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intestinal surgery

Read and learn more about intestinal surgery. For more, visit the Crohn’s Disease website DrCrohns.org

Q: Gas and bloating after intestinal surgery?
I had a couple procedures done a couple weeks ago (sigmoid colectomy, and reversal illeostomy) on my abdominal region, and now, a couple weeks later, my intestines continue to gurgle and rumble and build up gas like nobodies business. It gets to the point that my stomach gets distended, and the pain from it spreads to my back. I know that excess gas is a side-effect of intestinal surgery, but I was wondering how much longer should I expect this to go on? I’m eating sort of regularly, though not nearly close to normal, and I’ve pretty frequently been nauseas lately.

Anyone have any tips on when things might start to get back to normal? I’d appreciate it greatly.

A: That is a hard question to answer. A certain amount of gas is normal. It basically depends if the gas is making it through your bowel and getting out okay. If after your two weeks, your abdomen is getting distended to the point you can tap it like a drum, and feel it resonate, then its not normal. You may have a partial blockage. Your diet may need to be changed first, then if that doesn’t work they may need to do a follow through gastrograffin study.

If you are passing gas (farting up a storm), thats good.. just see your doctor on your scheduled appointment date.
If you can tap your belly and hear it resonate like a drum, go see your doctor earlier for a checkup.
If you start passing blood in your stools or stop passing gas entirely, go to the ER for evaluation.

Q: Is there such a type of intestinal surgery as four guts surgery?
I am court reporter, took dep of bariatric surgeon who used the term. It may be spelled wrong…any ideas?

A: Taken out of context like this I think he might mean foregut surgery (surgery of the fore gut…the anterior or frontal part of the stomach).

Q: How long does it take to recover from intestinal surgery?

A: Depends on what kind. Generally you are up and walking in a few days, and able to get around pretty well by two weeks, and completely healed by 5-6 weeks. My bil had 4 intestinal surgeries due to cancer and was home in 4-5 days after each one and getting around really well by 3 weeks. He was 53 and already weakened by radiation therapy, so if you are younger and generally healthy you will probably heal faster.

Q: What kind of diet should I be on after intestinal surgery?

A: You actually should avoid fruits and vegetables – you want a very low fiber diet. Make sure the food is malleable (soft).

Eat yogurt to help restore the digestion. No fiber in yogurt and the bacteria inside helps natural digestive processes. Don’t put any nuts in the yogurt though.

Your doctor should go through this all with you, and any questions should probably be directed to him or her

Q: How does the gastric intestinal bypass surgery could help patients who have hypothyroidism ?
and or depression to lose weigh?

A: i doubt it. when you consider that you are not dealing with the root cause of the problem (hypothyroidism or depression), all that will occur is that the weight will come on again. remember, the surgery is reversible. you will get your stomach back. try to deal with the actual issue, of which the weight gain is only a symptom.

if you do want to lose weight in the meantime, try the fullbar. it was created by a doctor who performs those surgeries, and according to him, it has the same effects, but is obviously non-invasive. you can get info at his website, fullbar.com.

Q: Would intestinal bypass surgery be an effective way to lose weight?

A: Gastric bypass surgery should only be done if someone is 100 pounds or more overweight. The process for being approved for this surgery can take up to a year, and is quite thorough (psychiatric evaluation, diet change, exercise program, and close monitoring of your weight by your primary care physician). If you’ve tried everything, and still can’t get that weight off, this may be a viable option for you (especially if you are at increased risk, or diagnosed with, diabetes, heart, or liver disease). Here’s a website that I hope will answer any other questions you may have regarding this procedure:

http://www.bariatricedge.com/dtcf/pages/gastric_bypass.htm?WT.srch=1

Good luck!

Q: Did your baby have surgery for intestinal malrotation? How does s/he act now?
It seems like my 8-month old son has kept some of the same “habits” he developed before he had surgery… the back arching, the constant mumbly grumbling & fussing, sometimes growling and LOTS of rolling in the crib or on the floor or in my arms.
I’m just curious if any other babies seemed to resolve a lot of their similar habits or did it just seem to become a part of who they are? And if it’s been a while, did things calm down at some point or change drastically?

A: I had that when I was a baby, and I didn’t keep going back to get it, just had it one time. I am shorter than my family members, have unusually arched back, preferred to sleep on stomach for the longest time, till I was pregnant with my own child!, still didn’t swallow properly for the longest time, BUT at the time of the surgery, and for a couple years after, my parents said I was at least a lot quieter and not as pudgy from wanting food all the time. My dad said he actually worried coz I wasn’t talking much or asking for what I wanted anymore, since they’d gotten used to me always crying and screaming prior to that surgery. But I did have, and still somewhat retained a few old habits from way back then.

Q: What type of surgeon can perform surgery on an intestinal injury caused by a c-section?

A: General surgeons perform intestinal surgery

Q: post-intestinal surgery on puppy…
my puppy is a little over 3 months old and he had to have surgery for an intestinal obstruction a week and a half ago. Since then he has recovered amazingly. He is back to his old self and bouncy and happy – i’m just wondering, is he in the clear?

I’m just scared that I have to still be super super gentle with him.

he went into cardiac arrest right after his surgery and started breathing shortly thereafter- does that mean his heart is weaker now or no?

A: Yes, it is amazing how fast these animals recover from major surgery. I’d be moaning on the sofa for the next month eating up all the attention and treats that any sympathetic human offered!

Your pup should be fine as long as the cause was removed.

If you are concerned about his heart, I would ask the vet who did the surgery. Some dogs are more sensitive to the anesthesia and will go into cardiac arrest. It does not mean their heart is weak.

Good luck with your pup from now on.

Q: surgery for intestinal blockage and the doctor stated gangrene- can u explain surgery procedures please ?
she is in emergency surgery -shes 73 and doctor stated hernia and gangrene ,intestinal blockage any doc out there to explain more , thank you-time is 4:20 PM 11-1-08

A: normally this is not complicated.
imagine a hole in the wall, circular, about 4 inches diameter
now imagine a long linked sausage– the sausage gets a loop in it (fold it in half), and this loop gets pushed through the hole in the wall.

on the other side of the wall, this loop of sausage now gets twisted a few times — all kinked up so that now you cannot pull it out of the wall any more.

that’s an “incarcerated hernia”. And the kinked, twisted, piece of sausage ( the intestine) will have to be cut out, and the remaining intestine sewn back together.

surgically this is very simple, but depending on many factors, patients can be VERY sick from this. If there is a LOT of dead bowel involved, this can kill people — but do not get unnecessarily alarmed. Trust your doctors to give you updates on her condition, and speak with the nurses regularly. You’ll just have to wait day by day and see how quickly she can come out of this.

good luck !

Q: My cat diagnosed with Intestinal obstruction how fatal is it? Can it be treated without surgery?
After having x-rays the doctor found a foreign body in my cat. They gave her fluid and cerenia injectable to stop the vomiting. They offered me surgery but I said I’d rather wait to see if she can pass it herself. So they gave me laxatone to use to help the kitty. Eight hours later the kitty is the same, no vomiting, but no bowel movement. She doesn’t eat or drink anything and she is withdrawn. What should I do? Should I wait more or run to the hospital immediately? Do I put my cat in danger?

A: If the laxatone was going to work it would have by now. The reason the vomiting has stopped is not because she is better. It is because she isn’t eating anything to come back up.

No eating or drinking and being withdrawn is your clue that you must do something now. Don’t wait, go to the hospital. She very well may die by morning. A blockage is a very unpleasant and painful death.

If you love your cat you will get her there right away for surgery. She is trusting you to do what she needs done to get better.

Q: Does intestinal surgery disqualify a person from consideration for the United States Coast Guard?
I’m a 22 year old married male who is interested in joining the Coast Guard. 6 years ago I had intestinal surgery because, basically speaking, my intestines tied themselves into a knot. The surgeon had to cut a few inches of my intestine out to correct the problem. I was told that it was very unlikely to happen again. I understand that the Coast Guard happens to be a very selective branch and I was interested to know if my previous surgery would disqualify me from consideration or if I would require a waiver.

A: Not knowing the technical name here is the whole section:

I will guess you have a scar that will be seen at MEPS

2–3. Abdominal organs and gastrointestinal system
a. Esophagus. Current or history of esophageal disease, including, but not limited to ulceration, varices, fistula,
achalasia, or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (530.81), or complications from GERD including stricture, or
maintenance on acid suppression medication, or other dysmotility disorders; chronic, or recurrent esophagitis (530.1), is
disqualifying. Current or history of reactive airway disease associated with GERD is disqualifying. Current or history
of dysmotility disorders, chronic, or recurrent esophagitis (530) is disqualifying. History of surgical correction for
GERD within 6 months is disqualifying. (P42 esophageal correction, P43 stomach correction and P45 intestinal
correction.)
b. Stomach and duodenum.
(1) Current gastritis, chronic or severe (535), or non-ulcerative dyspepsia that requires maintenance medication is
disqualifying.
(2) Current ulcer of stomach or duodenum confirmed by x-ray or endoscopy (533) is disqualifying.
(3) History of surgery for peptic ulceration or perforation is disqualifying.
c. Small and large intestine.
(1) Current or history of inflammatory bowel disease, including, but not limited to unspecified (558.9), regional
enteritis or Crohn’s disease (555), ulcerative colitis (556), or ulcerative proctitis (556), is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of intestinal malabsorption syndromes, including, but not limited to post-surgical and
idiopathic (579), is disqualifying. Lactase deficiency is disqualifying only if of sufficient severity to require frequent
intervention, or to interfere with normal function
(3) Current or history of gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders within the past 2 years, including, but not
limited to pseudo-obstruction, megacolon, history of volvulus, or chronic constipation and/or diarrhea (787.91),
regardless of cause, persisting or symptomatic in the past 2 years, is disqualifying.
(4) Current or history of irritable bowel syndrome (564.1) of sufficient severity to require frequent intervention or to
interfere with normal function is disqualifying.
(5) History of bowel resection is disqualifying.
(6) Current symptomatic diverticular disease of the intestine is disqualifying.
d. Gastrointestinal bleeding. History of gastrointestinal bleeding (578), including positive occult blood (792.1) if the
cause has not been corrected, is disqualifying. Meckel’s diverticulum (751.0), if surgically corrected greater than 6
months prior, is not disqualifying.
e. Hepatic-biliary tract.
(1) Current acute or chronic hepatitis, hepatitis carrier state (070), hepatitis in the preceding 6 months, or persistence
of symptoms after 6 months, or objective evidence of impairment of liver function is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of cirrhosis (571), hepatic cysts (573.8), abscess (572.0), or sequelae of chronic liver disease
(571.3) is disqualifying.
( 3 ) C u r r e n t o r h i s t o r y o f s y m p t o m a t i c c h o l e c y s t i t i s , a c u t e o r c h r o n i c , w i t h o r w i t h o u t c h o l e l i t h i a s i s ( 5 7 4 ) ,
postcholecystectomy syndrome, or other disorders of the gallbladder and biliary system (576) are disqualifying.
Cholecystectomy is not disqualifying if performed greater than 6 months prior to examination and patient remains
asymptomatic. Fiberoptic procedure to correct sphincter dysfunction or cholelithiasis if performed greater than 6
months prior to examination and patient remains asymptomatic may not be disqualifying.
(4) Current or history of pancreatitis, acute (577.0) or chronic (577.1), is disqualifying.
(5) Current or history of metabolic liver disease, including, but not limited to hemochromatosis (275.0), Wilson’s
disease (275.1), or alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency (277.6), is disqualifying
(6) Current enlargement of the liver from any cause (789.1) is disqualifying.
f. Anorectal.
(1) Current anal fissure or anal fistula (565) is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of anal or rectal polyp (569.0), prolapse (569.1), stricture (569.2), or fecal incontinence
(787.6) within the last 2 years is disqualifying.
(3) Current hemorrhoid (internal or external), when large, symptomatic, or with a history of bleeding (455) within
the last 60 days, is disqualifying.
g. Spleen.
(1) Current splenomegaly (789.2) is disqualifying.
(2) History of splenectomy (P41.5) is disqualifying, except when resulting from trauma.
h. Abdominal wall.
(1) Current hernia, including, but not limited to uncorrected inguinal (550) and other abdominal wall hernias (553),
are disqualifying.
(2) History of open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery during the preceding 6 months (P54) is disqualifying.
i. Other. History of any gastrointestinal procedure for the control of obesity is disqualifying. Artificial openings,
including, but not limited to ostomy (V44), are disqualif

Q: Having had intestinal surgery I can no longer digest anything, it all releases, what can I take to strentghen?
I am also diabetic, so no alternatives in sweets if possible also it’s been 2 years since the surgery and right after a meal I release. Liquid never hard or solid formed, every meal and every day. I have the BMs so often I get dehydrated and feel fatigued-dizzy and blah. Here is some details on the matter it was intestinal recession obstructure and twist which called for a removal of six feet small intestine to be removed. It was exploratory, so in a plea of someone somewhere about to help me out, what can I do to repair this reaction, perhaps due to the surgery or botched exploration, what is recommended to have a normal life again?

A: Seeing a different doctor, either an internist or an endocrinologist is the best suggestion.

Supplement your diet with fiber, such as BeneFiber, to help “solidify” things. It would seem that somehow you’re suffering froma Vitamin deficiency of some kind, but you really, really need to have a doctor tell you the next course of action.

Also, if you are taking Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage), the medication is known to have a laxative effect on some diabetics. Additionally, you should avoid sorbitol and saccharin, as they both also cause a laxative effect.

Q: 12 year old cat diagnosed with intestinal tumor – Should I go through with surgery or not?
Please tell me if you have had this experience and what the outcome was. From what ive been told and read, the success rate isn’t so good.
The operation will be tomorrow morning. Should we reconsider?

A: This happened to my brother’s cat and the vet advised they open her up and see if it was operable and if not then they wouldn’t wake her up again . I think if it was me I would go ahead with the operation and see what they find-good luck. Even if it just buys your cat a bit more time with a good quality of life then it’s worth it.

Q: What are the alternative treatments(not surgery to remove)for an intestinal blockage due to hair ball in cats?

A: you can add sunflower oil.olive oil or cod liver oil to a cats diet

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