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Have recently undergone removal of 2 large adhesions, one of which caused a loop in my bowel through which other bits of my bowel were falling through, getting trapped and blocked. I saw photographs the surgeon took prior to removal and I was shocked to find that the main one was the size and thickness of my middle finger, totally smooth and cylindrical and a very healthy pink colour with a root like structure on each end (rather like the stalk and roots of kelp seaweed). I had always imagined adhesions as film like sticky scar tissue patches, not living being structures that are almost like a new organ your body has grown. The surgeon told me there were other adhesions forming but not then causing any problems.

I only stayed in hospital for one night and the following week was great, I just felt so good, better than I had in years. I thought "Yes, at last the final hurdle has been passed and I am now reaping the full rewards of my new J-pouch". My appetite returned and I was able to eat so much more with no bloating or obstructions afterwards. Then, out of the blue "Bang", my bowel ruptured. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything quite to frightening or painful in my life. The rupture was due to the surgeons accidently making a small hole in my bowel when they used the diathermy machine to detach the adhesion, that had then rotted over the week and finally burst.

It is now 6 weeks after and although I feel well the pain I am now left with is awful. The surgeons have said that it is probably more adhesions following my laparotomy and there is nothing they can do for me now.

Is anyone else in this situation? Pain relief seems to be the only option and the reason they will ever give me more surgery is if my bowel obstructs. I understand this and agree with them that more surgery will just make matters worse. I also contracted sepsis immediately after my original one-step j-pouch surgery and this is why my adhesions are so bad.

I seem to be better if I stay on liquids and if I move around too much it makes the pain worse.

I know there are no other options, but would be good just to hear that I am not the only one in this situation. I have read about some hands on therapy, but to be honest, having seen the size and structure of my adhesions, I really cannot believe that this would make any difference.

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My goodness, I am so sorry to hear about this happening to you! I have heard about "massage therapy" for adhesions but I don't know if you could even try that this early on.

May I ask you what kind of imaging did the dr do to see your adhesions prior to surgery?
We have always been told they don't show up on a scan.

I hope someone with experience in this will answer your post.
Take care.
B
Yes you are right, adhesions do not show up on imaging. I had the adhesions removed laprascopically and the surgeon took a photo of it in-situ just prior to him removing it. Whist they are awful things, it was amazing to see it. It was just so structurally perfect, pink, smooth and absolutely cylindrical with not a blemish or bump on it. Because I have seen just how large and solid they are (3.5 inches long and over half an inch in diameter, I personally cannot believe massage will make any difference. I think my only hope is to hear that there are some people out there that have been in the same boat and over time the pain has subsided on it's own.
K

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