NoMoreFatGuy

No, it was a different doc. Leaks from a TG are common. It lasted two weeks and healed on its own. I am much better now. Yes it was in the US.

Thanks

As some may know I had a sleeve done in March 30,2015. The staple gun failed and left a thumbnail sized hole that went undiagnosed for a week and a half. Long story short, after multiple hospital stays and over 30 procedures, I had to have my stomach removed (called a total gastrectomy). That happened 7 weeks ago. As I write this I sit in the doc's office waiting to have my feeding tube removed. It is the last remaining medical device in my body. It we be the first time in 7 months that I don't have a medical device in me. I still have a ways to go but knowing the hardest part is behind me helps. On the positive side I have lost 120 lbs in 7 months.

I had no drain. My doctor basically pushed me out the door after. I ended up going to a different hospital a week and a half later and had 7 drains put in and spent 6 weeks in the ER. I left the hospital at 7.5 weeks with a drain bag. Went back in several times for various procedures and ended up having my whole stomach removed when the leak never healed. My advice would be to make sure you get a leak study before you leave the hospital. Also, if you feel unusual pain go in, don't take a chance. Other than that, not much advice. What happened to me was a fluke but the trauma I experienced was because I didn't trut my instincts that something was wrong.

Not for me. Not only did I not get a leak study, for a week and a half the doc told me nothing was wrong. He was way off

I should point out that my doctor told me it was gas pain and not to worry for a week and a half. When I finally went to the ER I almost died in ICU. Go to the ER. Better safe than sorry.

I had a similar experience with a 9cm abcess. I went into kidney failure and nearly died. I went through hell this summer and after 7 months my leak didn't heal and I had a total gastrectomy. It was tough to go through but now that I am on the other side of it and 125 pounds lighter I don't dwell on it too much. You are strong and you will get through. Most leaks heal in 6-8 weeks. If not there is hope and it won't go on forever. Stay strong.

I had no other symptoms until after I was admitted to the hospital

I had mine 7.5 months ago. Ended up having a leak that was discovered a week and a half later. By that time I was septic and had a 9cm abscess. I went into kidney failure and was on dialysis for 6 weeks. I nearly died. I spent the entire summer going through various procedures (over 30) and the leak never healed. I ended up having my stomach removed entirely. While I have lost 125 pounds and I like my new weight, every day I question my last minute decision to switch from the band to a VSG. Looking back doesn't help because I can't change it but I do wonder if that fateful decision wasn't the worst I ever made.

I had bad shoulder pain and it turned out to be a bad leak and an abcess. Go to the ER.

The staple gun failed in my surgery and left a thumbnail sized hole in my stomach. It went undiagnosed for a week and a half. I was in horrific pain and went to the ER. I was put in the ICU and had 7 drain tubes put in me. I went into kidney failure and had to go on dialysis for 6 weeks. Took me 7 weeks to leave the hospital and I went home with a drain bag hanging from my side.

Meant to say ate too fast not are too fast

Sleevy is he having it done as cancer prevention? Seems to be most common reason. The best advice I can give is take it slow. I have been impatient and went back to work too soon and are too fast and I caused myself a lot of unnecessary pain and anguish. Start slow with food. Work into new foods and AVOID LIQUID SUGAR (ie Gatorade, sweet tea, etc). Trust me he will live in the bathroom if he doesn't follow that advice. Drinking sugar is painful and puts you in the bathroom.

You process food in your intestines but you have to be very careful. Eating my I fast, eating too much or eating a lot of sugar can cause dumping syndrome which I can say from experience is not fun. For the most part you survive the same as a by-pass patient and they are very similar.

I am 44 and had a sleeve done in Late March. The staple gun failed and left a thumbnail sized hole in my stomach. It wasn't diagnosed for a week and a half. By that time I was septic, had a 9cm abscess and went into kidney failure. I was in ICU for 6 weeks and step down for a week. I went on dialysis while in the ICU. I spent the next five months with a drain bag in my ribs and a picc line in my left arm for nightly TPN. The leak never healed and I had a total gastrectomy four weeks ago. I am still recovering from that but doing better. I eat soft foods and liquids and get nightly protein feeds in my jtube in my belly. I have a ways to go but on the road to recovery. My point in all that is the road may be rough but there is hope always.

As some are aware I had a rather large leak followed by a 9cm abscess. My surgery was 3/30. On 4/9 I went to the ER in pain. I am still in the hospital. They did a procedure yesterday to check on the stent and leak. It seems that the leak is healed but they want the stent in for one more week. Stent caused quite a bit of pain so I really want that out. Allowed clear liquids but 4 oz in an hour makes me feel to full. Almost there but still a touch more to power through.

@@Some Guy I don't know your history so I can't speak to the risks but I am slowly recovering and the prognosis is good. I did have another leak after the gastrectomy which depressed me tremendously but my swallow study last Monday showed no leak. I am slowly building up my tolerance to food and slowly healing. My drain tube comes out on Monday and my feeding tube should come out in the next couple weeks. They say it will be two to three months til I am anything close to normal and maybe a year to get to totally normal. It is still better than living with the leak for 6 months. I feel like I actually have a future now.

Hey, on the bright side I have lost 125 pounds.

For follow up. My leak never healed. I ended up having a total gastrectomy. That was three and a half weeks ago. Wouldn't you know the attachment point had a leak too. I couldn't eat or drink anything for three weeks. Yesterday a swallow study showed the leak is totally healed. I was allowed liquids and some soft foods. It will take time for me to regain tolerance for it and cramping is a constant problem but I am told it will subside in time. I feel hopeful my life will become more normal very soon. On the bright side I have lost 125 pounds.

Just so you guys know, the last 6.5 months has been hell for me. I am finally on the down side of the ordeal as the total gastrectomy has finally fixed things. Life will be different for me now but it would have been with the sleeve too. I have lost 125 pounds and when my strength comes back I will be the healthiest I have ever been. I don't regret the surgery. I wish I didn't go through what I did but I did and I have to roll with the punches of life. I told my story not to turn people off to the surgery but to make sure you know the risks.

Thanks for the info but I ended up having a total gastrectomy and am recovering well. I no longer need the patches. I experience quite a bit of pain from stomach cramping but patches don't help that. I am told the cramping will go away in time.

I am recovering slowly. The attachment point had a small leak so I couldn't eat for 3 weeks and I in fact did have and still do have a feeding tube. I just found out yesterday the leak is healed and they started me on liquids. The cramping is pretty painful but I am told it will go away in time. Overall I am improving but it is slow going.

I won't need a feeding tube. I will be able to eat. Just small amounts and I have to learn what makes me sick and what doesn't.

My leak just happened. Nothing caused it. The symptoms were pain in my shoulder and stomach. I also went septic so I had a fever too

Yes whole stomach. They pull the small intestine up and stitch it to the esophagus. I talked to people who have had it. My understanding is that it works much like a by pass doesd