Anyone have a leak after surgery?

[Ruth D 7]

Just curious what a leak might feel like. Has anyone ever experienced it?

[Recidivist 1,141]

Hi, Ruth. Yes, I did. It was detected on the day after my surgery while I was still in the hospital. They were reviewing my stats and found that I had a very rapid heartbeat and elevated white blood cell count, which were apparently indicators of a leak. They confirmed it by doing an x-ray while I swallowed barium.

To be honest, I didn't "feel" anything except pain from the surgery. Perhaps it was more painful than it would have been without a leak, but I didn't have any basis for comparison.

Before surgery, I was very worried about getting a leak, but it turned out not to be a big deal. They were able to repair it quite easily as soon as it was detected, and it was a relatively short procedure. I had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days, but I it had no long-term impact. My recovery and weight loss were quite successful.

[Ruth D 7]

05/25/2020 08:53 PM, Recidivist said:

Hi, Ruth. Yes, I did. It was detected on the day after my surgery while I was still in the hospital. They were reviewing my stats and found that I had a very rapid heartbeat and elevated white blood cell count, which were apparently indicators of a leak. They confirmed it by doing an x-ray while I swallowed barium.

To be honest, I didn't "feel" anything except pain from the surgery. Perhaps it was more painful than it would have been without a leak, but I didn't have any basis for comparison.

Before surgery, I was very worried about getting a leak, but it turned out not to be a big deal. They were able to repair it quite easily as soon as it was detected, and it was a relatively short procedure. I had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days, but I it had no long-term impact. My recovery and weight loss were quite successful.

I have been experiencing massive shoulder pain that started last night. I do not have rapid heartbeat or abdominal pain at all. My surgery was May 20, 2020, I am thinking maybe I should call my doc and let him know. I also have no fever. I am walking 2 miles a day.

[Recidivist 1,141]

20 minutes ago, Ruth D said:

I have been experiencing massive shoulder pain that started last night. I do not have rapid heartbeat or abdominal pain at all. My surgery was May 20, 2020, I am thinking maybe I should call my doc and let him know. I also have no fever. I am walking 2 miles a day.

Shoulder pain is extremely common and is related to gas that remains in your system following surgery. It doesn't sound like you need to worry about a leak. However, if the pain is particularly intense you might want to check in with your doctor.

[New&Improved 1,780]

That's a lot of walking so early out

[Ruth D 7]

On 05/25/2020 at 21:53, Superman84 said:

That's a lot of walking so early out

Really? My doc told me it was ok to get the gas out. Now I am a bit worried.

[Ruth D 7]

On 05/25/2020 at 21:33, Recidivist said:

Shoulder pain is extremely common and is related to gas that remains in your system following surgery. It doesn't sound like you need to worry about a leak. However, if the pain is particularly intense you might want to check in with your doctor.

Thanks! I will call my doc in the morning anyway just for peace of mind.

[New&Improved 1,780]

Well you're not even a week out I was too sore to walk much except around the house maybe still had a little sore for a few weeks

[Recidivist 1,141]

4 hours ago, Ruth D said:

Really? My doc told me it was ok to get the gas out. Now I am a bit worried.

I think you should walk as much as you feel comfortable with. I wouldn't have been able to do it after six days, but the more walking the better!

[rjan 164]

I was walking that much by day 6. I didn't have shoulder pain, but I did have a bit of a scare the first time I tried a Protein Shake and had my heart suddenly race. I had heard rapid heartbeat was a leak symptom. But then I checked the forum and found this was likely stimulation of the vagus nerve, which connects to both the heart and stomach.

[ndyoung77 142]

So 12 days post op of my revision from band to sleeve I woke up to a 102.9 fever. Went to ER after talking with my Dr. once I got to ER after blood work I was Being admitted and treated for Sepsis. After more testing I had a leak. I spent 6 days in the hospital had a Stent place in my stomach and the abscess removed. I’m certainly at home on day 3 with a TPN bag. Absolutely nothing by mouth and IV to keep me alive pretty much. I have a very long road to recovery.

[SideOfSunny 20]

On 5/27/2020 at 8:59 AM, ndyoung77 said:

So 12 days post op of my revision from band to sleeve I woke up to a 102.9 fever. Went to ER after talking with my Dr. once I got to ER after blood work I was Being admitted and treated for Sepsis. After more testing I had a leak. I spent 6 days in the hospital had a Stent place in my stomach and the abscess removed. I’m certainly at home on day 3 with a TPN bag. Absolutely nothing by mouth and IV to keep me alive pretty much. I have a very long road to recovery.

How are you doing now?

[ndyoung77 142]

On 8/30/2020 at 8:14 PM, SideOfSunny said:

How are you doing now?

I’m doing better! After I finally had my stent removed and picc line removed I’ve lost about 15lbs. I‘m no longer losing weight . I’m very tired all the time but I’m alive! They keep telling me it’ll be about a year for full recovery. We shall see.

[Patna 0]

On 10/1/2020 at 8:25 PM, ndyoung77 said:

I’m doing better! After I finally had my stent removed and picc line removed I’ve lost about 15lbs. I‘m no longer losing weight . I’m very tired all the time but I’m alive! They keep telling me it’ll be about a year for full recovery. We shall see.

How are you doing now? I am having a minor leak and a pigtail drain is put.... my doctor says it might get fixed by itself as i am only getting 15 ml per day in the drain without any other symptoms. They will take a call after 3 weeks if the drain doesn't get dry.