Re: Surgery to correct adhesions in non-emergency cases

From: Jenny (jenklow@hotmail.com)
Tue Feb 4 10:23:13 2003


You can have adhesions removed in non-emergencies if you can find a doctor who will do it. There are alot surgeons who will do this surgery. I have had this done though both laparascopically and with a laparotomy. I have had 8 surgeries in all with all but 2 for removing adhesions with either repair work, a hysterectomy, removal of an ovarian mass and 3 inches of my colon, and an ectopic pregnancy. I actually am needing another. I have heard alot of the women here at this site say that it is not worth having another surgery until SprayGel is approved in the US. Right now it is not FDA approved although it is being tested in some areas of the US. The barriers that are FDA approved have not worked well for me, obviously. They have even used more than one at a time and I have still formed massive adhesions. I understand your pain though as does everyone here. I do know that laparscopically removing the adhesions is supposed to be best because it is less invasive and less adhesions are said to form after the procedure. I only hadd the adhesions removed laparascopically twice. The first time it lasted a year. The second time, I had no relief and worse pain than when I started out, but I think that was due to the surgeon I had. I would consider all options before doing anything. This group is great at educating adhesion sufferers. Check the archives here and educate yourself before making any decisions. Prayerfully that SprayGel will be approved soon! I sure hope this helps.

Big hugs of comfort, Jenny

At Tue, 4 Feb 2003, Siouxshi wrote: >
>i have been in and out of the hospital with surgeries, NG tubes, and the
>waiting game for bowel obstructions due to adhesion from 4 prior
>abdominal surgeries. on christmas eve, that familiar pain hit me duirng
>a large family gathering AT MY HOUSE. i was determined not to be in the
>hospital for x-mas so i borrowed some darvocet from my neighbor recoving
>from a c-section and waited it out at home. during these episodes that
>occur at least once a month, i do not go to the hospital unless a fever
>develops or a begin vomitting. while in the middle of the pain, i am
>determined to get help for myself this time but when it has passed, i am
>so grateful and feel so good that i don't ever call my doctor.
>
>do doctors go in to clean out adhesions (and possibly use the new
>formation preventions) without being in the middle of an obstruction? do
>i have to continue this cycle until another 100% blockage occurs instead
>of the partials i have been having? 100% or a partial, the pain is the
>same. i cannot eat regular meals, cannot digest meat or veggies very
>well. i live on cereal and bread with the occassional potato and pasta.
>the weight loss if OK with me but not enjoying the foods i love and
>living in fear of when the next episode will hit me and not knowing
>where i will be when it does it a crappy way to live, as i am sure you
>understand.
>
>can this be an elective, laparoscopic surgery or must it be a required,
>laparatomy always??? thanks for any help!


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