Leaks?

newfor2010 · January 1, 2010

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what a leak feels like and how long before that is not an issue? I am 16 days out and loving it!!

Tiffykins · January 1, 2010

You are most at risk for leaks immediately following surgery, and then another 6-8 weeks per my surgeon. That is why the post-op diet is so important.

I had a leak 2 days post op with my revision. I had zero symptoms until I took a sip of the contrast liquid, and then I had a horrific burning sensation in my abdomen. Before that I was up walking around, no fever, nothing.

Leaks can happen for several reasons post-op i.e. advancing your diet too early, overeating early out, profuse vomitting.

AlaskaChick · January 9, 2010

I had a leak on my main incision a week after surgery. It was weird, I got up from the couch and smelled something like anti-septic and felt that my shirt was wet. After discovering that it was actually me (haha) I grabbed tissues and the fingertip spray.

I pushed on the incision and squeezed for 10 minutes to drain it. It wasn't painful, just a little bit tender. It was just a pain because I had to keep checking on it and keep it clean. What worked well was putting a large bandage over it (one you would use for your knee).

I would say that it took a week for it to completely stop drainage on its own. Last week I was looking at my incision and an inner stitch pushed itself out, when I tried to take it out I had some more drainage, but just a little.