Leak Survivors - A Little Help!

[Lissa_S 787]

Hi - I had surgery on 3 September and developed a leak immediately, having emergency surgery two days later.

I had a prolonged hospital stay (two months) and am home now, trying to put my life back together.

For anyone else who had a leak, can you let me know if you had any further problems? I am so worried about the leak coming back! I've been fine and every week that goes by I get a little less scared but I would love to hear from others who survived a leak and if they had any other issues...

Thanks for any help you can give me...

[jasleeve 440]

i was diagnosed with a leak at 5wks. it was hell. they placed a stent in me that made me so sick that i couldve died.

after the stent was removed, i was normal again!

[RawrrAshleex3 137]

Same as ^^^. And honestly, if it wasn't for her I don't know how I would have mentally gotten through it!!! I had my stent removed and told the leak had healed in August. Nowadays, i feel phenomenal and can eat ANYthing!!!! Just in limited portions, maybe about 3/4-1cup depending on what I'm eating and how fast

[humnopnop 8]

How did you discover your leak?

[RawrrAshleex3 137]

Started getting sick to the point I couldn't hold anything down and I wanted to sleep 24/7... With my head in a bucket :/

[humnopnop 8]

Started getting sick to the point I couldn't hold anything down and I wanted to sleep 24/7... With my head in a bucket :/

I have been having shortness of breath when I shower and get real dizzy. Then when I do something as little as washing dishes my heart beats fast but calms after I sit and rest....

[fyre_storm 1,412]

Do you have high blood pressure?

[Lissa_S 787]

Thanks for your responses. My leak was diagnosed in hospital. I couldn't stand straight, had intense pain, was violently ill and my heart rate was around 160 beats per minute. I had two stomach drains in for two months, one of the wound sites is still healing. I had a test to confirm that the leak was fully healed at week 8 (it was such joy) and they then removed the drains.

I am so glad that you are going well after your leak! It gives me encouragement. It's a hell of a thing though when it happens!!

[iggychic 1,405]

I know you don't feel lucky...but you were lucky it was discovered at the hospital. Mine was out five weeks and it caused lasting damage to my lungs. My plural sac was punctured three times with a thick needle to draw out Fluid, then my ribs were spread and a garden hose on suction was put in the front to continually drain it. During that time my lung was crushed so I now have to watch for any illness that goes to my lungs because they are weak.

I will find out the 26th if my leak is officially cured, but I'm out six weeks and it's unlikely it's not (the doc and I just couldn't schedule the test this week). If the claw didn't hold I will either lose all or part of what's left of my stomach or have another repair attempted. I'm hoping that their feelings that all is well are right

I'm sorry you went through all of that. I know your concerns! but if you are healed and following doctors orders you will likely be ok now. Take it very easy though. It's nothing to play with.

[steelergirl 135]

I was wondering from everyone's experience ..looking back..was there any signs or indicators..were you feeling normal and the symptoms came out of no where...or after surgery you always felt a little weird..I feel great almost been two weeks but I still worry about it..I'm so paranoid..I'm just curious maybe if you guys could let us know how you felt the couple weeks after surgery..thanks

[iggychic 1,405]

I was wondering from everyone's experience ..looking back..was there any signs or indicators..were you feeling normal and the symptoms came out of no where...or after surgery you always felt a little weird..I feel great almost been two weeks but I still worry about it..I'm so paranoid..I'm just curious maybe if you guys could let us know how you felt the couple weeks after surgery..thanks

I never felt good after the first surgery. Somewhat due to the issue with internal bleeding, but also because of the leak. As each day passed I got weaker and weaker. I was in and out of the ER constantly and the doctors office. I never felt remotely well after the first surgery. After the second I was amazingly better even the first day after. It was like night and day.

[steelergirl 135]

I never felt good after the first surgery. Somewhat due to the issue with internal bleeding' date=' but also because of the leak. As each day passed I got weaker and weaker. I was in and out of the ER constantly and the doctors office. I never felt remotely well after the first surgery. After the second I was amazingly better even the first day after. It was like night and day.[/quote']

Thank you..for sharing

[Lissa_S 787]

I know you don't feel lucky...but you were lucky it was discovered at the hospital. Mine was out five weeks and it caused lasting damage to my lungs. My plural sac was punctured three times with a thick needle to draw out Fluid, then my ribs were spread and a garden hose on suction was put in the front to continually drain it. During that time my lung was crushed so I now have to watch for any illness that goes to my lungs because they are weak.

I will find out the 26th if my leak is officially cured, but I'm out six weeks and it's unlikely it's not (the doc and I just couldn't schedule the test this week). If the claw didn't hold I will either lose all or part of what's left of my stomach or have another repair attempted. I'm hoping that their feelings that all is well are right

I'm sorry you went through all of that. I know your concerns! but if you are healed and following doctors orders you will likely be ok now. Take it very easy though. It's nothing to play with.

Wow I am so sorry to hear your story. My lung collapsed twice too and I had about 3L of Fluid on my lung. Twice they had to insert drains into my lung to reinflate it so I understand what you are talking about. Good luck for your test and I hope that all is well!

[jasleeve 440]

aw <3

Same as ^^^. And honestly, if it wasn't for her I don't know how I would have mentally gotten through it!!! I had my stent removed and told the leak had healed in August. Nowadays, i feel phenomenal and can eat ANYthing!!!! Just in limited portions, maybe about 3/4-1cup depending on what I'm eating and how fast

[iggychic 1,405]

Wow I am so sorry to hear your story. My lung collapsed twice too and I had about 3L of Fluid on my lung. Twice they had to insert drains into my lung to reinflate it so I understand what you are talking about. Good luck for your test and I hope that all is well!

Did you have the front drain or the ones in your back? I don't know which was worse LOL But I use both as an example to people who have a few pounds to lose...

"Stick a knitting needle down your back without anesthesia" or "Slit a hole in your chest, pry your lungs apart, and then stuff a garden hose down in the hole...again, no anesthesia...then attach it to a suction pump and remember to plan your potty trips because you can't move without assistance". The second was a hoot when burdened with diarrhea!

If I'd had one of these procedures prior to the surgery I'd have joined a gym and kept the weight off permanently out of fear LOL

I was hoping you'd skipped this fun because they knew about the leak so soon. Your leak must have been higher up on the stomach as well. Sorry you had to live this dear!