Leaks

[valerie805 4]

Did anyone experience issues with leaks? My surgery is on Wed and that's probably what I'm worried about the most.

[erp 2,016]

My surgery is Wed. too and a leak is my fear. Yes, people on here have had leak (Sannah, Iggy, etc). If you have not read the complications thread, do so. Also do a search on the topic. Leaks are rare but they do happen and they are very serious. Good luck on Wednesday.

[hollyr 49]

I had a leak due to my top staple coming out. I was 5 days post op when I got sick. I will spare you the details only to say I was in the hospital 7 weeks and had 6 more surgeries.

I am not trying to scare you but you asked. I had one of the best docs in Dallas. None of his pts had leaks in 1-2 yrs. There Is an issue w staples/staplers that has been reported to FDA BUT nothing done.

As much as I like my wt loss now I would not do it again knowing how sick I got and could have died. And I am a nurse. And i still cant eat three months post op. But you need to listen to your heart. I knew that morning something bad was going to happen and I didn't listen to myself.

Holly

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[emmyjeep2 7]

What were your symptoms

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[hollyr 49]

I had severe lower left side pain. Even had gone to my dr two days prior over pain but he said it was a stitch to my diaphragm.

The day I got sick I was fine that morning. Pain was fair. I had been outside in a chair talking to my family. I walked to mailbox and back for my exercise. My husband said "what is wrong? You are solid white?" Within an hour I was in my bed with severe chills then got a fever that went to 103.9. Called dr who sent me to ER. CXR and cat scan. Immediately started antibiotics, pain Meds etc.

I thought I had the flu or pneumonia. A leak never crossed my mind. The chills and fever lasted for weeks.

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[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Holly, I am so sorry you had a leak can you tell us how far out our you now?

Is your leak healed?

Any lasting problems?

[hollyr 49]

Thank you. It has been a rough ride. I have read this forum for months and hesitated posting. No one likes the negative.

I was sleeved Nov 15 so I am three months out. I have lost 61# (which is the saving grace lol). I have to have another endoscopy in April and until them I have to "take it easy" on my stomach per my dr. Which is no problem.

My typical daily intake is one Protein shake that takes me 1-2 hrs to drink half to 3/4. I sip G2 all day. If I am having a good day(about 2-3 days week) I can try 2-3 bites of either: grits, potatoe, sm piece of cheese or cottage cheese for lunch. eggs made me sick. I try to get in at least half of a second Protein Shake when I get home/ dinner. I don't do Snacks. My stomach can't handle it.

Some days I am nauseous all day and some I am on the potty all day.( My job has been very gracious letting me come and go/ work from home since I went back last week).. Other than these few things lol just trying to get my strength back after being in the hospital so long. It takes time and patience is not my best trait.

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[lessofmeismore 1,405]

It sounds like you are still healing from all those surgeries from your leak... I'm sure it will take time and I can relate to not having patience.

My heart goes out to you. I pray your endoscope in April shows you are on the mend!

Please do post your story and anything you need here... Your story is needed and you deserve any support we can give you!

I know it came with a lot of suffering but woohoo on your weight loss! Congrats! It feels strange to say congrats when you have been going thru complications but the weight loss makes for a healthier you and that is what we all are striving for

I hope to hear more from you and I'm wishing you all the best while you heal and every day after

[NORCALRN 60]

Did anyone experience issues with leaks? My surgery is on Wed and that's probably what I'm worried about the most.

i had a leak and a splenic infarct ( spleen not heart) from too much omentum (protects organs) being re-layered too heavily on the head of my spleen at the end of the procedure.With that came massive peritonitis with abcesses on spleen and liver, pneumonia and a bunch of other weird stuff. rare, but it happened. spend 38 days in the hospital 2 weeks after sleeve, and back on feeding tube with permanent one being placed 2-25-13 and i will be so happy to get this one out of my nose that goes down to my intestines. BUT, please, do not let those with difficulties deter you. I have no regrets but I do fee terrible that my family has had to worry, etc. I have a son (21) with challenges, and this has been hard on him especially. i needed to lose 65-70#and i have about 10-15 to go. Would have reached my goal a long time ago, but in the hosp. they feed you TPN through a PICC line, which is incredibly caloricaly dense, plus with my malnutrition, the formula i have to use takes 15 hours per day in order to get the nutrients and the calories are about 1400!!! Still, i have only gained 1.5# on it over the last 3 weeks plus i started strength training using resistance bands. on good days i walk the dog! I do nap everyday and see a therapist weekly which includes biofeedback. I have great insurance but between november and early january i had to convince my gastroenterologist that something was wrong b/c i could not keep down food or fluids regardless. it took him that long to do labs then order the NJ tube. so one surgery in 9 days and at some point another to have the feeding tube removed. maybe 6 months..who knows??? Again, you can ask me any question, and please, go into this knowing that you are educated about your surgery and the positive outcomes over ride the negative ones!!!! It is worth it and I know that I will get better. Congrats on your decision for a new you!!!!!!!!!

Trish

[hollyr 49]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words and thoughts. I have never been a negative person and I want to find a way to turntable experience into something positive. Right now the "wound is too fresh" so to speak but I know some day I will figure out how to do this.

I am seeing a counselor too. I have so much guilt for what my family went through. Even though I would never scare them on purpose it happened. 7 weeks of them not having me home. Two of my kids failed all of their classes for the 6 weeks period. When things go wrong it affects everyone in your life.

On a happy note. All my clothes are too big, I am 9lbs from "ONEderland", I can cross my legs and today I saw a full body pic and was not upset. . So yeah, there is a silver lining behind every cloud.

Again thank you for your kindness. Have a great day.

Holly

If I did this pic right it was two weeks ago.

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[iggychic 1,405]

Wow, I know people freak out about the stories but they need to be shared. This is the first time I've seen a leak survivor who agrees that it wasn't worth it. And for me it's for all the same reasons. What I did to my family was terrible And you just can't take that back.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Looking great Holly!!!

I know you are still struggling and all the suffering is still vivid but I pray with time you will be able to find the positive that matches your positive personality.

Everyone who has endured these complications is so strong...probably even stronger than they ever imagined they could be...

[Lorraine Freeman 47]

Wow' date=' I know people freak out about the stories but they need to be shared. This is the first time I've seen a leak survivor who agrees that it wasn't worth it. And for me it's for all the same reasons. What I did to my family was terrible And you just can't take that back.[/quote']

To Iggy and Holly, this may sound horrible but its truly not meant to.

I understand what you two ate both saying about putting your families through so much as I would probably feel the same, however you girls did it for the right reasons for your families. If you hadn't had surgery they might of list you to other things such as heart attacks etc. you are both certainly not selfish people. Sending hugs to you both.

[iggychic 1,405]

To Iggy and Holly' date=' this may sound horrible but its truly not meant to.

I understand what you two ate both saying about putting your families through so much as I would probably feel the same, however you girls did it for the right reasons for your families. If you hadn't had surgery they might of list you to other things such as heart attacks etc. you are both certainly not selfish people. Sending hugs to you both.[/quote']

Lorraine, your sentiments are felt and I appreciate them, but to be completely honest, I had no comorbidities, a long term family history of centenarians who are over weight but not dead at 100 and were fully self sufficient into their late 90's. I could kid myself all day long that I did this for my son and to avoid other ad issues, but medical history, genetics, etc, all say, BS iggy I did this to feel good about myself in a pair of jeans. And that, is not the reason to have this surgery.

[hollyr 49]

Wow' date=' I know people freak out about the stories but they need to be shared. This is the first time I've seen a leak survivor who agrees that it wasn't worth it. And for me it's for all the same reasons. What I did to my family was terrible <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> And you just can't take that back.[/quote']

I totally know what you mean. My kids text me a million times a day now asking me if I am ok. If they don't think I am feeling well they become the parent "Mom please call the dr before you end up back in the hospital". Hard to explain that some days are just bad days. It makes me sad.

As I look around now when I go out and way others and think of my previous habits. I realize I had given up on myself. I was eating fast food, large quantities etc. and yet I couldn't understand why I was fat. Denial. I had convinced myself this surgery was my only way back to being healthy.

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