Staple question

[Rebellious Butterfly 91]

I everyone I met my surgeon last week and he pretty much went over everything with me but I forgot to ask one question, What happens to the staples in your tummy is there a thread on here where I can get more info..thanks in advance

[JeanZ_RN 378]

They are a permanent part of you. They're really really tiny, and they just stay there. For more info look on YouTube - there are several videos. The one I saw showed a bariatric surgeon demonstrating the stapler and staples - fascinating!

[PdxMan 4,292]

Yup, they are a permanent part of you.

Like JeanZ said, there are a ton of videos on YouTube demonstrating how this works. Basically, the stapler cuts the stomach tissue while putting tiny titanium staples along the portion of the stomach which remains AND the excised portion. The excised portion gets stapled, too, so no stomach contents get released into the body cavity.

The stomach then begins the healing process creating scar tissue along the staple line. This is what is going to be the strongest, permanent structure. It takes about 6 weeks for this to form. This is the time frame where most people are at risk for a leak. (< 3%, as I understand the numbers)

So, once the scar tissue forms over the staples, they remain. They are non-ferrous and will not set off medical or TSA equipment. I haven't heard a single radio station when I sit in front of the microwave, either.

[rensterness 375]

As above the staples are your new little friend inside you permanently, although IF there was ever a problem and the staples needed to be accessed it's easy for the doctors to get to. Example..I had the sleeve and it's EXTREAMLY rare for this to happen but it turns out my stomach is twisting when I drink or/or eat. So now, five months post op they will be going back in laparoscopically and removing the staples and stapling my pouch to the scar tissue wall to prevent my stomach from twisting. This is very rare and uncommon so don't let it scare you, just wanted to give an example that yes the staples are a pennant part of you but IF needed to access the doctors can do so easily.

[Rycherchick 147]

I have a titanium hip joint for life why not staples too?

[Rebellious Butterfly 91]

Thank you guys so much for your information, I'm going to look at a few videos...xo