Gastric Sleeve-Leak

Hi-

I had gastric sleeve surgery almost two months ago and two weeks post op a leak was discovered. I am on a feeding tube, nothing by mouth and have a drain from my stomach. Looking for someone who had this problem. Did your leak heal on it's own, if it did how long did it take, if it didn't heal what did you have done?

Just looking for some info, hope, anything, very disappointed and frustrated at this point.

Thank you for you help!

i am so sorry to hear of your situation :( That is horrible. I have not experienced this situation but I am curious to know how they discovered the leak. I am a little over 2 weeks out and I have not been feeling too great these last few days. Horrible headaches, weakness, dizziness, restlessness, heart palpitations that are scaring me. I googled it and didn't find anything related to a leak though.

What are they telling you about your leak as far as it healing? Are you hospitalized or at home? Is it painful? I know I am asking 400 questions when you came here for an answer. I'm sorry.

I really hope things get better for you. My heart goes out to you. It really does :)

If you need to talk, I'm here...

you need to call your dr. You have symptoms that could indicate a leak. Please don't take a chance.

Seriously??? I thought it was dehydration. I do not have a fever either. The heart palpitations and dizziness are my main concern. Is there any info on this board about leaks? When I used the search I didn't find any pertinent information. I'm going to try vsgfacts or faq and see. Last night it did get to the point that I put the phone near me incase I needed to call an ambulance because of my heart...  Ok, I will be a little more concerned than I was. I don't like to be dramatic so I don't usually go to the dr until I KNOW something is wrong.

Thank you for the push.

Heart palpitations and dizziness are some listed symptoms for a leak.  I think it is worth contacting your doctor for advice.

Major symptoms include:  fever, pain in chest/shoulder area (easily confused with gas), nausea, dizziness, vomiting, heart palpitations.

Some of those....particularly the dizziness, pain in chest, and shortness of breath can also be attributed to a pulmonary embolism.

Not everyone feels all these symptoms......I've read a few stories on OH that people got leaks and only had some mild discomfort at first.....no fever or nothing.

I guess what I am saying.....if you are worried call your doctor.  That is what they are for.

And remember.....leaks are extremely rare.  Usually under 1% for most experienced VSG surgeons.

It could be dehydration too...  get some Powerade zero and get some fluids in.   Check your blood sugar levels if you can.  Think about what medications you are taking and consider if it is possible that they may need to be reduced or stopped.  For example, metformin or blood pressure medicines are culprits and it is surprising how quickly we can reduce or stop meds for comorbidiities.  Still check in with your doc though.  

Just realized this is a very old post!

I had a high fever 104-(developed quickly, during the night) I had no pain, I had trouble breathing -I went to the ER they thought I had a clot in my lungs. They ruled that out and then did an upper GI which then showed the leak- but other than that had no other signs or symptoms, I felt really good until I developed the fever.

I had a second surgery, they did not repair the leak because I was told the stomach at that point was too weak and could collapse, so the best course of action would be to let the stomach heal on it's own. I was in the hospital about a week at that time, now I am at home with the feeding tube and drain. They teach you in the hospital how to care for it then you have a visiting nurse for a few weeks, then you are on your own. I was told orignally that it would probably take 8 weeks for the leak to heal, just like any open wound, they expect it to heal like that. But I am not so sure because I still have alot of output in my drain.

At first there was alot of pain wih the second surgery, both the feeding tube and drain were painful areas. Now many weeks later the only pain with the two sites is when I accidently pull on the tubing or it gets caught in something. I can go anywhere I have a portable feeding tube machine. My migraines that I had under control for years came back a few days after the second surgery, so I have a headache all day everyday- a few meds take it a way for a while but it comes back.

I have read in some forums and articles that some people are at 10months or a year still on a feeding tube wating for their leak to heal and that scares me. I have a family and need to get back to work. My surgeon said that if it doesn't heal on it's own that he would have to do a complete bypass, which I do not want!!!

Well hope I answered your questions-let me know if you have anymore! Thank you for your support!

my daughter who is 45 had a sleeve done on 20 novembre 2012 stayed one week in the hospital then one week at home had to tranfer her to the hospital in an ambulance on the 5th of decembre couldn't eat. She is still in the hospital they put a drain in her stomack which she still has. They also placed a feeding tube in her artery in the neck. A few days ago she started having problems with her breathing and found water in her lungs now she has a drain in her lung. Her blood presure is very high 180 over 101. Giving her pressure pills to try to bring it down. Tomorrow they think they will be able to take the drain from her lung out, and they have changed her feeding tube from her neck to the nose she is starting to get out of bed and moving  the doc is thinking of sending her home with the feeding tube and drain. She lives alone and has bipolar which is a bit hard to get her motivated. I am her mom I am also 72 yrs old living in a home for seniors and my health is going down the drain looking after her I don't see her doing what the doc will tell her to do. I am afraid that she will let herself go down hill. Tomorrow I am going to the hospital to see if I can meet the doc and nurses and see what they will be doing for her. I hope I can get some answers . I can understand what you are going through so I will be thinking of you

Also - I believe you need to call the doctor, the info that I was given was about s/s of a leak; Rapid heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, fever, worsening , left chest or shoulder pain, abdominal distention, the appearance of illness and a general feeling that something is very wrong

It is worth just going in and getting checked out just to rule it out.

Hope everything is OK!abdominal pain