What are the symptoms of a leak?

[amandaRN 1]

I am 18 days out and have had nausea the last 10 days and moderate to severe pain the last 5 days on my left side right under the margin of the ribcage towards the center that is constant and then there is pain in my left shoulder that is very sharp and intemittent, worse when I lay down. I have not had any fever and went to the ER yesterday because my surgeon's office said I needed an upper GI. They drew labs ad did a flat plate xray but said they will not do a barium swallow on emergency basis even though my surgeon's office requested it on the phone ( I live 100 miles away from surgeon and went to a local ER). The tests came back normal so I have no explanation for my symptms. My surgeon's office was irritated with ER but it was too late in the day by that time to get an upper GI scheduled at surgery hospital. They told me to go back on Clear Liquids 48 hours and basically lay around with my head elevated until my appt on 08/2 when my surgeon gets back from vacation unless I get worse or develop fever then to come back to the hospital ER where I had surgery. I should have gone there to begin with but felt to bad and car rides are excruciating for me right now. I can't decide if i should be woried about a leak or maybe I pulled something due to the hernia repair they did as well or if maybe this is just something some people just go through. I am VERY frustrated right now and want my life back. I SOOO tired of feeling bad and the timing SUCKS because my surgeon is out of town. I would like some advice/feedback from anyone who has had these issues and/or what I could/should do to get through this.

[NJMOMof2 17]

Have them check your gall bladder. I have read many posts about pain in that area being the gall bladder.

Symptoms of a leak are:

Fever, rapid heartbeat, sever stomach pain, vomitinmg

According to my surgeon, after 14 days you have a less than 1% chance of a leak. I had a VERY BAD experience NOT going to the hospital where my bariatric surgeon is based. I know you are in pain, but you have to make the trip. It's amazing how LITTLE regular ER doctors know about bariatrics!!!

Good Luck and it will get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chicadee 10]

if your pain is on your left side it should not be your gallbladder.

I had what they thought was a leak 2 weeks ago. For three days I had a random stabbing pain on my left side under my ribs and every time I took a deep breath I felt sore inside. When I had my CT scan they did not see a leak but what appeared to be air surrounding my stomach, they think perhaps I had a pinhole that sealed itself. I did not have a fever, nausea or vomiting which would be typical symptoms for a leak. I was admitted and given IV antibiotics in the hospital for 48 hours and they had me go back to the liquid diet for 2 weeks. I feel great now, like nothing ever happened.

A lot of people report having that pain under the left ribcage and it turns out to be nothing. Just make sure you follow up with the doctor as soon as you can. And if your symptoms get worse especially if you have a fever, go back to the hospital.

[TheButterfly145 9]

I just went through something similar last week actually. Pain under my ribs and above my largest incision on the left, queasy and bizarre pain in my left shoulder. Ended up in the er because my doc couldn't break away to see me. They did a ct scan and a bunch of blood work, the end result? Constipation and gas pains!

Everyone is different though so if your pain persists then I would definitely recommend that you talk to your doctor again. For me, drinking some senna tea, taking extra Fiber supplements and focusing on getting in all the Water I can resolved my issue. Monday will be one week since my incident at the er and I was sleeved on July 7th.

Good luck!

[amandaRN 1]

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. I will ask my surgeon about all this on Tuesday now instead of sitting inhis office feeling clueless and helpless. I am trying not to get depressed over how things are NOT going well for me and the encouragement helps as well as knowing I am not the only one who hasn't had everythign turn out smelling like roses right now. I am looking forward to the days when I can honestly say I don't regret doing this to myself...