I had surgery 1 month ago, my doctor nicked my bowel and I've had severe cramping every time I eat.?

Question

Everytime I use the bathroom I have cramping. I asked my doctor for help he denies any link to surgery and this but when I call my internal medicine doctor he tells me it's directly related and the doctor who did the surgery needs to do something.

Answer 1

Anytime you have abdominal surgery, it's normal for the whole system to feel out of sorts for weeks afterwards. You didn't say what the surgery was for, so I can't tell you much about whether it is possibly related to that or not. Even considering the nick, most of the cramping is probably due to an irritated system trying to get back in order. Since after surgery, most folks don't eat anything for a few days, and then it's a good week before they are really back on a regular diet, the system has lots of empty time. You also likely took a broad spectrum antibiotic afterwards, and that kills off the normal intestinal flora and generally upsets that normal balance. Without the healthy numbers of bacteria present, or with the numbers out of balance, you would experience gas and cramping due to partially or improperly digested material in the gut. The first remedy would be to ease off some of the things you are eating for a short time. Go back to the blandish diet, and eliminate fats and dairy products for a couple of days. Then get some live culture yogurt, preferably an organic brand that has several different bacterial cultures in it. A small carton is all you need to eat, but you want to eat at least one carton per day for a few days. That's all the dairy you will be eating at that point. After this, gradually start adding back the other things, just don't go all out in one meal. Meaning don't have a double cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake the first shot out. Try to avoid the fried stuff, or at the least eat very small quantities of it. If you had your gall bladder out, it will take a bit for the body to adjust to balancing fat intake and the production of gall to break it down. Too much fat too quickly causes gas and cramping both. Also avoid veggie like broccoli and cabbage until you are feeling more like yourself- they produce gas and can cause crampy feelings in turn. Mostly, after abdominal surgery, you just have to ease the system back into normal. Although there isn't any "feeling" in those organs, the body seems to know things have been messed with and aren't quite where they used to be. A lot of patients post-op have the same complaints as you do, and it just takes a few weeks for things to settle back down. If the gas is really getting to you, you can also use the drops made for babies, which contains symethicone and will help break up the bubbles. Gently massage of the lower belly will aid with the cramping, and as you get back to your normal activities it should all settle back down for you. You are still healing and recovering, so give yourself a bit more time. It usually all improves by the 6-8 week point. So you are very nearly there already. Just keep hope and let yourself heal without trying to push things, and you'll do fine.