Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Pain Around The Incision After Small Bowel Resection And Hernia Repain?
Question: About 7-8 weeks ago, I had surgeries to fix intestinal blockage, followed by small bowel resection (sections of intestine and appendix removed) and multiple hernia repair. Needles to say healing has been slow. But I still have occasional mild pain and cramping (maybe 2/10 on the pain scale) around the incision and the edge of the abdominal binder.
The past three days I've had MILD pain/nausea and loose stools soon after eating. Just today it seems to have eased up, but I still have relatively frequent flatulence. I do notice a bulge near the surgery site and an indentation right next to it. After a trip to the practice I saw the NP and told that this is normal and that given the severity of surgery done I should not expect things to heal smoothly, and that as long as I'm not getting severe pain, vomiting, etc. I shouldn't worry. Is it normal to still be getting surgical pain this far out? I was told 8 weeks before resuming normal activity so I wonder if the cramps and loose stool is just IBS from the surgery.
The pain/cramping isn't even really that bad but after what I've been through I just feel anxious about every little thing. I have a follow-up with my surgeon in September but I'm hoping to put my mind at ease.I forgot to add... A month ago a blood test showed that I have a high sedementation rate (ESR). It was thought to be GC arteritis but a biopsy was negative. I've heard this can be consistent with IBS.
The past three days I've had MILD pain/nausea and loose stools soon after eating. Just today it seems to have eased up, but I still have relatively frequent flatulence. I do notice a bulge near the surgery site and an indentation right next to it. After a trip to the practice I saw the NP and told that this is normal and that given the severity of surgery done I should not expect things to heal smoothly, and that as long as I'm not getting severe pain, vomiting, etc. I shouldn't worry. Is it normal to still be getting surgical pain this far out? I was told 8 weeks before resuming normal activity so I wonder if the cramps and loose stool is just IBS from the surgery.
The pain/cramping isn't even really that bad but after what I've been through I just feel anxious about every little thing. I have a follow-up with my surgeon in September but I'm hoping to put my mind at ease.I forgot to add... A month ago a blood test showed that I have a high sedementation rate (ESR). It was thought to be GC arteritis but a biopsy was negative. I've heard this can be consistent with IBS.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
First of all you can not say you have an IBS. This condition can be diagnosed if the reason of gastrointestinal symptoms is unknown. As you have had bowels obstruction and surgery with intestine removal, this is far enough to cause all mentioned by you symptoms.
Please note that after such surgery, there is a risk of adhesions creation (any abdominal surgery causes adhesions). Such adhesions can be the reason of another obstruction. It does not have to be complete obstruction so the symptoms can be less intense than before the surgery.
Diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating are typical symptoms of partial bowels obstruction. 8 weeks after surgery your bowels should work quite regular and such symptoms should not rather be present.
The bulge in the scar area can be hernia and for sure it can not be ignored.
In my opinion you should have:
- abdominal ultrasound to rule out hernia, any fluid collection in the abdomen
- enteroclysis (special abdominal CT with oral contrast) to rule out partial bowels obstruction
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
First of all you can not say you have an IBS. This condition can be diagnosed if the reason of gastrointestinal symptoms is unknown. As you have had bowels obstruction and surgery with intestine removal, this is far enough to cause all mentioned by you symptoms.
Please note that after such surgery, there is a risk of adhesions creation (any abdominal surgery causes adhesions). Such adhesions can be the reason of another obstruction. It does not have to be complete obstruction so the symptoms can be less intense than before the surgery.
Diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating are typical symptoms of partial bowels obstruction. 8 weeks after surgery your bowels should work quite regular and such symptoms should not rather be present.
The bulge in the scar area can be hernia and for sure it can not be ignored.
In my opinion you should have:
- abdominal ultrasound to rule out hernia, any fluid collection in the abdomen
- enteroclysis (special abdominal CT with oral contrast) to rule out partial bowels obstruction
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
