Advice needed from those with total blockage surgeries

[Shelia]

In Nov 2013 I had surgery for a total blockage and had a former surgery and that resect was undone and redone. A few months ago had Ct and radiologist thought I had fistula and surgeon said no fistula. Had colonscopy and it was clear and started feeling better. Two weeks ago started feeling like my stomach would pop so distended even from eating a small amount. So I started crushing my pills and went on a more soluble diet. There have been times I don't even want to drink . The bloating when I eat is more pronounced to the left of my incision site.
Today I had a small bowel series to be sure of no stricture, it was all clear and I'm glad but still frustrated since I don't feel as great as the test appeared. The radiologist suggested an endoscopic MRI to view the outside and I'm considering this. Especially since tonight I ate a normal amount and again the foods hit a certain place and I swell up there. My brother had Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer which passed to his liver and had surgeries for each and has been cancer free for 6 months.
I want to be smart and test what needs testing. On the other hand I wonder if any of you have experienced this with just healing.
Thanks for any advice just so frustrated, I'm not making up how I feel and my husband doesn't seem to get it.

 

[Shelia]

My GI doctor isn't available until next Thursday so I am going to see my surgeon the same day instead. I will just go from there. I've been eating these past few days and bloating up still. Hopefully an answer of some type is around the corner.

 

[Daisy123]

I wish I could help. I have had surgeries for strictures and not blockages. How are your stools? Mine are like water because it seems I have strictures again. I get bloating and distension. I wonder if you are having a motility problem?

 

[If*]

Sometimes after an op bloating can be a lingering effect. I have no idea why. What has helped me is to lay on my side for 10/15 minutes then switch to the other side. It somehow moves my guts along. I notice one side can bring more comfort then the other on occasion. I also take slow deep breaths through the nose and blow out though the mouth while laying down.
Always seek Dr. advice, or go to er.

Hope you feel better

 

[Shelia]

First Daisy, thanks for your response. My first surgery was for a stricture, fistula and abscess. My second surgery was for a total blockage and for me two different recoveries about 10 yrs apart. My stools were pretty normal until I started bloating and found I could eat less and less it started as diarrhea than constipation. Then I go low residue and start feeling a little better, have another test first was CT, then Colonscopy then Small bowel series, which all show clear. The last four days I've started trying to eat more normal and at first I had a few normal bowel movements then today back to diarrhea. I ate three times today and I feel distended. So it's like round and round I go. I look forward to my follow up with the surgeon and I will be sure to mention motility. To the left of my incision I can feel the food get to a certain place and stick, it use to come and go but now it stays it feels round and solid. Today I would do a few things around the house and have to sit and rest. Went to get a few groceries and felt major nauseous and like I could pass out my the time I got to the car. By a certain time of the day I'm having to lay in bed from exhaustion and my incision line burning and feeling pressure from bloating.

 

[Shelia]

If I thank you for your response as well, I've tried your laying from side to side and breathing and it seemed to help some. My surgery was seven months ago and the numbness is still there and I have to constantly change positions and getting up out of bed is dreadful. I had a surgery last Nov for total blockage, it was my second surgery. The first surgery was 10 yrs earlier and my resect was connected by wrapping fat around it. This second surgery the surgeon had to undo the whole thing and redo it and I had more scar tissue than she initially thought. She did what she could laproscopically but ended up making about a 5 inch incision in my old scar as well. Point being with all the muscles being cut through I'm sure healing is still occurring and things will feel different. I'm going to write down all my symptoms and questions tomorrow and start getting ready for this appointment. Any and all suggestions of what to ask are welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Shelia]

Got my small bowel series in the mail today and read through it, it stated no motility problems.

 

[Daisy123]

I had a CT scan which showed the strictures, it is worth having the MRE

 

[Shelia]

I will probably end up having the endoscopic MRI just feel like my surgeon could get it scheduled faster than my GI doctor. I have to wait weeks at times just to get him a message. As you know sometimes waiting isn't good .