Started with a Leak...Doing great now!

[moore37042 0]

Hi, my name is Joy. I am the 1% with major complications. I was found to have a leak 2 weeks out. I will be 6 months out on June 16th and have now lost 52 lbs. Beginning weight 190 now 139. Here is my story...

I began having back pain and trouble breathing just before my 2 week check-up. I came in and saw the nurse and she said if I was not feeling better the next day to come back in and I would speak with the surgeon. Sure enough...my 1st real meal (a 2 oz. omlette w/cheese). I felt horrible. I headed in to see the surgeon at 9 am. I had an Upper GI, CAT Scan, and another Upper GI to verify the leak. I was rushed into surgery and then spent 10 days in the ICU. Many complications followed; 2 abcess, infections, lung collapse. 4 days on the ward, 2 weeks of high fevers another admission for 12 days. IV antibotics at home for 2 weeks and I was on the feeding tube for 3 months and 1800 calories a day. So, it took me longer to loose the weight.

Now... I am up going to Curves, walking, and doing Water aerobics. I have lost 10 dress sizes (started size 20 now an 8 -10). 23 lbs from goal weight! Happy and healthier. I have a wound that still has not healed and and a rather large hernia. They want to wait to fix the hernia...so the can fix the tummy at the same time.

If anyone wants to talk about complications...I will be glad to talk.

[Elisabethsew 50]

You had a very tough time but I'm glad everything turned out well for you. I am surprised you were allowed to eat at 2 weeks post-op. Congratulations on your great weight loss.

[Rosebud2 26]

Do you have a clue as to what might have brought on the leak?

[moore37042 0]

Eating...it was my first day of mushy...chopped very fine. No one seems to be able to determine what caused the leak. I am thankful to be alive.

[Ruthi 60]

what was your post op diet like, how many days were you on liquids before you started to eat?

[moore37042 0]

liquid diet for 2 weeks post op. Then soft mushy diet for 4 weeks would have followed. I was already in distress (Leak) whe I started the mushy diet (I just didn't know it yet) discovered leak on 1st day of mushy. Real food would have began at 6 weeks. I didn't get to eat until 3 months out...started back at mushy. Hope that explains things:) Joy

[Ruthi 60]

makes me glad that my liquid phase for clear and full liquids is 10 days each. A few extra days for healing. Any history of diabetes?

[Malaika 50]

makes me glad that my liquid phase for clear and full liquids is 10 days each. A few extra days for healing. Any history of diabetes?

Scared me a bit reading it and DEFINITELY glad we're on liquids for 20 days!!!

[Elisabethsew 50]

Scared me a bit reading it and DEFINITELY glad we're on liquids for 20 days!!!

Actually, Dr. Aceves allows you to go to a soft diet after a week of full fluids. So you have your choice of 10 days of full fluids or 7 days of full fluids. *Susan* and I both went to soft foods after a week and stayed on them for 13 days. Solids are a no go until day 30.

[Malaika 50]

Actually, Dr. Aceves allows you to go to a soft diet after a week of full fluids. So you have your choice of 10 days of full fluids or 7 days of full fluids. *Susan* and I both went to soft foods after a week and stayed on them for 13 days. Solids are a no go until day 30.

I think he may have changed that since you had your surgery, because he definitely told me 10 days clear; 10 days full and I received an email from Gaby yesterday outlining that same guideline with helpful ideas of what I can have during those times ... This is what her email said (synopsis)

Day 1 thru 5 (Clear Liquids Only)

Day 6-10 (thin liquids)

Day 11 thru 20 (full liquids)

Day 21 thru 30 (soft food)

Day 31st and beyond (solid food)

[Rosebud2 26]

Yep, that is what I was told too.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I think he may have changed that since you had your surgery, because he definitely told me 10 days clear; 10 days full and I received an email from Gaby yesterday outlining that same guideline with helpful ideas of what I can have during those times ... This is what her email said (synopsis)

Day 1 thru 5 (Clear liquids Only)

Day 6-10 (thin liquids)

Day 11 thru 20 (full liquids)

Day 21 thru 30 (soft food)

Day 31st and beyond (solid food)

I went with what they had printed in the booklet they give you with the info. I had to do 10 days of clear only so I guess it changed since April. I never heard from Gaby... was told she was away. I guess you contact her if you need her but I don't think she follows up with patients... unless that changed too. LOL.

[Malaika 50]

I went with what they had printed in the booklet they give you with the info. I had to do 10 days of clear only so I guess it changed since April. I never heard from Gaby... was told she was away. I guess you contact her if you need her but I don't think she follows up with patients... unless that changed too. LOL.

Yes, guess they must have made changes because Gaby sent me an email the day after I was released and said it was her job to follow-up with Dr. Aceves patients following surgery and had a big long email about what to do, what not to do, why to do it, why not to do it, what to eat when, ideas, etc. I don't recall receiving any booklet, all I received was my films, my blood tests and my operative report.

I just received an email from a friend who wanted to remind me that wine is a clear liquid ... :laugh0: Now, if I could only drink wine - it gives me an instant headache ...

[Elisabethsew 50]

I'm glad you got the email from Gaby. I never received any of that information. LOL.

[dange25 57]

Hi, my name is Joy. I am the 1% with major complications. I was found to have a leak 2 weeks out. I will be 6 months out on June 16th and have now lost 52 lbs. Beginning weight 190 now 139. Here is my story...

I began having back pain and trouble breathing just before my 2 week check-up. I came in and saw the nurse and she said if I was not feeling better the next day to come back in and I would speak with the surgeon. Sure enough...my 1st real meal (a 2 oz. omlette w/cheese). I felt horrible. I headed in to see the surgeon at 9 am. I had an Upper GI, CAT Scan, and another Upper GI to verify the leak. I was rushed into surgery and then spent 10 days in the ICU. Many complications followed; 2 abcess, infections, lung collapse. 4 days on the ward, 2 weeks of high fevers another admission for 12 days. IV antibotics at home for 2 weeks and I was on the feeding tube for 3 months and 1800 calories a day. So, it took me longer to loose the weight.

Now... I am up going to Curves, walking, and doing Water aerobics. I have lost 10 dress sizes (started size 20 now an 8 -10). 23 lbs from goal weight! Happy and healthier. I have a wound that still has not healed and and a rather large hernia. They want to wait to fix the hernia...so the can fix the tummy at the same time.

If anyone wants to talk about complications...I will be glad to talk.

Hi joy I was just wondering, and I know its going to sound strange, but... would you do it all over again...was it worth it?? for all the things that went wrong?