Leak Healed?

[Curvy_girl_20 3]

Hi,

I was sleeved on 3/28 and had a lot of complications. I had a leak a few days later and had revision surgery. A few days after I was released from the hospital after my second surgery, I had to go back to the ER. I had multiple infections and was septic and had to have a 3rd surgery. I have since been released from the hospital and am doing much better. I'm still on a feeding tube but am also encouraged to eat so I'll be able to sustain myself once the tube is removed. My stomach was in pretty bad shape and I don't want the dr. to remove the feeding tube if the leak hasn't fully healed. My question is...how do you know if the leak has healed? I had a swallow test done before leaving the hospital. Is that test enough?

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Oh my gracious!! I am so very sorry to hear this, that is rough. You are a very strong person to go through all of this.

From what I understand - so note this could be wrong - is that the "leak tests" they do should indicate whether or not the leak is healed. I don't understand why they didn't suture that. What did the doctor explain to you about all this?

[Curvy_girl_20 3]

Thank you. I didn't have a stent put in. I guess they wanted to try and let my stomach heal on it's own. My mom has been staying with me while I recover and asked to get another test performed since I've had so many complications...just to be sure. My surgeon was against it and I'm wondering if I should push the issue.

[shahada 82]

I have no advice, just a million hugs your way. I say at this point you can make all the demands you want - your body has been through hell!

[swimbikerun 1,045]

I would want to know the *medical* reasons why the surgeon is against it. I've personally had to deal with a doctor before that didn't give me medical reasons for things and used the 'you don't trust me' excuse to not answer. I found out he was wrong about a few things. Its not that he was wrong is bad, but that he wouldn't listen and how he acted in response to the situation.

I'd ask the medical reasons. Seems odd to me because I've not heard of this many surgeries having to be done on someone before.

[Curvy_girl_20 3]

Thanks Shahada!

Swim Bike Run - I was in good health before the surgeries so I was surprised I would have so many complications - 3 surgeries in less than a month. I'm going to take your advice and ask for the medical reason.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Well there are blips that come up, but yes I'd start wanting medical reasons. I mean ... they should have given them to you. Maybe I'm more sensitized due to what I've been going thru or that I've seen a recent blog post from a patient advocate who complained about the "needed" second mammograms, but I just want to see facts.

I mean what you are talking about is highly unusual. I know in my case things were missed. I just don't want another person to suffer because they got the same blow off/brush off that I did.

[Curvy_girl_20 3]

Thank you for the advice, swimbikerun!

[mistletoes 2]

Did your leak heal?

[Curvy_girl_20 3]

Did your leak heal?

I haven't had any problems...knock on wood!