Adhesions

John23 said:

Deb -

Re:
"....My boyfriend just had his colostomy reversal about two weeks ago.
He is home but still experiencing quite a bit of stomach pain........

.......I saw him yesterday and he had not gone to the bathroom in a
couple of days. This morning his stomach is killing him and he
said he was going back to sleep. I worry about a blockage occuring...... "

Some stomach pain can be normal, since it's so soon after surgery.

A "blockage" can cause extreme pain, along with nausea and fever.

Blockages from an adhesion do not usually occur so soon after
surgery. An adhesion is scar tissue that forms normally when the
body attempts to heal itself. Adhesions usually take some time to
form, and even longer to become a problem!

That said...... The lack of bowel movement and the consequential
pain, can be from Ileous, a condition where the intestines are not
functioning as they should. It can be a result of the surgery, or
pain killers that are keeping the intestines from "coming alive" and
working properly. Walking can get the system working, but the
pain and desire to "sleep it off" is nothing to ignore!

The surgeon should be notified immediately, since the condition
should not be permitted to continue without the physician's
observation. If he won't make the call, you should, if you are
the care-giver and retain the right to do so. But he should not
be left as-is and without observation; there should be someone
there to call an ambulance if needed.

In 2006, had I not been pushed to call and get to the ER, my
colon could have ruptured, causing much harm and possible death.

If that scares you, then repeat it to him; this is nothing to take lightly!

Best of hopes,

John