Bev sent a copy of the video from her 5 hour surgery to me; and I as I watched I saw Dr. Reich very slowly and carefully lyse the mass of adhesions that had enclosed and trapped her bowels. For the very first time I could really begin to understand how painful bowel adhesions must be. When the bowels are attached together - or attached to the abdominal wall by adhesions - this prevents the normal flow of digested food through the bowels - and causes problems such as constipation, nausea, and bowel obstructions.
In gratefulness to God and to Dr. Reich for having had her health restored, Bev has become a very active Outreach Worker for the International Adhesions Society!!! Many International Adhesions Society members can attest to the fact that Bev has been there to help them.
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Bev posted the following messages on the International Adhesions Society (IAS) Message Board on:
June 05, 1999 10:51 PM ..... I am sure by educating ourselves as to the etiology of this disorder, we will be better prepared to address our treatment and even dictate what we think must be done to us in the event we choose to have an adhesiolysis done. I think I know a fairly correct theory on the etiology of adhesion formation.
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July 8, 1999 12:03 PM ..... Having had long discussions with pathologist friends of mine - as well as surgeons - it is perceived that the peritoneum will generate pain; but there doesn't appear to be pain pathways on the external intestines. I believe this is a true perception - as I did not experience any other pain at any time throughout my 14 years with adhesion disorder.
In my two previous adhesiolysis, I experienced pain always in the lower right quadrant; and in each of those operational reports, I have one attachment to the peritoneum in that area!
I ask you all to secure your own operative reports for your own study - to acclaimate yourself to the probable adhesion attachment sites that you have; and then compare those sites to your pain area. This will give you a semblance of awareness of why you suffer the symptoms that you do.
Keep in mind, each consecutive surgery might produce more adhesions; but you will probably be able to get a decent idea of your current adhesional involvement
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June 08, 1999 10:38 AM .....Dear Friends, I am sharing my experience of having had surgery performed under Dr. Harry Reich of New York City - since a number of you asked about it in greater detail. Please keep in mind that this is MY surgery and that each one of us has a case history unique to each one of us. I also am stating MY interpretation of how the body responds to and creates adhesions - as I understand that physiological process.
Previous to consenting to Dr. Reich's adhesiolysis procedure, I requested a copy of it so that I could determine for myself what was being done differently from the other adhesiolysis, which I had. I also checked out his credentials with the AMA - all very outstanding recommendations!! I then asked for statistics of the surgery and - even though he has not kept a following of his patients - he does have some figures on it; and it looked to be the higher % of success for non-reforming adhesions with his procedure.
I also was put in contact with a woman who had undergone his lysis in June 1998. We talked at great length (by e-mail) and we continue to do so. She was a wealth of information and encouragement for me; and you can be assured that I am watching her case closely as it parallels my adhesional history very closely. Dr. Reich also videotapes his entire surgery for you.
Dr. Reich's theory regarding non-reforming adhesions is: " The solution to pollution is dilution " - and he stands by that phrase yet today.
This procedure is done through a minimally invasive route. One small incision in the navel for the camera, two 1 " to 2 " incisions on each side of the lower abdomen for instrument use. Dr. Reich is the only ambidextrious surgeon in the United States - and that is a plus for us!
He does a diagnostic look-around upon entering the cavity - looking for any invasive pathology besides adhesions. He evaluates the situation and then determines his plan of treatment. In the event that there are dense adhesions, he proceeds to dissect (separate) them. This is not an easy process and is very involved.
I can understand why most doctors do not want to challenge themselves by doing a lysis - which is dangerous and tedious - as the doctor is working right up against and around the intestines, etc.
Based on Dr. Reich's vast experience with laparoscopic surgeries, he has developed a technique like no other surgeon in the world! That is why he has the reputation as being the best laparoscopic surgeon in the world!
It was the clean-up at the end of his surgery that impressed me the most - and was also the reason I chose to go to him to have this done! He cleans out almost every piece of clotted blood that is in, around, under, and virtually all over in the abdominal cavity following the surgery! He believes it is this residual clotted blood that the anti-bodies in an adhesion-former's system respond to as " foreign " - and thus creates an adhesion over it to protect the internal organs! Now, this is exactly how our body's defense system works!
Think about your getting a sliver (externally, of course). What does your body's defense system do to that foreign body? It sends out the leukocytes and creates an " infection " to get rid of it - right? Internally, one of two types of defense systems kick in when there is a problem:
1.) If our appendix ruptures, we get peritonitis (an internal infection - like pus or white blood cells that spill into the cavity). Those white cells are responding to an inflammation in the appendix and build up and burst; but it was a defense mechanism as well. Peritonitis can kill us - because the body has no way to rid itself of that infectious drainage; and it infects the surrounding internal organs as well. In defense our body sends the leukocytes (white cells) to the area of " infectious drainage."
2.) Because there is an active infectious foreign body in the abdominal cavity, our body will attempt to " contain " that poison to protect the other internal organs from damage! These white cells form a material called " fibrin " - which is the sticky stuff in the blood. The fibrin starts to cover the infectious material - and then you have what is called an adhesion!! Now, adhesion means " to stick together." In the abdominal cavity - filled with lots of organs in very close proximity to one another - what do you think will happen? Abdominal organs become attached to one another - everywhere that the infectious drainage touched!
(Continued in Part 2)