Advice Please From Folks With Leaks!

[SylviaMom 83]

I had a band removed in June and was told to wait 6 months before any WLS because of an erosion. Doctor says a risk of a leak for me with VSG is 30-50% and instead recommends bypass. I won't do a bypass for a number of different reasons. I've read lots of feedback from various folks with leaks (thanks all) but wondering specifically if:

1) if you heard odds like I got, you would still do the VSG?

2) for those who had leaks whether you were able to go back to work while healing?

3) how long the leak related hospitalization was?

4) any idea what the total cost of treatment was (WLS nor complications are covered by my insurance)?

5) any advice, words of wisdom? Any questions I should ask my surgeon?

Thank you so much in advance. I am really struggling with this. :-/

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I had a band removed in June and was told to wait 6 months before any WLS because of an erosion. Doctor says a risk of a leak for me with VSG is 30-50% and instead recommends bypass. I won't do a bypass for a number of different reasons. I've read lots of feedback from various folks with leaks (thanks all) but wondering specifically if:

1) if you heard odds like I got, you would still do the VSG? Wow, tough call. Not sure I would

2) for those who had leaks whether you were able to go back to work while healing? I was not, I was off work for 4 months with the leak.

3) how long the leak related hospitalization was? Total (3 stays) I was in for 1 month

4) any idea what the total cost of treatment was (WLS nor complications are covered by my insurance)? Maybe $75,000?

5) any advice, words of wisdom? Any questions I should ask my surgeon? It's good to know what could happen and take it very seriously.

I would suggest asking in the band to sleeve revision forum - if you can, contact Tiffykins, she was a revision and had a leak. I think your risk would go down the longer your stomach healed from the band.

Thank you so much in advance. I am really struggling with this. :-/

[RawrrAshleex3 137]

1) if you heard odds like I got, you would still do the VSG? Personally, no. Do the odds go down though if you wait to do the sleeve?

2) for those who had leaks whether you were able to go back to work while healing? Im currently unemployed, but there's noooo way I would have been able to function at work, even a sitting job. 2 weeks after stent removal I'm still recovering and easily exhausted. I'm my surgeons first leak, SCORE! (not!)

3) how long the leak related hospitalization was? 3 weeks between figuring out I had a leak, getting a stent to help fix it, and making sure the stent was ok with my body/it expanding and getting the pain settled. (in between this and my next sentence I had another week stay as my gall bladder needed to be removed). Then another 2 week stay 4 weeks later as the stent shifted 2" up, dug into my esophagus and I got very sick. Then the gi drs were refusing to take it out until 6 weeks "as per the stent company's suggestion" until my surgeon and I insisted. (so the stent was in a total of 5 weeks,ironically the amount of my hospital stays)

4) any idea what the total cost of treatment was (WLS nor complications are covered by my insurance)? Still haven't gotten the statements yet. Honestly extremely scared to get them lol

5) any advice, words of wisdom? Any questions I should ask my surgeon? Go with your gut. I didn't take the complications seriously, thought I'd be like superwoman due to fast healing from previous surgeries and procedures. Funny that the last question I asked before being knocked out was omg am I sure I want to do this? And had a funny feeling. I should have went with that's a bad sign and backed out. Good news? I'm alive. I'll live. In a year or so I probably won't regret it.

Has your dr done many revisions before? What's his complication rate? What's his suggestions?

[dexter 205]

I am currently waiting to get a surgery date, but I'd ask about the longer your band is out, do your odds shift more in your favor.

My insurance does not cover my surgery as well, but there is a supplemental insurance offered for bariatric surgeries. It's called BLIS. For around $1500 they offer leak ins. Not sure if it is just an Oklahoma thing or nationwide. But if you decide to have the surgery, you may want to see if BLIS is offered where you are.

[Pegsinthewoods 8]

I have not had a leak from a sleeve but I had a very serious lapband erosion (nearly killed me). Since then I am trying to get sleeved and have been keeping track of folks who have had complications in case I need their help in the future. Below is the list. You might want to contact them directly if you have any questions.

Started May 1, 2011

1. Sandyd – infection from surgery (Reno) (VS Talk)

2. MeMeMEEE – leak (twice) (VS Talk)

3. Driver63 – leak

4. Tiffykins – leak (band revision)

5. Hansi – stomach ruptured

6. Dishdiva – leaks (Mexico)

7. YellowRose – infected incision (Mexico) & drain tube infection 8/5/11

8. Mommyinneed – seroma turned abscess (Mexico)

9. Sexypeaches33 – pancreatitis (Mexico) then gastritis

10. DivaDee84 – Infected incision (Mexico) leak (still @ seven months)

11. Honeyrubybee – splenic infarction

12. TKDBlackbelt15 (fiancee) – leak

13. Rblessed – leak

14. Jen Jen – leak (Mexico)

15. Ladiesassie – nicked liver (didn’t follow pre-op diet)

16. Moore37042 – leak

17. Jagator88 – leak & esophagus was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from muscle (Mexico)

18. Jsfound – leak (VS Talk)

19. Leisa815 – leak (VS Talk)

20. Jasleeve – leak

21. Joseph – leak Kuwait (VS Talk)

22. Peachqueen – leak (VS Talk)

23. Jcarelle – leak (VS Talk)

24. Jerseygirl74 – leak & spleen infarction (VS Talk)

25. Happylife – stricture (had a stent like a leak) (VS Talk)

26. Kookia – leak (VS Talk)

27. Nanaof5 – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

28. Jencomenz – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

29. Honeybunnyslp – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

30. Neese – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

31. Bedhead – erosion (ulcer) caused by an infection (VS Talk)

32. Donniej – leak (band revision) (VS Talk)

33. DogBone (wife’s cousin) – leak, tracheostomy, induces coma (Brazil) DIED

34. 4ALongerLife – leak

35. Minaleigh – twisted stomach, needed a stent

36. Mews – infected incision and blood clot

37. Laura74 – (husband, OH) stomach started to close up so had a stent (stricture?)

38. Victoria28 – leak (ThinnerTimes)

39. Happylife – twisted stricture (VS Talk)

40. P77tmy – blood clots (VS Talk)

41. CrazyCatLady – blood clot (VS Talk)

42. Karlij – leak (Obesity Help)

43. 1maryreigel – swollen

44. Gigglee – open wound? Vst

45. Twistedkitten25 – internal bleeding and abscess

46. Shane5958 – blood abscess

47. Cookies – blood clot

48. Wendyr – spleen infarction, leak, pneumonia (punctured lung when placing drain for leak)

49. Stephwb – leak

50. Irishgirlparisi – UTI (foley catheter) & MRSA from JP tube (Thinner Times)

51. Heidi P – leak (Obesity Help)

52. Moxy – leak (Obesity Help)

53. Cthompson580 – leak (Obesity Help)

54. Jsd2 – very sick also had blood clots, heart palpitations (VS Talk)

55. Abbybeep – stricture w/in first five days (VS Talk)

56. Lulugirl – bacterial infection & possible stricture (VS Talk)

57. Ready2Bthin – acid refluc & wasn’t able to get protein/vitamins in, developed problem w/balance & walking (VS Talk)

58. RawrrAshleex3 – leak (VS Talk)

59. Candice1222 – leak (VS Talk)

60. Cat_woman – leak (Obesity Help)

[4ALongerLife 329]

Can you wait long enough to have your tummy heal and your % of risk goes down?

I was a self pay (and please don't put me on a list of leaks/ppl you are keeping up with!) and I got pneumonia a few days after my surgery, a leak a week or two later. If you want specifics on what my month in the hospital cost me, inbox me.

Is there a way to get your % of risk down on sleeve?

And we don't have BLIS here in TX, but after my time at the small hospital (which used to be a community hospital and is now part of a large non-profit), they were awesome, but are offering this sort of insurance and I would personally buy it for surgery now if I would have known then what I know now.

[SylviaMom 83]

Thank you all for your responses. This is why I LOVE this board. As an update, I have been communicating with my surgeon (Dr. Aceves). I am proceeding with the Sleeve in December. Yes, there is risk of a leak and it is definitely is higher than a virgin sleeve (but not as high as I originally understood). Yes, I am scared because a leak sounds incredibly unpleasant and fatal if not treated promptly.

But, I am trying to minimize the risk by going with one of the most experienced revision surgeons in the world. I am waiting 6 months since the removal and Dr. Aceves feels its more or less the same waiting 6 months and waiting a year or more. Even though Dr. Aceves doesn't have a specific opinion about an antiinflammation diet, I plan to start one. Also, I feel like the odds of remaining unhealthy without the surgery is a near certainty.

Thanks again all for your thoughtful responses.

[RawrrAshleex3 137]

Pegsinthewoods: I had a splenic infarct as well lol (and problems with my stent (to fix the leak) shifting and digging into my esophagus causing me to get sick. And a salvatory infection (face blew up) with jaundice. And liver enzymes/white cell count spiked. And 2 picc lines as they thought one got infected. And an emergency gall bladder removal. And severe dehydration. And.... Lol >.< (they weren't in that order though). Well, atleast I'm jobless (AND got let go from work the Friday before surgery lol). And let me tell you, these past 3 months have flown by! It's like a few blinks and I'm 57# down! hehe

[happytohavethesleeve 9]

I didn't know anyone made a list! I am on it too. Twice actually. I had a twisted stricture. Same sort of treatment as a leak. Happylife. I was most unable to work for months. I dont know the total cost of treatment. Would be scared to even guess. The facility that did my surgery covered the costs. God bless them. I went from Aug 10/2011 to Dec 24/2011 without eating and at times keeping down only some liquids. Long periods no liquids either. I had 8 dilations, 4 operations, 2 feeding tubes through my noes, stent placement, and than removal from migration. Than I had a unheard of fix. Called Stictureplasty. After the Sleeve healed for a long period of time they cut the twisted stricture out and put the two parts of the sleeve back together. And crossed fingers for no leak. It worked! The reason I mention this to you is they told me if the scar tissue from the twisted stricture was soft chances would be better for no leak. As it is difficult to have scared tissue mend. Another thing is they gave me a J tube. It was a feeding tube that went directly into my tummy so that I didn't have to eat or drink while the revision surgery healed. I would do it all over believe it or not. I love my sleeve so much. For you it is a personal decision that only you can make. I wish you the best and happiness!

[mylifeinpink 349]

I have not had a leak from a sleeve but I had a very serious lapband erosion (nearly killed me). Since then I am trying to get sleeved and have been keeping track of folks who have had complications in case I need their help in the future. Below is the list. You might want to contact them directly if you have any questions.

Started May 1' date=' 2011

1. Sandyd – infection from surgery (Reno) (VS Talk)

2. MeMeMEEE – leak (twice) (VS Talk)

3. Driver63 – leak

4. Tiffykins – leak (band revision)

5. Hansi – stomach ruptured

6. Dishdiva – leaks (Mexico)

7. YellowRose – infected incision (Mexico) & drain tube infection 8/5/11

8. Mommyinneed – seroma turned abscess (Mexico)

9. Sexypeaches33 – pancreatitis (Mexico) then gastritis

10. DivaDee84 – Infected incision (Mexico) leak (still @ seven months)

11. Honeyrubybee – splenic infarction

12. TKDBlackbelt15 (fiancee) – leak

13. Rblessed – leak

14. Jen Jen – leak (Mexico)

15. Ladiesassie – nicked liver (didn’t follow pre-op diet)

16. Moore37042 – leak

17. Jagator88 – leak & esophagus was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from muscle (Mexico)

18. Jsfound – leak (VS Talk)

19. Leisa815 – leak (VS Talk)

20. Jasleeve – leak

21. Joseph – leak Kuwait (VS Talk)

22. Peachqueen – leak (VS Talk)

23. Jcarelle – leak (VS Talk)

24. Jerseygirl74 – leak & spleen infarction (VS Talk)

25. Happylife – stricture (had a stent like a leak) (VS Talk)

26. Kookia – leak (VS Talk)

27. Nanaof5 – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

28. Jencomenz – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

29. Honeybunnyslp – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

30. Neese – spleen infarction (VS Talk)

31. Bedhead – erosion (ulcer) caused by an infection (VS Talk)

32. Donniej – leak (band revision) (VS Talk)

33. DogBone (wife’s cousin) – leak, tracheostomy, induces coma (Brazil) DIED

34. 4ALongerLife – leak

35. Minaleigh – twisted stomach, needed a stent

36. Mews – infected incision and blood clot

37. Laura74 – (husband, OH) stomach started to close up so had a stent (stricture?)

38. Victoria28 – leak (ThinnerTimes)

39. Happylife – twisted stricture (VS Talk)

40. P77tmy – blood clots (VS Talk)

41. CrazyCatLady – blood clot (VS Talk)

42. Karlij – leak (Obesity Help)

43. 1maryreigel – swollen

44. Gigglee – open wound? Vst

45. Twistedkitten25 – internal bleeding and abscess

46. Shane5958 – blood abscess

47. Cookies – blood clot

48. Wendyr – spleen infarction, leak, pneumonia (punctured lung when placing drain for leak)

49. Stephwb – leak

50. Irishgirlparisi – UTI (foley catheter) & MRSA from JP tube (Thinner Times)

51. Heidi P – leak (Obesity Help)

52. Moxy – leak (Obesity Help)

53. Cthompson580 – leak (Obesity Help)

54. Jsd2 – very sick also had blood clots, heart palpitations (VS Talk)

55. Abbybeep – stricture w/in first five days (VS Talk)

56. Lulugirl – bacterial infection & possible stricture (VS Talk)

57. Ready2Bthin – acid refluc & wasn’t able to get protein/vitamins in, developed problem w/balance & walking (VS Talk)

58. RawrrAshleex3 – leak (VS Talk)

59. Candice1222 – leak (VS Talk)

60. Cat_woman – leak (Obesity Help)[/quote']

**************************

And NOW a list of people that have had NO complications- (in case anyone would like a little positivity)

1. Mylifeinpink - Self Pay (MEXICO) *gasp*

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

The vast majority of us had zero complications, I think the point of this is that for the people who HAVE had complications, this is a resource to share experiences. Considering the thousands of people who post here and at Obesity help - this seems like a pretty short list and I don't think it is negative at all.

Best wishes to all of you recovering from a difficult time. Hang in there, there are so many success stories of people who get over that horrible experience and go on to great things! Tiffykins who used to post here regularly, was a revision from a band to a sleeve, had a leak and then recovered and went on to get to an amazingly slim healthy body... and has since had babies!!! She really inspired me.

There are lots of good stories from "former complications" people that can give encouragement. As a revision from band to sleeve, I knew my risk of leaks and excess bleeding was much higher then a virgin sleever. Hearing the stories that people do make it through that bad experience is part of what gave me courage to go ahead with the best decision I ever made - to get the sleeve. I luckily had no serious complications, but I was definately scared pre-op! This surgery saved my life, I really believe that, but it is smart to know the risks going in....

[4ALongerLife 329]

I don't want to be included on your list of ppl with issues please. thank you

[RawrrAshleex3 137]

I don't want to be included on your list of ppl with issues please. thank you

I wish I had seen this list before, and I am happy to be on the list. From jasleeve's name being thrown out she really helped when I had a leak. I hope I can be of help to someone going through the same in the future because I know how scary it was. ++I posted on a public website. People will do what they want with my info, possibly use it in a future study. My posts are searchable. Oh well life goes on.

[babie_girl28 0]

Has anyone heard from number 54 on the list. 54. Jsd2 – very sick also had blood clots, heart palpitations (VS Talk) She had one of the most serious cases of complications that I have ever heard of. I hope she is ok.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And leaks are still big worry for us as Bariatic patients. One girl told me her first thought coming out of anesthesia and surgery was:
"Did they get everything sealed up right?"