen because of necrosis. I was 24 weeks pregnant and received 5 units of blood also. It has been a little over a year since the surgery but my biggest fear is it reoccuring. the surgeon said I had so much scar tissue from the GBS that it took him 45 minutes to clear it away. Since then too, my stomach stretched from the bloating and I have gained back 40 pounds. I had my bypass surgery in may of 98. I understand the pain that you felt, when I went into labor, it was a breeze compared to the pain from the inussusception. I would have 5 babies rather than go through that again.
   — lisa R.