Kidney Donor

My mother donated a kidney to a friend a month ago.  Since the surgery, her colon has not started functioning properly.  She is bloated and full of air and gas.  She has also been experiencing a lot of pain with this.  The doctors say that her colon is full of air and her colon isn't absorbing the fluids that it normally does; therefore, that space in her colon fills with air.  They have given her medicine to help push the air out and help get her colon functioning normally again.  She doesn't seem to be getting better and the medicine doesn't seem to be working.  Her stomach is 10 inches bigger around than it normally is.  Her family is worried and we are thinking she needs to get a second opinion.  Any ideas about what this might be?  What might be causing it?  And how to fix it???  My mother is 52 and was in perfect health before this.  She is a small lady that eats healthy and works out regularly.  Please help!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Obtaining imaging with plain films or a CT scan can be done to exclude a bowel obstruction, which can happen after surgery.

Bloating and gas can be present with malabsorption or irritable bowel disease.  

Sending the stool off for culture and analysis, as well as blood tests to exclude celiac disease can be done.

A colonoscopy can also be considered to comprehensively evaluate the lower GI tract.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[ozark]

have they done any xrays?  did they say anything about an ileus? i know it's been a month or so but just a thought
i would probably get a second opinion