How long is leakage a risk?

[saralyn4 5]

Hi all, this is probably a question for my surgeon but there are so many knowledgable sleevers on here I thought I'd ask: For how long post-op is stomach leakage a risk? I've read it's 10 days, 2 weeks, 3-6 months...my main concern/question is- is it a risk life long or only until your stomach is healed?

[cathycnyrs 85]

My doctor said it is most likely to happen between days 7 and 10, but can happen months after. I think, it is til the stomach has healed... maybe some of these other folks will have better answers.

[m&m4ever 109]

I had a leak 2 weeks after the surgery. I'm not sure how long after the surgery it's a risk for though.

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I was told by my consultant surgeon that the biggest risk is the first 3 days. The degree of risk is still very high through weeks 1 & 2, then with every week it gets better, but you have to be careful. The risk is drastically reduced - to eliminated at the 6 month mark.

[m&m4ever 109]

Good to know.......thanks. Since I already had one, I'm being very cautious now!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Good to know.......thanks. Since I already had one, I'm being very cautious now!

If you don't mind me asking - how did the leak feel? How did you know you had one? It sounds horrifically scary and I'm sorry that happened to you

[DeniseM 238]

I was told the first month is when you are most likely to have a leak. It can happen the first few days after surgery if the staples in the stomach are not placed precisely and it can happen if you overeat or if you do not follow your post-op diet and progress too quickly through your food phases. Of course, it can just happen randomly for no apparent reason- just because you have a leak does not mean you did something wrong, but I was told that you can cause a leak if you are not careful with your diet the first month. My doc told me that usually by 30 days, your stomach has completely healed and scar tissue has formed around the staples to seal it completely so a leak after 30 days is rare.

[endless80 697]

Good to know.......thanks. Since I already had one, I'm being very cautious now!

Yeah. what does a leak feel like?

[saralyn4 5]

I had a leak 2 weeks after the surgery. I'm not sure how long after the surgery it's a risk for though.

Thanks everyone for your replies, I feel better that it's not life-long but still better to remain cautious and attentive to symptoms. M&m4ever, I'm sorry you had to go through that and hope everything is fine now I'm only 11 days post-op so I'm still in the "danger zone." If I may ask m&m4ever, how did they treat your leak?

[beauty29 72]

Yes someone please respond to how a leak feels.

[joatsaint 2,814]

Hi all, this is probably a question for my surgeon but there are so many knowledgable sleevers on here I thought I'd ask: For how long post-op is stomach leakage a risk? I've read it's 10 days, 2 weeks, 3-6 months...my main concern/question is- is it a risk life long or only until your stomach is healed?

This is from a post byNJMOMof2

Symptoms of a leak are:

Fever, rapid heartbeat, sever stomach pain, vomiting

According to my surgeon, after 14 days you have a less than 1% chance of a leak.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22197-what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-leak/

[m&m4ever 109]

Ok. I had my surgery on July 29th and had the leak exactly 2 weeks later. I was on Clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery and was going to start Protein shakes the next day if I didn't have the leak. I woke up Sunday morning and felt fine until about 11am. I got this uncomfortable feeling and stood up to walk around and got a strong pain at the top of my stomach. At first I thought it was gas, but the pain spread from top to bottom and left to right of my abdomen. The only way to describe it is the strongest labor pain you can imagine that doesn't go away! My whole body broke out in sweat, but I didn't have a fever. I knew something was very wrong, so I called the surgeon. He said it might be gas, but when I described how I felt, he said to come to the ER right away. They did a cat scan and said I had an infection and admitted me. The next am they did a swallow test to see if there was a leak. I was lucky, because the leak started healing on its own and did not require a second surgery. They knew I did have a leak because there were air bubbles and the infection. I was put on some serious IV antibiotics and IV nourishment in the hospital. I was there for 4 days. When I came home they had me on a pic line for 4 weeks getting antibiotics and IV nourishment. The only thing I was allowed was minimal ice chips for the 4 weeks! It was torture! Not to mention the constant diarrhea from all the antibiotics (sorry). I also had to see an infectious disease specialist in addition to the surgeon.

Anyway, it's now 2 months since my surgery and I'm doing much better! I had to start my food stages from the beginning. My surgeon is very cautious with sleeve patients on food progression. He requires 2 weeks Clear Liquids, 4 weeks Protein Shakes, then moves on to puréed foods and soft foods. I'm on my second week of shakes now. I asked everyone in the hospital if I did anything to cause the leak and they all said no and that it just happens sometimes. The only thing was that I was throwing up a lot in the beginning. They don't think that would cause it, but I'm not convinced.

To end on a positive note, I don't regret the surgery and consider it the best thing I have done for my health! I am already off my blood pressure meds and my cpap machine! Those were the main reasons for having the surgery for me. Also, I've lost a total of 85 pounds! (45 before surgery and 40 since).

My advice would be if something doesn't feel right, get it checked out! They said I was lucky because I came right to the hospital and if I had waited the infection could have spread and gone septic.

God bless and good luck to everyone out there!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

You are one brave lady. Well done for hanging on in there and still being optimistic! An inspiration.

[saralyn4 5]

m&m4ever- thank you so much for sharing your story, that was no doubt a difficult setback in your journey but you have shown true strength! Best of luck to you as you continue in your healing.

[beauty29 72]

I heard if you have a leak it disturbs your weight loss. Is this true?