Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How long are leaks usually a concern?



Recommended Posts

I was talking with an old friend who got bypass almost 5 years ago. She just had he NINETEENTH surgery to repair a leak! She has been in and out of the hosp since right after she had it done. This got me thinking..... Is there like a time limit, of sorts, where after that point the likelihood of a leak either diminishes substantially and disappears all together? I know the sleeve as a stand alone is only a few years old but they have been cutting and stapling stomachs for like 20 years... or I think that's the number I read during my research, so surely there is enough data for a relatively solid answer on this, right? I guess I always just thought that once the tummy had time to heal that leaks wouldn't be an issue anymore unless you got stupid and like overate big time.

My second question doesn't have to do with the sleeve but I did very little in regards to looking into anything more invasive than the sleeve and I am hoping some of you who dug a little deeper may know the answer. She said that they are going to go in for the 20th time and they plan to revise the bypass... HOW?? A bypass stomach is only about as big as an egg to begin with... how can you revise it to be any different/smaller?? I asked her and she said she was wondering the same thing. This is one of my issues with bypass. You are not left with much of a stomach at all and if something goes wrong its not like you can go to wal-mart and buy a new one and with it being so small there isn't any room left for fixing a problem, as far as I can tell at least. Anyone have a clue on how the heck you revise a bypass??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon told me that leaks do not typically happen after the first 30 days or so. Most frequently they are found in the first 48 hours. Some exceptions include not eating the appropriate things which cause the leak.

Sorry, I don't know about revising a bypass.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My dr. told me that leaks are highly unlikely after the staple line has healed, could be up to 3 months in some people for full healing. But very unlikely after 48 hours. That's why they do the leak test right after and before you go home.

I've heard of undoing an RNY but revising... I don't know what that would entail.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

there's a new procedure call ROSE for people who has had the RNY years ago with weight gain.. I don't know if that's what they are going to do for your friend.

ROSE, which stands for Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, is a new, safer, incisionless, gastric bypass revision. It is not a primary method of weight loss surgery, but a follow-up procedure that is specifically designed for gastric bypass patients with weight regain.

The ROSE procedure is indicated for gastric bypass patients who were initially successful in losing the excess weight but are now regaining some of the lost weight because the stomach and stoma have stretched out and no longer effectively control hunger and food intake.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone! I feel alot better knowing that chances are slim that 5 years after getting this done I will be having leak issues.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said the time when leaks show up most frequently is in the 3 to 4 week range. After that it would be rare however in my case I had what they think was a pinhole leak that fixed itself around week 11.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said the same thing. After the 4th week, your stomach is healed, therefore, you shouldn't experience a leak!

Kelly dry.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The ROSE technique isn't effective. People lose 20lbs initially and then gain it back when the restriction goes, so I hope she's not getting that. You may also hear about StomaphyX and that's even less effective than the ROSE or POSE technique (it doesn't tighten the entrance of exit to the stomach).

there's a new procedure call ROSE for people who has had the RNY years ago with weight gain.. I don't know if that's what they are going to do for your friend.

ROSE, which stands for Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, is a new, safer, incisionless, gastric bypass revision. It is not a primary method of weight loss surgery, but a follow-up procedure that is specifically designed for gastric bypass patients with weight regain.

The ROSE procedure is indicated for gastric bypass patients who were initially successful in losing the excess weight but are now regaining some of the lost weight because the stomach and stoma have stretched out and no longer effectively control hunger and food intake.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The ROSE technique isn't effective. People lose 20lbs initially and then gain it back when the restriction goes, so I hope she's not getting that. You may also hear about StomaphyX and that's even less effective than the ROSE or POSE technique (it doesn't tighten the entrance of exit to the stomach).

She said she didn't know. She and I were both under the impression that they were going to somehow go in and fix the leak issue with some sort of revision...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The RNY pouch is made from the persons intestines. They still have their full stomach but is considered "blind" because the pouch acts as their new smaller stomach. I have read of people having it "took down" I have also heard of them banding the pouch. I suppose they could make the pouch smaller. I have seen people talk about revising from the RNY to the sleeve, which I guess would mean the pouch would be taken down and then their old full sized tummy would be sleeved. I am not sure if they would leave the intestines rerouted I guess if the person was having nutrtional or Protein deficiencies, they would undo that part maybe? It would depend on the dr and the particular patients issues.

It is sad that after this long she's still having problems and has had that many operations. I would probably get othet bariatric drs opnion before more surgeries if I were her.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The RNY pouch is made from the persons intestines. They still have their full stomach but is considered "blind" because the pouch acts as their new smaller stomach. I have read of people having it "took down" I have also heard of them banding the pouch. I suppose they could make the pouch smaller. I have seen people talk about revising from the RNY to the sleeve, which I guess would mean the pouch would be taken down and then their old full sized tummy would be sleeved. I am not sure if they would leave the intestines rerouted I guess if the person was having nutrtional or Protein deficiencies, they would undo that part maybe? It would depend on the dr and the particular patients issues.

It is sad that after this long she's still having problems and has had that many operations. I would probably get othet bariatric drs opnion before more surgeries if I were her.

The dr. she is seeing is the only one covered by her insurance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's pretty scary to think about all that rerouting and undoing and redoing with your intestines and stomach. But I would guess the surgeons know what they're doing and the body is an amazing thing. I hope your friend does well and gets everything worked out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • RacMag  »  bhogue925

      Hi, I’m new here. I’m currently on the liver shrinking diet. So far so good, but I have to say I haven’t found a protein shake I like. Anyone have any suggestions please? My surgery date is September 17th. 
      · 2 replies
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Fairlife Core are by far the best. They taste just as they are - chocolate milk. You can either get the 26 grams or the 42 grams (harder to find and more expensive). For straight protein look at Bulksuppliments.com ..they have really good whey proteins and offer auto ship plus they test for purity. No taste or smell...

      2. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Fairlife has strawberry, vanilla and of course chocolate. No more calories than other protein drinks. Stay away from Premiere, they're dealing with lawsuits due to not being honest about protein content.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×