Gastric Leak for 6 Months - Help!

[Goggyween 38]

On 1/6/2016 at 10:01 PM, smash83 said:

Wow, I just shared my story on another complication thread. I'm so so sorry for what had happened to you. I had a very bad leak and 6 months of hell. I would consult another doctor. Are you near a large city with a bariatric board certified doctor? In in FL and know of some good ones in Orlando or cities close by. My thoughts, prayers and sympathy go out to you. I regretted having done the surgery too until I was able to have the leak fixed

Can you please share with me how your leak got fixed?

[Goggyween 38]

Can you please share with me how your leak got fixed?

My leak is not yet fixed, but it looks like it is healing. I have been on a TPN now for 4 weeks, no food, no liquids to give my pouch a break and to hopefully let it heal and seal on its own. I am going to be on it for two more weeks and during the 2nd week, start slowly on liquids only. Then, if I can transition to thicker liquids and slowly ease into soft foods. CT scan shows my leak is healing, but very slowly. Please keep me posted. It seams like most people post what they are going through but they never post the outcome and results, which makes this site very frustrating.

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[Goggyween 38]

Very similar but a much more involved surgery and since a bypass leaves some stomach still being used you have more nutritional deficiencies. I am coming up on 2 years with my stomach removed (it's called a total gastrectomy). My life is pretty fantastic. Feel free to add me or message me on Facebook. I spend a lot of time helping people through the process. My name is Tim Bretthauer. My pic is a minion. I would be glad to help.

Thanks Tim, will do.

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[Skeeter70 3]

I am looking for patients who have been or who are in a similar situation as me.
I had gastric sleeve back in June of 2015 and have continued to have a small leak ever since that has NOT healed.
I have been on TPN for most of my nourishment but I am able to eat and drink much better now and hoping to come off the TPN in a few days. However, the leak is still there and is causing shoulder/ diaphragm/ chest/back/ pain constantly. Has anyone had a leak this long and if so, did it ever heal on its own? Surely, these random juices leaking out into my diaphragm cannot be good for my body and organs. My doctor has suggested that he may have to go back in and perform a gastric bypass if the leak does not heal but at this point that is not even something I want to think about because of more potential problems.
I regret this surgery even though I have lost 74 pounds. The complications however have not been worth it. Any advice or similar situations out there?

I just had GS done on 7/31/17. I went home the following day only to go to ER on third day not able to breathe and very flu-like. I was sent home. Returned to ER again next day and transported to hospital where surgery was originally performed .

CT scan and X-rays revealed leak. Emergency surgery performed and discovered sepsis and fluids from my pouch. It was cleaned and drains installed. Stitch did not hold to repair leak.

I left yesterday AMA. I'd rather be in my home and comfortable surroundings. I slept well and doctor has provided me with at home antibiotics and pain meds.

Left shoulder has been in intense pain and unrelieved by cold, heat or pain meds.

I will see my physician on Wednesday to assess what I should do.

[Goggyween 38]

I just started eating soft foods today. Was on TPN for 7 weeks. I am praying that my leak is healed. I should know within the next 2 weeks. Have been out of work pretty much since my surgery date of 4/4/17. Have lost 60 lbs. But still have my pickline. If this doesn't work, I really just want a bypass instead of a stent. I hear they are so painful. My doc said they need to wait like 8 months before turning a sleeve into a bypass. He said if they did it now, "It would be a warzone". So I am praying, praying, praying for all of us with complications. Keep us posted everyone, it really helps to see all the posts.

[Joann454 1,329]

I just started eating soft foods today. Was on TPN for 7 weeks. I am praying that my leak is healed. I should know within the next 2 weeks. Have been out of work pretty much since my surgery date of 4/4/17. Have lost 60 lbs. But still have my pickline. If this doesn't work, I really just want a bypass instead of a stent. I hear they are so painful. My doc said they need to wait like 8 months before turning a sleeve into a bypass. He said if they did it now, "It would be a warzone". So I am praying, praying, praying for all of us with complications. Keep us posted everyone, it really helps to see all the posts.

I've been following your story for a while now. I think I'd rather the bypass over a stent too. So sorry for all of you suffering and hoping that in the end you all end up happy and pain free.

[Berry78 4,261]

On 8/13/2017 at 10:31 PM, Skeeter70 said:

Stitch did not hold to repair leak.

I left yesterday AMA.

So do you mean the original stitch didn't hold, creating the leak, or that the new surgical repair didn't hold?

If you mean the new repair didn't hold, then you shouldn't be taking anything by mouth, since it will end up leaking back out of the stomach.

[Goggyween 38]

Thank you so much. So far so good. Today had baked potato, no skin, oatmeal and yogurt. Today is better than yesterday, so hope it still goes well. Keep in touch all

[swimbikerun 1,045]

I'd pray they are able to get correct medical care without the prejudice from docs.

[Skeeter70 3]

So do you mean the original stitch didn't hold, creating the leak, or that the new surgical repair didn't hold?
If you mean the new repair didn't hold, then you shouldn't be taking anything by mouth, since it will end up leaking back out of the stomach.

I am still on strict liquid diet, same as they had me on just before I left. Isopure drinks, broth and medically prescribed shakes.< br>
I'm feeling ether each day.

[Goggyween 38]

This is Goggyween, I am not sure if you are asking me about the repair stitch or not. It was not me who had a repair stitch done. I was on TPN, no food, no Water for 6 weeks. Then liquids only for 2 weeks, now slowly starting on soft foods.

[Berry78 4,261]

Sorry Goggy, I was asking the other poster. I actually remember your story. Still amazes me how you're being a real trooper through it all. And the TPN not letting you lose weight has got to be the icing on the cake!

[Skeeter70 3]

So do you mean the original stitch didn't hold, creating the leak, or that the new surgical repair didn't hold?
If you mean the new repair didn't hold, then you shouldn't be taking anything by mouth, since it will end up leaking back out of the stomach.

Original stitch fail is how I became septic. When emergency surgery was done to clean out sepsis they tried repairing with new stitch but it also failed.

[Goggyween 38]

Original stitch failed. I had a 14 mm abcess. They call it an abcess but it is a leak. What happened after the repair stitch failed? Did they put you on no food, no drink then? Basically a TPN though a PIC line?

[Brandij124 2]

I had a softball size abcess and tpn with a drain as well and I finally healed, so you will eventually heal. I'll be on the news in my state next month for it as well

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