Question 1

i was recently discharged after a bowel obstruction. i did not have surgery. i am curious to know what my recovery time should be on average and what i should watch for with my stool. also, when should i feel safe eating solid foods?

Accepted Answer

: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. The doctors who examined you would be in a better position to address your questions and concerns.  
Wish you good health!

Question 2

i just had a bowel obstruction and surgery for the first time in my life dr said should have never happened.  a week later i am having same symptoms c?

Accepted Answer

See your Dr: If you are developing the same symptoms as before the surgery you should see your surgeon or ER doctor as soon as possible.  It's unlikely you have another bowel obstruction and more likely your bowels have not "woken up" completely yet, but to be sure you should have some x-rays at the very least.

Question 3

had gastric bypass in '04, bowel obstruction in '09 & hernia in '12. surgeries for each. 10/14 i started with upper ab pain, 10/15 vomited bile. pain's constant 3/4 at times 8/10. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

See your Doctor NOW: I would see your doctor urgently or consider going to the er-or at least call your surgeon and let them know-now.

Question 4

after bowel obstruction surgery, can it reoccur?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Every abdominal surgery increase the risk of future obstructions due to scar tissue.  That is way we try conservative or non-operative treatment whenever is safe to do so.

Question 5

i had surgery to remove a piece of my bowel. is this bowel obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Intestinal: Resections are performed for many reasons, such as injury, tumor, adhesions, infections, inflammation.  And yes, any intestinal surgery can cause adhesions which in turn can cause intestinal obstruction.

Question 6

bowel obstruction, emergency surgery, what to do?

Accepted Answer

NG drainage first: If work  up and blood tests do not reveal possible perforation or necrosis of bowel then conservative treatment first employed with nasogastric drainage.  If this doesn't work then exploration and decompression indicated.

Question 7

how often should you walk after having bowel obstruction surgery?

Accepted Answer

As much as you can: The intrinsic activity of your bowel slows down, at times very significantly after any abdominal surgery.  Being active will minimize the delay in recovery.  In general, the less time you spend in bed, the quicker your recovery.

Question 8

how long can a person live with a bowel obstruction after cancer surgery?

Accepted Answer

Need more info.: How soon after the surgery did the bowel obstruction occur?  Is it a large- or small bowel obstruction?  Do the doctors believe the obstruction is due to recurrent cancer or adhesions?  Is it an incomplete or complete obstruction?  Please ask these questions of the treating physicians for a better understanding of this complex problem.

Question 9

why is there a hard knot near the belly button after bowel obstruction surgery?

Accepted Answer

Depends: What type of surgery did you have; open or laparoscopic? Is there a healing incision at the site? I  assuming the firmness that you feel is at the site of a healing scar. It will resolve over a few months. See your surgeon for an exam to be sure that you are healing properly.

Question 10

suffering with bowel obstruction due to scar tissue. how can i do without surgery?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: If you are having bowels obstruct, then you need surgery. Better to repair this when you are doing fair than an emergency. You have an emergency bowel obstruction and it could mean weeks in the hospital. An elective surgery is six times less risky.

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Doctor answers about:

Bowel obstruction surgery recovery time

A member asked:

I was recently discharged after a bowel obstruction. i did not have surgery. i am curious to know what my recovery time should be on average and what i should watch for with my stool. also, when should i feel safe eating solid foods?

A member asked:

I just had a bowel obstruction and surgery for the first time in my life dr said should have never happened. a week later i am having same symptoms c?

A member asked:

Had gastric bypass in '04, bowel obstruction in '09 & hernia in '12. surgeries for each. 10/14 i started with upper ab pain, 10/15 vomited bile. pain's constant 3/4 at times 8/10. what should i do?

A member asked:

After bowel obstruction surgery, can it reoccur?

A member asked:

I had surgery to remove a piece of my bowel. is this bowel obstruction?

A member asked:

Bowel obstruction, emergency surgery, what to do?

A member asked:

How often should you walk after having bowel obstruction surgery?

A member asked:

How long can a person live with a bowel obstruction after cancer surgery?

A member asked:

Why is there a hard knot near the belly button after bowel obstruction surgery?

A member asked:

Suffering with bowel obstruction due to scar tissue. how can i do without surgery?

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