Abdominal adhesions and bowl obstruction after gastric bypass (SOMETHING TO THINK...
Its been almost 2 years since my gastric bypass and I started getting some pain in my stomach. The doctors could not figure it out. I've had an endoscopy, colonoscopy and many scans and ultra sounds. They said it was constipation, they started watching my gull bladder but really they just could not figure it out. 2 months ago I moved to another state and again started having pains and ended up in the ER. Once again they said constipation and sent me home. within 24 hours of my discharge I was calling 911 due to the pains being so severe I could not walk. It turns out i had a bowl obstruction which was cutting off my circulation. I had to have an emergency surgery but I learned something I was never told before my gastric bypass which might have changed my mind of having it done.
When having any type of abdominal surgery ESPECIALLY a gastric bypass you can get abdominal adhesions (scaring of the tissue) This can cause sever to moderate pain. When you have abdominal adhesions you will ALWAYS FOR EVER be at high risk for a bowl obstruction. So now that I have had this surgery and its to late to go back. I learned that I will probably forever have pain and could again have a bowl obstruction any time for the rest of my life! I'm now questioning if a gastric bypass was the right choice. I'm happy with my weight loss but I'm not happy with the pain and extra surgery's I am having to go threw. (I've had 3 surgeries since my bypass and will probably have more to come.) Something to talk to your doctor about before getting a gastric bypass or if you are having unexplained abd. pain....
Yes it's a possibility. You (general you) will have scar tissue (adhesions) with ANY surgery including abdominal surgery which could possibly cause bowel obstructions. I've had several lap female surgeries, gallbladder surgery, hysterectomy and with all of these (some prior to WLS, some after) adhesions were found to varying degrees. That's why it is imperative to be proactive and seek medical treatment for unknown pains to continue and are severe.
Glad you were able to get your obstruction resolved.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
This was shared with me by my surgeon at my initial consult. I also had an umbilical hernia from one of my c-sections and it was a HUGE risk of an obstruction. I don't regret my surgeries. . . and its always good to know that these are possibilties so you don't underestimate the need to get tot he ER if you are feeling this kind of pain.
Heather Mom to 3
Surgery August 9, 2012
HW = 225, SW= 205, CW 135 
I understand your frustration and I'm sorry you are going through this. Not to scare you but you need to be proactive there was a lady I knew from OH that died from a bowel obstruction. She waited to long while on vacation and when she finally went to the ER they had no idea about gastric bypass and didn't treat her properly (or at all, just gave her pain meds) and it killed her.
Yes it can happen but usually it is preventable.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
Yes, EVERY surgery creates adhesions. That is part of how your body heals itself, just like if you get a deep cut on your arm or leg. The adhesions themselves don't create pain... it is only when the adhesions interfere with your internal organs that they can cause pain. I have had 8 abdominal/pelvic surgeries and had never had any problem with adhesions until about 2 years ago. After 18 months of intermittent episodes of severe pain that was increasing in frequency (no surgeon wanted to do an exploratory surgery because I already had so many... they did not want to create MORE adhesions), my RNY surgeon finally agreed to go in and find the problem. MY intestine was "growing into" the mesh that was used to repair the incisional hernia (as a result of my open RNY). The surgeon removed the adhesions to free the intestine and to remove the mesh so that it could not happen again.
Was the possibility of bowel obstruction NOT included on the surgical consent form you signed?!? It was on mine... along with a bunch of other potential complications/results of RNY.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
As was mentioned in the previous posts, a list of possible consequences of this surgery were given to me (still a pre-op) at my initial visit. This was on the same line with leakage, hernias, stoma issues (I can't recall the correct terminology at the moment), and death). Any surgery comes with risks and I pray all surgical teams go above and beyond to educate their patients on those risks.
I feel so sorry for all of you that are having these issues and pray for a speedy diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and overall health.
Why are Dr.'s not informing pt.'s about abdominal adhesions and the likely hood of additional surgeries due to abdominal adhesions and bowl obstructions after a gastric bypass? it seems like this is a MAJOR Complication associated with gastric bypass. Does anyone know the statistics of pt.'s having bowl obstructions after a gastric bypass? If the Dr. would have told me that sometime in my life after a gastric bypass I could have bowl obstructions and that I could die from this I probably would have thought twice about this surgery. i don't think this surgery is worth all the pain and suffering I am going threw!! I'm constantly in and out the hospital and dr.'s office. I'm hospitalized every other month if not every month. I'm not living my life but life in and out the hospital and I'm only 30 years old and a mother. My son is so freaked out about all that I have been through as my family and friends. :(
