What is the surgery for adhesions?
Adhesions are scar tissue. They form between tissues or organs and cause them to stick together. Sometimes they can cause the bowel to get blocked (bowel obstruction). Surgery breaks up and removes this scar tissue.
The most common cause of adhesions in the belly or pelvis is previous surgery in that area.
You will be asleep during the surgery. You may have a nasogastric (NG) tube during the surgery. This goes through your nose and down into your stomach. The tube removes fluids and gas. This helps relieve pain and pressure.
There are two ways to do the surgery. You may have open surgery. This means the doctor makes a cut (incision) in your belly. Or you may have laparoscopic surgery. To do this type of surgery, the doctor puts a lighted tube and other surgical tools through small incisions in your belly. The tube is called a scope. It lets your doctor see your organs so he or she can do the surgery. In either surgery, the incisions leave scars that fade with time.
During the surgery, the doctor will look for adhesions. He or she will also check your bowel to find places where it may be narrowed or blocked. The doctor may also remove damaged sections of the bowel. He or she will then put the healthy sections back together. In some cases, the doctor makes an opening in the skin on the belly and connects the bowel to that opening. This is called a colostomy or ileostomy. The opening in the skin is called a stoma.
If you only have adhesions removed, you may stay in the hospital for a few days. You may be able to go back to your normal routine in 1 to 2 weeks.
If the doctor had to reconnect sections of your bowel, you may stay in the hospital for up to a week. You may be able to go back to your normal routine in 2 to 4 weeks.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
What happens before surgery?
If you have adhesions that partly or completely block the bowel (bowel obstruction), you may need surgery right away. You may not have time to prepare.
Preparing for surgery
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Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
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Tell your doctors ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some of these can increase the risk of bleeding or interact with anesthesia.
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If you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she will tell you if you should stop taking these medicines before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
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Your doctor will tell you which medicines to take or stop before your surgery. You may need to stop taking certain medicines a week or more before surgery. So talk to your doctor as soon as you can.
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If you have an advance care plan, let your doctor know. Bring a copy to the hospital. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets your doctor and loved ones know your health care wishes. Doctors advise that everyone prepare these papers before any type of surgery or procedure.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter J924 in the search box to learn more about "Adhesions: Before Your Surgery".