tiffanylovesthebeach

I was sleeved on 12/10/13 and went to the ER on 12/21/2013 with 103.2 fever, fast heart rate, dehydration, etc. During this visit, a contained leak was discovered. I had a NG tube placed and stayed in the hospital for 12 days, eventually transitioning over to a feeding tube. I went home on the feeding tube and was re-imaged 8 days later. The swallow test showed the leak was healed, so my feeding tube was removed and I started on a liquid diet. Three days into the liquid diet, I started having intense left arm/shoulder/breast pain and knew something was wrong. I went back to the ER and again, I was leaking and it was bigger this time. I went for an endoscopy to see if the leak could be clipped off or glued. The doctor was not able to locate the leak, stating it must be pin hole sized. I stayed in the hospital for 7 days and came home on a feeding tube and IV antibiotics through a PICC line. I have to continue this treatment for 4 weeks, then get re-tested. The Surgeon says the next step, if this whole plan fails, is to insert a stent....... From what I have heard, this is not very comfortable. If you have had a leak, would you please share your treatment course with me? I am wondering if the treatment I am undergoing is the norm. Thanks in advance for all of your feedback. Tiffany

Update: My CT and Gastrografin swallow showed no leak!!! However, there is still a persistent Fluid collection around the area of the former leak. The doctors feel like the fluid is sterile, as I have been on antibiotics for a month, but they are still concerned about it. Side note: the collection is not drainable. They would have to go across my lung to get to it and say it is just too risky. So, I still have the feeding tube and PICC line in until at least Tuesday, but my Interventional GI doc called me yesterday to give me the good news about the leak and tell me I could start on Clear liquids and discontinue the tube feeds. I go see the GI doc and my infectious disease doc on Tuesday. Taking in enough clear liquids is really hard, but I keep telling myself this is only Day one of drinking again after not drinking for over a month... RJ and Trish, what was it like for you once you could start drinking again? Was it hard for you? I definitely feel weaker and more tired since not being on tube feeds. I will update everyone on Tuesday as to if I get this feeding tube and PICC out. They want to leave them in just in case I have problems again. Last time we thought the leak was healed, as soon as I transitioned from clears to full liquids, I started having the horrible chest/shoulder/arm pain and was leaking again, so... better safe than sorry if I have to go back into the hospital. Thanks for your support! Tiffany

AnaBanana, Your journey sounds nearly identical to mine. After I was sleeved on 12/10, my leak was discovered on 12/22. Contained Leak fOund on CT scan. I have been back to the hospital a couple times since. Once for 12 days and once for 7 days. I am now at home on an NJ tube and IV antibiotics via PICC line. I have my Upper GI and CT scan on the 6th, the day after yours. I am praying that your leak has finally healed and you can resume a "normal" life. Dealing with a leak is really discouraging because of the lengthy treatment course. I hope that my leak tests on the 6th go well too. I am so tired of living this way. I just want to be free of all the tubes and be able to drink a sweet tea Over the last week, i Have been feeling really hungry and getting depressed over it. Today, I actually chewed a piece of fajita chicken for a minute and spit it out. It actually made me feel a little better. Pitiful, but it did help. Good luck on the 5th! Keep us updated. Tiffany

Thanks for the encouraging words, Trish. I do have to stay npo until at least Feb. 11th. You are right, waiting this out is the hardest part. Tiff

Never had the pins and needles feeling. At least I can be thankful for something.

Thanks for your words of encouragement Trish. Over the last couple of days, I have been really battling hunger. I am not sure if it is physical hunger or just mentally wanting to eat again. Any suggestions that worked for you when you had the feeding tube and experienced the same?

I do have a NJ tube feeding into my jejunum. The PICC is for the IV abx. I have had several upper GI's and CT's. I am scheduled for repeat imaging on Feb 6th, so we'll see what comes of it. Praying it heals soon. Thanks for your feedback. I am sending warm thoughts and well wishes your way. It sounds like both of you have had very lengthy journeys. Thanks for your encouraging words.

I am scheduled for December 10th too!!! Super nervous, but excited too.

Hello Everybody! I would like to join the December 2013 sleevers group. My name is Tiffany. I am 32 years old, a wife, and a mother of a beautiful little girl. I am scheduled to be sleeved on 12/10/2013 and I am super nervous. I have been debating the surgery for over 3 years. I have finally come to the realization that I cannot lose the weight on my own... I went through all of the insurance requirements to be approved for the sleeve, then backed out... Now, I am here to finally follow through with the surgery. I work as a clinical quality/risk manager in a hospital, so I am super duper freaked out about being that one-in-a-million where something goes horribly wrong. I am getting better and better each day though. My family is being SO AWESOME in their support of me. I look forward to going on this journey with each of you. Tiffany

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement! I am scheduled for 12/10 and am that CRAZY person who is consumed by the one-in-a-million negative outcome possibility. Hearing everyone's positive stories really helps to move me along. I have been comtemplating WLS for 3 years or more and have backed out once. I guess it is now or never...

I am getting sleeved on 12/10 and am super nervous. Hearing you do so well on post op day one is encouraging