A small bowel obstruction (blockage) can be either partial or complete. A partial obstruction means that there is at least a small opening in the blockage and some fluid is getting through. With a complete blockage, doctors usually move quickly toward surgery.

Therefore, I suspect you had a partial obstruction. The initial treatment of a partial obstruction includes:

• No food or beverages
• Pain medication by injection
• The insertion of a flexible tube through the nose into the stomach to decompress the stomach and small intestine
• Intravenous fluids to stay hydrated

The most common cause of small bowel obstruction is scarring (called adhesions) within the belly, usually from prior surgeries. Some people form excess scar tissue no matter how carefully surgery is performed. The scar tissue binds to a section of bowel, closing it down.

Less commonly, a hernia that traps part of the small intestine or a twisted loop of bowel can do this. Because you improved without surgery, there is unlikely to be a tumor that caused it.

People who form adhesions that cause small bowel obstruction should avoid surgery to cut away the adhesions unless necessary. The surgery can cause even more adhesions to form.

I advise people to stay primarily on a liquid diet for a few days after they get home. You likely still have some partial blockage. Going right to solid food might cause the pain to come back. Gradually add low fiber foods as you move towards a regular diet.