Bypass surgery 6 years ago. about 14 months post op I started experiencing severe pains that would come in waves and then go away. I was told I had Ulcers and given Zantac. Over the next 5-6 months the pain became more frequent and more severe until I finally went to the ER only to find out that I had a bowel obstruction caused by scar tissue from the GB. Approximately two years later I ended up with another bowel obstruction though this one was a quick twist as opposed to a lengthy process. Both obstructions required surgery to repair with the second one also including a few extra stiches to tack my intestine to keep them from getting tangled again. Now, a few notes. The first bowel obstruction showed up on an X-ray, but only after having a little "cocktail" the Dr. whipped up to show where the blockage
was, at the time it only showed barely enough for them to know something was wrong and they had to perform "exploratory" surgery as they really didn't know what to expect. Since I was 3 months pregnant they were limited on what testing they could do. The second obstruction was visible on a CT and they never did an X-Ray, while they were untwisting my intestines they also removed more scar tissue that had formed since the first BO, Recently I started experiencing occasional pains similar to what I remember the first blockage
feeling like (the scar tissue one), and I instantly got scared. Having been told that scar tissue could very easily cause this to happen again I called the Dr. and made an appointment. Now, I have not really dealt with my PCP for these conditions as I usually ended up in the ER and dealt directly with the surgeon and my PCP has frequently changed... When I went to the Dr. (not mine as she was on LOA). He immediately set me up with an x-ray which came back negative, but my concern is that the first one barely showed up and only after drinking that cocktail which I did not have this time. I appreciate that he listened to my concerns but I still think that another obstruction is forming and if it is I want to catch it early... Besides the severe pain in my upper abdomen that occurs with temp obstructions (I know this because I will "throw-up", or at least as much as I can actually throw up.) I never had any problems with bowel movements as the first obstruction was never complete and things could still pass through. I have never really been able to throw up since my GB, so really I only experienced bile and dry heaving. I'm just running on and on now, so I think I will just leave it at this, but it you can help or have any additional questions please let me know. I don't want to just continue going to the doctor if I'm not going to get anywhere. I have an HMO, but I believe having already been a patient of the surgeon I could just go straight to him... I just feel kind of lost right now. I am praying that it is not really happening again, but I am scared to death