Gastric Sleeve-Leak
hang in there. it will heal on its own. the reason your on a feeding tube is they don't want to make it worse. and your stomach is still swollen as that goes down you should heal fine. there are alot of members here that had a leak and lived to tell about it.......I know it sucks and I really wish you the best.
soon it will be behind you and you will still say that even with the leak you don't regret you decision to have the sleeve.
soon it will be behind you and you will still say that even with the leak you don't regret you decision to have the sleeve.
Please always consult your doctor first and only take my advise as a suggestion. 
I developed a high fever very quickly and had trouble breathing - but this is what info I was given;
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 wrongabdominal pain
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 wrongabdominal pain
I wrote this blog on LEAKS and STRICTURES August 5, 2009. at that time leak rate in US was 1.7% Describes signs and symptoms.
LEAKS and STRICTURES
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/carmelita/blog/tag/vsg+leaks+and+strictures/
NEW STATS study on VSG LEAKS Dec 17th 2011 posted by Avonlea.... REMEMBER....as MORE and MORE VSGs are beln done in the US ( 'the gold standard" someday ...meanin will be replacin RNY...in ~45 yrs!! lmao! about the time RNYs been out!) ....the LEAK RATE WILL RISE AS WELL!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4484902/new-study-on-l eaks/
BTW....EVEN THE BEST VSG SURGEONS in the US....WILL CAUSE LEAKS.,...it happens to the BEST of em!!
YOUR SURGEON...just caused a LEAK a month or two ago! He doesn't believe in OR leak tests Ive read....maybe not post op either! I dunno! Look it up!! .....if the post was not pulled/moderated that is!
LEAKS and STRICTURES
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/carmelita/blog/tag/vsg+leaks+and+strictures/
NEW STATS study on VSG LEAKS Dec 17th 2011 posted by Avonlea.... REMEMBER....as MORE and MORE VSGs are beln done in the US ( 'the gold standard" someday ...meanin will be replacin RNY...in ~45 yrs!! lmao! about the time RNYs been out!) ....the LEAK RATE WILL RISE AS WELL!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4484902/new-study-on-l eaks/
BTW....EVEN THE BEST VSG SURGEONS in the US....WILL CAUSE LEAKS.,...it happens to the BEST of em!!
YOUR SURGEON...just caused a LEAK a month or two ago! He doesn't believe in OR leak tests Ive read....maybe not post op either! I dunno! Look it up!! .....if the post was not pulled/moderated that is!
Sorry, I do not have an answer for you, but if you use the search function on this site you will find posts from people who have had leaks and recovered just fine. Maybe type in "leak" and "vsg" and it will give you posts from other sleevers who had leaks. I find it fascinating that most of them say even with the complication they would do it over again!! So please keep your head up...sending positive healing vibes your way!!
CRAPOLA...a MAJOR speed bump...WE"RE IN THIS TOGETHER!! YA JOIN A CAST OF HUNDREDS!! WHO FELT EXACTLY THE SAME or ABSOLUTELY WORSE!! Many regretting this surgery...only to within a YEAR...sing its PRAISES for SAVING THEIR LIVES!!
PLEASE BE PATIENT!! THIS TOO SHALL PASS!! believe it or not!! This will become a tiny blip on the radar screen someday!
YOU WILL RECOVER!! YOU WILL ROCK THAT SLEEVE and this will become a DISTANT MEMORY.. as you get on with your LIFE post VSG!!
KNOW THAT YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!! It IS a RISK OF SURGERY ONLY FROM CUTTING, CAN ANY VSGr GET A LEAK!! Do NOT accept a surgeon that BLAMES the PT. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!! ...well unless yer a sword swallower just post op .-)
THE LEAK WAS THERE TO BEGIN WITH!! Swelling, inflammation seal em up! ya can pass a post op leak test ....when the swelling goes down....LEFT SIDE BODY Torso Shoulder PAIN, FEVER, EXCRUTIATING ABDOMINAL PAIN STARTS UP!! THAT LEAK WAS THERE TO BEGIN WITH!!
Up at the gastro-esophageal area most common.......that LAST ROW of STAPLES....the surgeon NOT changing out to staples to smaller ones due to softer tissue (fundus), NOT getting a clean staple line, NOT reinforcing the junctures "oversewing", Also if ya ever seen a VSG surgery that area is VERY TUFF to get that stapler up in there/get a clean line and UNDER the stomach disection is sooooo critical in gettin a clean line!
Others here have gone thru a myriad of solutions in attempt to repair em....Too late for surgery...as scar tissue (within 3 days post op starts!) is formed cant suture scar tissue. .. Fibrin glue...nah..too much internal pressure.usually don't take all that well.....Stents...altho documented as most successful repair...too many MIGRATE...terrible pain is yer first symptom there.
HOW is your SURGEON repairing it?
.JP drains? Ive seen most success with em and leak repair...a few post VSGrs report that JP drain is placed or bumped too dang close into the LEAK...and sucks off it...won't let it heal...until its backed off a bit...IF going JP drain route...lettin it heal on its own...MAKE SURE YOUR SURGEON is THERE....when they x-ray its position! S/he should be able to tell if ITS TOO CLOSE!! and preventing it from closing. Avg JP drain LEAK heal rate is 71 days! After 3+ years since writing my blog on LEAKS and STRICTURES the healing rate has NOT CHANGED! (see my post below updated leak stats/Avonlea link)
HERE ARE SOME OTHER POSTS....you may find helpful
USAFWIFE, NOVASCOTIADAWN, STACIE P, CIDGRAD have all contributed IMMENSLY to this board..... hopefully they will JUMP IN HERE and TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE!! Donna (novaScotiaDawn) and USAFWIFE are on board alot...CitGrad and StacieP...not so much...BUT THEY WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE to TALK TO YOU... I just KNOW IT!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4381400/CidGrad-Leak-U pdate/ CID GRAD's
Post Date: 9/30/11 3:41 am
Shann and Tabb all the best to the both of you. I suffered first from blood clots and almost died THEM from a leak and spent 6 months and 21 different surgeries and Upper GIs having it repaired. I was on TPM for 5 months. I had three stays in the hospital for a total of about a month. Thinking about it now I am amazed and thankful to God for saving my life and making me well. I was terribly depressed, had to go out on disability from work, and it stressed my family to the breaking point. I echo Carmelita's sentiment. All leaks heal ... mine did and so will yours. I am down 160lbs and I feel great and look amazing. I'm back at work in full stride and people look at me in awe. As illogical as sounds, I would do it all again to be where I am today. You can't see it now but things will definitely get better for you. Take it easy and don't get depressed ... one day at a time. Please reach out to me with any questions ... I went through it all and am more than willing to share my perspective. God bless the both of you.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4352102/Fibrin-Glue-Your-Results/#36022860
CIDGRADs too ^^...but ALSO WHAT STACIEP wrote its GREAT!!
CHIN UP BAUSCH!! word on the street is ....A POSTIVE ATTITUDE is 75% of HEALIN!!
PLEASE BE PATIENT!! THIS TOO SHALL PASS!! believe it or not!! This will become a tiny blip on the radar screen someday!
YOU WILL RECOVER!! YOU WILL ROCK THAT SLEEVE and this will become a DISTANT MEMORY.. as you get on with your LIFE post VSG!!
KNOW THAT YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!! It IS a RISK OF SURGERY ONLY FROM CUTTING, CAN ANY VSGr GET A LEAK!! Do NOT accept a surgeon that BLAMES the PT. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!! ...well unless yer a sword swallower just post op .-)
THE LEAK WAS THERE TO BEGIN WITH!! Swelling, inflammation seal em up! ya can pass a post op leak test ....when the swelling goes down....LEFT SIDE BODY Torso Shoulder PAIN, FEVER, EXCRUTIATING ABDOMINAL PAIN STARTS UP!! THAT LEAK WAS THERE TO BEGIN WITH!!
Up at the gastro-esophageal area most common.......that LAST ROW of STAPLES....the surgeon NOT changing out to staples to smaller ones due to softer tissue (fundus), NOT getting a clean staple line, NOT reinforcing the junctures "oversewing", Also if ya ever seen a VSG surgery that area is VERY TUFF to get that stapler up in there/get a clean line and UNDER the stomach disection is sooooo critical in gettin a clean line!
Others here have gone thru a myriad of solutions in attempt to repair em....Too late for surgery...as scar tissue (within 3 days post op starts!) is formed cant suture scar tissue. .. Fibrin glue...nah..too much internal pressure.usually don't take all that well.....Stents...altho documented as most successful repair...too many MIGRATE...terrible pain is yer first symptom there.
HOW is your SURGEON repairing it?
.JP drains? Ive seen most success with em and leak repair...a few post VSGrs report that JP drain is placed or bumped too dang close into the LEAK...and sucks off it...won't let it heal...until its backed off a bit...IF going JP drain route...lettin it heal on its own...MAKE SURE YOUR SURGEON is THERE....when they x-ray its position! S/he should be able to tell if ITS TOO CLOSE!! and preventing it from closing. Avg JP drain LEAK heal rate is 71 days! After 3+ years since writing my blog on LEAKS and STRICTURES the healing rate has NOT CHANGED! (see my post below updated leak stats/Avonlea link)
HERE ARE SOME OTHER POSTS....you may find helpful
USAFWIFE, NOVASCOTIADAWN, STACIE P, CIDGRAD have all contributed IMMENSLY to this board..... hopefully they will JUMP IN HERE and TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE!! Donna (novaScotiaDawn) and USAFWIFE are on board alot...CitGrad and StacieP...not so much...BUT THEY WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE to TALK TO YOU... I just KNOW IT!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4381400/CidGrad-Leak-U pdate/ CID GRAD's
Post Date: 9/30/11 3:41 am
Shann and Tabb all the best to the both of you. I suffered first from blood clots and almost died THEM from a leak and spent 6 months and 21 different surgeries and Upper GIs having it repaired. I was on TPM for 5 months. I had three stays in the hospital for a total of about a month. Thinking about it now I am amazed and thankful to God for saving my life and making me well. I was terribly depressed, had to go out on disability from work, and it stressed my family to the breaking point. I echo Carmelita's sentiment. All leaks heal ... mine did and so will yours. I am down 160lbs and I feel great and look amazing. I'm back at work in full stride and people look at me in awe. As illogical as sounds, I would do it all again to be where I am today. You can't see it now but things will definitely get better for you. Take it easy and don't get depressed ... one day at a time. Please reach out to me with any questions ... I went through it all and am more than willing to share my perspective. God bless the both of you.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4352102/Fibrin-Glue-Your-Results/#36022860
CIDGRADs too ^^...but ALSO WHAT STACIEP wrote its GREAT!!
CHIN UP BAUSCH!! word on the street is ....A POSTIVE ATTITUDE is 75% of HEALIN!!
Most Active
Recent Topics
