Question:
Anyone having problems with adhesions and what do they feel like?

I'm 4 months post-op and feeling twinges of pain in my lower abdomen. Could these pangs be adhesions forming? I'm also plagued with abdominal gas a lot which usually goes away with a few Tums. Sometimes those little pains go away with the Tums as well. Anyone else have any problems like this?    — Lacy G. (posted on April 8, 2001)

April 8, 2001
I would think if you have adhesions from this surgery, it would be higher in the abdomen. I've had other surgeries too, and this is usually the case. I also have a lot of gas problems, and the pain is further down in the bowels. Most likely, you're just suffering from trapped gas. I know this is crazy, but a friend of mine rolls on the floor with arms up until the gas breaks up. LOL She swears by this method. If you can get a private moment, try it. Also, use beano. It helps to avoid it before it begins.
   — Amy K.

July 8, 2001
I have been having this problem lately myself. I hate it! Let me know if you get answers from anyone.
   — paintnmynails

October 15, 2001
I have had the VGB surgery and have had to have my stoma stretch 4 times because of adheshions. The doctors go in with a small endoscopy and open the stoma back up. I have also had brain surgery done for Parkinsons and have also had adhesions removed from the cable going from my brain to a pacemaker type of device in my chest. Some end up with adhesions and alot of people don't. Good-luck! Ann
   — Anna H.

March 15, 2002
I was hospitalized in October with severe abdominal pain for four days. The surgeon thinks it may have been adhesions, but no one ever gave me a straight answer. I've had other minor episodes, which I have learned to treat symptomaticaly. It started with fatigue, malaise, pale, loss of appetite, and a feeling of being "filled up" even when I've had normal bowel movements. Then I get these twinges. And my abdomen gets somewhat distended. I also get periods of bad gas, which is embarassing. I found that cutting back to soups, fruits and fluids for a few days helps. I also take dandelion tea and senokot S. The doctor did a ton of tests, ct scans, ultrasounds of my gallbladder, etc. but everything was negative. I'm still considering going back and demanding an endoscopy, but I'm waiting for another episode. I need to preserve my sick leave... another reality. But most of the time I'm fine. If anyone has any info or feedback on this, I'd appreciate it.
   — Aurele K.

April 17, 2002
I had a horrible case of constipation, two years post-op, or so I thought. After trying to relieve the prolem with over the counter medicines, I agreed to go to the hospital and have an X-ray taken. Although the local hospital thought the image was just a back-up, my stomach doctor knew exactly what it was and schedualed me for surgery that day. After surgery I was informed the grapefruit sized adhesion was totally blocking my lower bowel and had I waited another week I'd be dead.
   — Charlene B.

July 15, 2002
I had pain in the center of the abdomen and a ton of gas. I could not keep down solid foods and the doctor thought it was the stoma closing. By the time we did the endo (later in the week) I could not keep water down. The stoma was the size of a small pencil eraser and they opened it to dime size. Now the stomach empties, but I feel the gas, pressure, and pain further down in the bowel. I too am wondering if it is the starting of a blockage. I will ask the doctor on Friday.
   — Thomas M.

September 5, 2004
I also have had many problems with adhesions & obstructions since the surgery. About 3-5 days a week I am constipated & need to take laxatives to relieve the pain & pressure.. However I have found that drinking tons of water will help keep your system moving. A few months back I all of a sudden felt weak & drained and started throwing up.. Thinking it was a virus of sorts I just dealt with it for a few days. Finally after getting weak to the point I was unable to stand my hubby took me to the ER where I was sent via ambulance to a major hospital & underwent immediate surgery for a bowel obstruction... I do not even remember the first week after that.. My guess is that most of us will suffer with constipation due to our high protein diets and adhesions cannot be helped.. Just remember if you start having problems to consult your doctor. It's better to be safe than a statistic..
   — Anne T.