How do you know if your staple line is leaking?

[Autumnrayne 3]

I have had zero pain. Up until today. I had surgery on the 8th so just over a week ago. I’ve lost zero weight. I’m following the diet perfectly. But today, I get a pain that’s just under my left side rib cage. Sometimes it’s on my left side where my ribs are but deeper. I heard leaks can be a complication. I’m terrified of that!

[GreenTealael 25,430]

Fever and very rapid heart rate *can* be a sign something is wrong. If you are in increasing pain and health seems to be declining (over a short period time) instead of improving, please don’t hesitate to let your team know

Good Luck!

https://jetmedicaltourism.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-gastric-sleeve-leak/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4194572/#__sec2title

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=154

https://doctormarvin.com/after-surgery/post-op-laparoscopic-sleeve-gastrectomy-concerns/

Edited September 18, 2021 by GreenTealael

[Arabesque 7,418]

Losing little in the first week isn’t uncommon. In fact some see an increase in the scales. It’s from all the Fluid they pump into you during & after surgery. It can take several days for you to pee it all out.

After the initial post surgical pain reduces you still will experience twinges & sharp sudden spasms - sometimes random sometimes after certain movements. It’s all part of healing & your body getting used to the changes that have been made internally. Be careful lifting & reaching for a few weeks to ensure you don’t pull any internal stitches too.

If your pain persists &/or increases contact your medical team. If you also experience dizziness, fever, distended tummy &/or bloody stools go to the hospital ASAP.

[catwoman7 11,220]

leaks are rare and usually occur within the first day or two after surgery. The typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and fever. As Arabesque said, pains and twinges aren't unusual and are part of the healing process. Also, I agree with her about the lack of weight loss. Most of us leave the hospital weighing more than they did when they went in due to the IV fluids - I've read about people "gaining" up to 10 lbs from that. It takes a few days to work it's way out...

[vikingbeast 987]

19 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

leaks are rare and usually occur within the first day or two after surgery. The typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and fever. As Arabesque said, pains and twinges aren't unusual and are part of the healing process. Also, I agree with her about the lack of weight loss. Most of us leave the hospital weighing more than they did when they went in due to the IV fluids - I've read about people "gaining" up to 10 lbs from that. It takes a few days to work it's way out...

This exactly. My PCP actually had me take my BP med with the integrated Water pill the day after surgery. It helped get the Fluid out and I peed like a racehorse that day… and immediately felt better.

[Tony B - NJ 643]

My surgeon sent me in after about 10 days to have a barium X-ray to verify the staples hold. He said the first couple days and then around the 10-12 day mark you see this issue.

[Bloodhound 17]

Could it be an incionsal hernia? I have had a lot of pain about 2" below my hernia. Looks like it's an incisional hernia. Evidently it's the most common complication at about a rate of 33%.

[SleeverSk 635]

37 minutes ago, Bloodhound said:

Could it be an incionsal hernia? I have had a lot of pain about 2" below my hernia. Looks like it's an incisional hernia. Evidently it's the most common complication at about a rate of 33%.

I had this pain my surgeon said it was my spleen because it gets disturbed during surgery

[elp93 26]

I had the same pain or in other weird spots on my abdomen spontaneously for a few weeeks. It was gas. Try taking gasx and talk to your surgery team about your concerns!