Internal Hernia 1 year after DS surgery

[Glamgirl 63]

My DS surgery was april of 2018 with Dr. Bruce at Bariatrics of NC . All has been good, but then I rate having stomach pains really bad that lasted a long time when it happened just two months ago. It has only happened about 3-4 times, so naturally I went back to my surgeon and spoke to him about it. I thought maybe I was dehydrated , but he said NOPE, you have an internal hernia going on... and that I would need surgery as soon as I can make the appointment. Sooner than later he stressed! He could not do the surgery which disappointed me but he referred me to Dr. Lindsay Sharpe. So 1 week later I made an appointment which I had surgery done with Dr. Sharpe just yesterday 6/17/19 lasted about an hour. It started out as a diagnostic lap surgery to see exactly what was going on , and indeed it was the hernia that they found. They fixed it and I went home today and I feel a lot of pain but otherwise I just have to rest and no lifting for 3 weeks and no exercise for 6 weeks.

They said because of the weight loss that it opened up a gap around my intestines causing blockage and this happened. Not sure on all details until my follow up next Tuesday but once I know ALL the details , I will post on here. Its funny now when you have surgery , you don't see the surgeon afterwards... you have to wait until follow up appointment to really get full details. his Medical assistant filled me in but not totally, so I am kinda in limbo on details. I cant wait for Tuesday to find out what he did exactly !

Has anyone had this happen to them after DS surgery?

[angyplus5 470]

Hi and yes I did!! Dr Bruce is my doctor as well and fixed a hernia as well as a twisted colon and some adhesions in April. I had my DS February 2018. Since the April surgery and just had another surgery on June 10th to remove my right colon and a part of my small intestine. This surgery has been rough and I'm not bouncing back like I did before. As I'm writing this I'm at Wakemed Cary in a hospital bed getting fluids and Vitamins. I hope you feel better quickly!!!

[Glamgirl 63]

Oh wow! I hope you recovery fast! That is a lot that you have been through!

I bet you wish they could have done it all in one surgery? I wonder why he didn't take the colon out in april and the intestine ... did the internal hernia cause the intestine and colon problems? I was told that it could happen to my intestines. meaning they could get strangled and lose blood supply and die. 😕

[angyplus5 470]

He told me the same, yes I wish he had done it all at one time!!! He sutured my colon to my abdominal wall in April hoping it would stay but he wasn't optimistic. Let's hope we both can get back to normal asap. 😊

[Glamgirl 63]

oh you will... just rest and the healing will happen! Wishing you well! I love Dr. Bruce!

[Postop 411]

4 hours ago, Glamgirl said:

My DS surgery was april of 2018 with Dr. Bruce at Bariatrics of NC . All has been good, but then I rate having stomach pains really bad that lasted a long time when it happened just two months ago. It has only happened about 3-4 times, so naturally I went back to my surgeon and spoke to him about it. I thought maybe I was dehydrated , but he said NOPE, you have an internal hernia going on... and that I would need surgery as soon as I can make the appointment. Sooner than later he stressed! He could not do the surgery which disappointed me but he referred me to Dr. Lindsay Sharpe. So 1 week later I made an appointment which I had surgery done with Dr. Sharpe just yesterday 6/17/19 lasted about an hour. It started out as a diagnostic lap surgery to see exactly what was going on , and indeed it was the hernia that they found. They fixed it and I went home today and I feel a lot of pain but otherwise I just have to rest and no lifting for 3 weeks and no exercise for 6 weeks.

They said because of the weight loss that it opened up a gap around my intestines causing blockage and this happened. Not sure on all details until my follow up next Tuesday but once I know ALL the details , I will post on here. Its funny now when you have surgery , you don't see the surgeon afterwards... you have to wait until follow up appointment to really get full details. his Medical assistant filled me in but not totally, so I am kinda in limbo on details. I cant wait for Tuesday to find out what he did exactly !

Has anyone had this happen to them after DS surgery?

Sorry to hear about the pain.

This isn't uncommon. The weight loss can also sometimes make stitches looser and cause a hernia (pushing through). It is sometimes said that plastics and/or hernia surgeries are the finishing touches to weight loss surgery.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Postop

[Glamgirl 63]

thank you and yes I hope this surgery helps... hoping i dont get anymore hernias... is that common too? like more than one?

[Postop 411]

11 minutes ago, Glamgirl said:

thank you and yes I hope this surgery helps... hoping i dont get anymore hernias... is that common too? like more than one?

Unfortunately, it can happen again. But it can also not. It’s kind of a guessing game within the first few years of WLS.

With me, I didn’t have any hernias till 9 years out. That was really odd.

I also have a hiatal hernia (also not uncommon) but we’re leaving it alone unless it gets too bad.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Postop

[SeattleLady 277]

Hi and yes I did!! Dr Bruce is my doctor as well and fixed a hernia as well as a twisted colon and some adhesions in April. I had my DS February 2018. Since the April surgery and just had another surgery on June 10th to remove my right colon and a part of my small intestine. This surgery has been rough and I'm not bouncing back like I did before. As I'm writing this I'm at Wakemed Cary in a hospital bed getting fluids and Vitamins. I hope you feel better quickly!!!

Feel better soon.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

[Glamgirl 63]

3 hours ago, Postop said:

Unfortunately, it can happen again. But it can also not. It’s kind of a guessing game within the first few years of WLS.

With me, I didn’t have any hernias till 9 years out. That was really odd.

I also have a hiatal hernia (also not uncommon) but we’re leaving it alone unless it gets too bad.

yes I had one of those too... but they took care of that at the same time of my DS surgery and they also removed my gall bladder too then! So all three operations were done at same time! Fun! 😕 im just hoping no more!! I still have about 20-25 pounds more to lose so i hope that doesn't create any problems.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Is this something only DS people get, or are the other bypass varieties potentially prone to this? Must have been scary to l9we part of your colon, hope the rest Will work just fine!😷👍😝📦

[Frustr8 7,886]

Lose I only wish my phone app would allow me to proof-read and correct my submissions.

[angyplus5 470]

I'm not sure if this is a DS thing or not but absolutely yes it was super scary! I'm getting better every day so I'm very happy about that. 😁

[Postop 411]

12 hours ago, Glamgirl said:

yes I had one of those too... but they took care of that at the same time of my DS surgery and they also removed my gall bladder too then! So all three operations were done at same time! Fun! 😕 im just hoping no more!! I still have about 20-25 pounds more to lose so i hope that doesn't create any problems.

Me, too.

You’re lucky they did them all at once. My gb came out 3 years post DS.

[Glamgirl 63]

2 hours ago, Postop said:

Me, too.

You’re lucky they did them all at once. My gb came out 3 years post DS.

Oh I told my surgeon to do it all together! it needed to come out anyway