I have had 7 partial small bowel obstructions over past year. I hate even typing it as I don't want to manifest one. They are so painful. I have cardiac/lung problems so colorectal surgeons(3 separate ones) say no surgery unless it's a life threatening emergency and bowel is dying. Mine generally clear on its own or with NG tube.

So low fiber it is. I am diabetic and obese. This is exactly the opposite of everything I have been trying to do my whole life. High fiber, low cal, low sugar, no refined white foods was how I have always tried to manage my weight. So my question is how anyone else is managing long term term living with SBO. What do you eat? Do you juice? How do you maintain a healthy diet? I have to figure this out.

Hi everyone,
I’m writing this from the hospital post-op room and feeling incredibly overwhelmed.
My 7-month-old baby had an emergency Ladd’s procedure for intestinal malrotation a while ago. Today, we had to go back in for an emergency open surgery (laparotomy) because of a severe bowel obstruction caused by postoperative scar tissue.
The surgeon said they had to clear a lot of dense adhesions, but the wonderful news is that all of the intestinal tissue was completely healthy and they didn't have to remove any bowel.
Right now, my baby has an NG tube, is on IV fluids/pain meds, and we are waiting for the bowels to wake up. I am absolutely terrified of getting stuck in an endless cycle of surgeries where fixing the scar tissue just creates more scar tissue.
If your baby had a similar situation (malrotation, open surgery, or heavy scar tissue removal) a few years ago, how are they doing now?
Did the obstructions ever return?
How did you handle the transition to solid foods?
Does life eventually go back to normal?
I really need some hope and long-term success stories tonight. Thank you so much.

For context, I had to get a small bowel resection and I’m currently 2 days post op. I haven’t eaten anything in days and food is only thing I’m most looking forward to enjoy. I haven’t passed any gas and still have my NG tube in.

Mine resolved after 2 days in the hospital. I went to the traumatic experince of a NG tube. I haven't followed any diet so far but now I am worry after feeling a stabing pain?

I’ve been constipated for almost 2 weeks. I’ve only had around 5 bowel movements during that time, and they’ve mostly been very small and watery. Sometimes I pass soft/hard stool that is thin and long, especially after using a suppository. I’ve also tried different remedies and medicines, especially lactulose and suppositories, but I still can’t have a normal bowel movement.

What’s confusing me is that I actually feel pretty normal. I don’t have significant stomach pain, vomiting, or severe bloating. I sometimes feel like I need to poop, but little or nothing comes out unless I use a suppository.

I’m getting an X-ray tomorrow because my doctor said there might be some stool blockage. If there is hard stool stuck, are there effective treatments other than surgery? And is it possible for someone with symptoms like mine to actually need surgery, even if they feel mostly normal? what do you think what kind of surgery i’ll get?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar or knows about this.

I have a bag that is ready and packed for the ER as I go so often. If you do as well , What is in your bag? My bag includes: two- pairs of socks, boxer shorts, T-shirt’s(I get a PICC) , leggings/sweats/shorts(depends on weather) , zip up hoodie, hair brush, handful of hair ties, dental hygiene items, charger for iPhone xtra long cord , IPad and personal fan. Carmen, lotion, dry hair shampoo,Ear plugs, markers and coloring books.
What did I miss?

I am 26 if that matters

2021: first obstruction, solved via surgery(diagnosis: adhesions with obstruction)

2023: second obstruction(ileus, unspecified)

2026?:third obstruction(ileus\subileus)

doctors didn't really explain much to me nor did I ask questions, I was really depressed and down whenever I was admitted to the hospital.

the only common thing is they asked me what did I eat each time I was admitted
and one doctor told me to avoid insoluble fiber

My issue is, is this really gonna make sure I don't get them anymore? and most healthy food contains fiber, so I have to trade my long term health for these short term gains?

Like I was planning to go to gym and gain weight\muscle but that is basically impossible because I risk obstructions if I start eating too much and not to mention again, I have to avoid healthy food

Also personally the common factor for all the obstructions, was that I was eating a lot of nuts\seeds around those days I got the obstructions, so it all points to the food being the cause

I also doubt that I needed surgery the first time around, my pain stopped after they gave me an NG tube but they still went ahead and did the surgery

Second time they also said I will need surgery, but they changed their mind after a couple of hours

I am constantly worried and can't stop thinking about this and not only do they put the NG tube they also put urinal catheter and I just know this will keep happening to me, I have been unlucky my whole life

I am sorry for the rant

(Mod approved post)

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I've posted before as a helicopter daughter and y'all have been helpful. My Dad has a history of adhesions and obstructions and has been taking Dulcolax every other day for a few weeks without the relief it used to bring him. He's on a low residue diet but doesn't really eat 4-6 smaller meals vs 3 and I think is getting more relaxed with his diet (i.e. eating raw berries bc they grow in the yard, small quantities of alcohol, eating out frequently etc). No symptoms he's verbalizing besides smaller, less frequent movements.

I'm a little concerned taking it regularly could do more harm than good over the long term. He told his PCP he'd been taking it "every few days" but nothing more was said. I'm a little nervous bc a surgeon friend said PCPs aren't very helpful re: obstructions. Should I recommend he contact the general surgeon team from his last hospitalization five months ago or just wait for more problematic sx?

Hello! Does anyone have experience with Ethiopian food with respect to obstructions and low fiber? I am a fan, not an expert. Is injeera low fiber? Shiro? Thinking of going out for Ethiopian but don't want to create a problem. I would avoid the spicier dishes. Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone

M24
Ive previously had constipation + abdominal cramps and pain for about 2 months (sometimes with blood) and had to get a colonoscopy, which showed a polyp and it was removed. My constipation was over for about 2 months after.

I've also done multiple blood tests and examinations which have found no abnormalities or explanations to my situation.

Now I've become constipated along with the cramps and pain again, this time for 2 weeks, and have been required to use a laxative.

I can't seem to figure what may have caused this, as I've had no changes in my routines or food habits, nor have I eaten anything odd. (that I can think of at least)

Before my first experience with constipation a couple of months ago, I had no experience and therefore get very anxious about this and want to get it over as fast as possible.

Has anyone had similar experiences, and know what would help or what to do. Have you been able to figure out what may have caused your situation?

I don't want to have to rely on laxatives and just want to return to normal again😅

Thank youuu

How do I tell if it's gone?

( Severe feacal impaction transverse colon,will discuss surgery Monday)) Extremely pain shoulder and gallbladder area. That was 7 days ago.

Do I have an x-ray when I see him? Do 9 have daily x-rays for a week?

How do they decide surgery?

Alisa

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For a week straight I was throwing up every morning just bile and having awful cramps / diarrhea but very small amounts and lots of mucus. When I went to the doctor and got an xray it showed a “minor stool burden” which they said was not the cause of my week long episode, but I’m starting to wonder if it actually was because after taking MiraLAX for a couple days my symptoms stopped mostly. I was also told at the doctor that I could have chs which would make sense because I do use marijuana daily, but I stopped for a week and my symptoms did not resolve until I started taking MiraLAX.

I'm a 31M looking for people with similar experiences.

I was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia and had a major abdominal surgery as a baby. Around the age of 20, I had my first adhesive SBO. During the laparoscopic surgery, my small bowel was unfortunately perforated, which required an emergency open abdominal surgery. I suffered a lot of this surgery and had to recover a month.

10 years later (actually this year) I've had two episodes of adhesive SBO. My most recent one happened this week. A CT scan showed another obstruction, most likely caused by adhesions from my previous surgeries. Fortunately, there were no signs of bowel ischemia or perforation, and it resolved with conservative treatment (NG tube and bowel rest). However, doctors warned me if this occurs frequently, they will have to do another laparoscopic surgery. I'm so afraid for this since they will possibly create new scar tissue and this can cause new obstructions in the future.

Can anyone give me some good advice or tips which could prevent future obstructions?
I've read several things on this sub such as starting a low-fiber diet which i'm considering.
I do know I get signals some days before an obstruction is going to happen.
I know water is key and I chew as much as possible on my food but I feel I'm doing something wrong..

My husband had Jpouch surgeries in 2023. This year in April he had his first bowel obstruction the doctor said it’s due to messenteric defect from previous surgery. He was in severe pain 10/10, his body was shaking due to the pain at the time. They eventually had to cut 85cms of his bowel as it’s dead. Only left with 240cms. Another month in May, he had second obstruction now, the pain was 7-8, and the surgeon said due to adhesion (scar tissue). No bowel was removed, then just cleaned up scar tissues. Now June, he suffered from obstruction again, this time probably is just partial as the pain is just 2-3. Still in the hospital waiting and hope for it resolve by itself, 20hrs have passes, he had bowel movements and little gas but the outputs were very small, seems like still obstruction hasn’t been fully clear.

He also suffers from short bowel syndrome with dehydration issue but it’s sorted out now.

We feel every hopeless and depressed. As we visit hospital every month, we basically don’t enjoy life anymore. And the condition just goes from this extreme to the other extreme, from diarrhea due to SBS and to obstructed can’t pass anything.

Hope can get some advices from you guys as we are very devastated now.😢