Bowel Obstruction Surgery/Sepsis Infection

[Tara813]

My mother had bowel obstruction surgery back in January. After the surgery she ended up with a wound infection and was in ICU for 2 days. They left the wound open and was sent home. I had to change the wound three times a day until it closed.

About 2 weeks after the wound closed she ended up with a swollen stomach and when I say swollen I mean like she is 9 months pregnant. The Doctor did another ct scan and said tghat there is no hernia however that he believes that the muscles in the stomach never healed on the inside (never came together).

I guess my question is what can we do about this. She is very depressed over her appearance she still has pain and discomfort, the stomach is so hard and stretched to its maximum, and nobody can give us an answer. I feel there has to be something else going on here. I am very worried and beside myself for her. Please any little information or advise will help.

Tara

[pfunk451]

did they give her a girdle to wear while abdomen was healing? probably should have. get a second opinion as this may require another surgery to fix it. if she heals badly, it could set her up for more obstructions. ask about wearing a soft medical type girdle now. can buy them at most pharmacies.

[aldunn72023]

If the doctor is saying that the muscles never healed, then I would have to think that something else is going on.  The muscles do take time to heal, especially with that kind of surgery, but I am not sure how long it takes.  You should get a second opinion and find out what is really going on.  Have her tested for infections, have another radiologist read the CT, or have another CT scan done.  The may even need to do an ultrasound to make sure that a tumor or cyst did not develop during the healing process.  Tell her to hang in there.  Do not be depressed about her appearance, it is a medical condition that she cannot control.  It is nothing that she did wrong.  Just reassure her that there will be a doctor out there that can explain this and help her return to her normal appearance.  I wish you the best of luck and hope that everything turns out okay.  But definitely get a second opinion, they can be life saving and life altering.  Please keep us updated.