Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Sponsored by Hollister
Login   |  
Forgot password?
 
Forum
Videos
Reviews
About Us
Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Where Everybody Understands You
41,423 members
May 25, 2018

Managing post-surgery bowel obstructions - Seeking advice

This topic is about dealing with recurring partial bowel obstructions after having a colostomy. A person who has been through colorectal cancer and has had a colostomy since 2012 is experiencing repeated hospital visits due to partial bowel blockages. They had surgery to remove adhesions in 2018, but the problem persists, with severe abdominal pain and occasional hard masses near the stoma. They are seeking advice from others who might have faced similar issues.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Consider asking your surgeon about endoscopic dilation of narrowed segments before deciding on more surgery. This procedure might help avoid another re-section.

2. Keep in mind that new surgeries can lead to more adhesions and potential future obstructions. It's important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits.

3. If you experience persistent or worsening pain with little ostomy output, it's crucial to have a thorough diagnostic work-up. This might include repeat CT scans to check for strictures, severe adhesions, or Crohn’s disease.

4. Severe strictures can develop quickly, so timely surgery might be necessary and could be lifesaving.

5. Some daily self-care steps that have helped others include:
- Gentle, sustained massage over the area where the pain begins.
- Maintaining a high fluid intake, aiming for about 64–96 ounces (2–3 liters) of water per day.

6. While standard irrigation didn't help one person, combining massage with proper hydration eliminated their episodes over three years.

7. Be aware that symptoms can sometimes start on the opposite side of the stoma, even if the blockage is on the left side. It's helpful to track and note your individual pain patterns.
See full discusison
Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
MeetAnOstoMate.org

MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,423 members.

“I found real people, real humor, and answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.”

“The support here impressed my husband’s medical team - they plan to recommend it.”

“This community saved me when I thought I was a freak. Now I’m thriving.”

“Thank god for this site - I finally knew what to ask my surgeon.”

Join Free

Popular Topics

New member
Life is definitely lifin 😄
New to Colostomy: Can I Eat Popcorn or Mango?
Idk if I did this right 🥴
Shiny Skin and Rash Issues with Ostomy Products
Hii
Grateful
Ileostomy and Kidney Disease: Seeking Advice and Experiences
Leaking Ostomy: Seeking Advice for Belly Button Issues
Seeking Support for First Family Gathering Post-Surgery

New Topics

B. Withers - Be Kind 118
🔮 These are the Horoscopes for the week of August 11, 2025
73-Year-Old Basketball Player Shares Life After Colon Surgery and Ostomy
New to ostomy
Getting reversal on 9/11
Covid vaccine prevents cancer - ish.
I'm Home from Surgery and Feeling Great, but My Mom's Reactions Are Tough
Small Lump on Stoma After Activity: Seeking Advice
Shiny Skin and Rash Issues with Ostomy Products
Bowel Cancer
About us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Ostomy Blogs | Ostomy Q&A | Guides | Contact Us
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.
Copyright (c) MeetAnOstoMate.org All Rights Reserved
Create Account
Login
↑