I have abdominal pain and bowel changes after surgery. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 54 years old. Two years post-RNY (gastric bypass surgery), I have had two Petersen hernia repairs since the surgery. The gallbladder was removed years ago. Yet since this surgery, I get these horrible gut-wrenching pains from the sternum to the abdomen. It seems like the bowels are twisting for hours, which takes my breath away, then I go to the washroom maybe ten times within four to six hours.

I can lose three to four pounds in a day. I do not seem to be constipated as I go every day or every other day, but perhaps I am. The surgeon does not think it is another Petersen hernia since I had two surgeries to repair them. I have had a gastro endoscope, mouth to stomach (shows no ulcers and colonoscopy diagnosed with diverticulitis), a CT scan, and an X-ray. I do not take medicines except for 100 mcg Eltroxin.

Due to surgery, I am on a lifetime of multivitamins, B12 1000 mcg every second day, and Proferrin (iron supplement). I have no allergies to foods. I never had this before when I was obese. The pain is so bad that I wish for death at times, and it is unpredictable. Would you have any idea what this could be?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through your history. The symptoms correspond to cramping pain followed by the passage of stools ten times, within four to six hours, suggestive of intestinal colic, involving your large intestine. Even your colonoscopy revealed diverticulitis, which is the cause of your symptoms. You have to be treated with antibiotics to resolve your active diverticulitis, and with antispasmodics to relieve pain. Get a stool analysis, leucocytes, Gm (gram) stain, occult blood, and protein C and S tests done.

Take tablet Secnidazole 2 gm single dose.
Norfloxacin 400 mg twice a day.
Drotaverine twice a day.
Bifilac-hp (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Saccharomyces boulardii, Prebiotic base) once a day for five days.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.