after surgery how do you know if you have a leak?

Your surgeon will order a leak test before you eat or drink anything. Like an upper GI but I didn't have to swallow as much.

The day after surgery they do a leak test.  After that the  symptoms would be fever, abdominal pain, tachycardia (elevated heart beat), intolerance to liquids, etc.

You will be so sick you would be glad to die. Seriously.

Just on a side note, I did not have a leak test.  I don't know if they tested something prior to my waking up.  I was not given anything to drink for at least twelve hours after my surgery.

hey jackie thats exactly why im asking because i dont remember them running those kind of test on me but atleast im not alone lol.........its been exactly 1 week from my surgery and i havent had any complication (nock on wood) and i read it somewhere here another person having a leak problem and 6 months later being still on liquids and that scared me......

I didn't have a leak test either... I asked him about it the next day in the hospital and he said that he used to do them, but now, unless there is some indication that one is needed...he doesn't do them until the one month appt.

I would be very uncomfortable with a surgeon that doesn't do a leak test for a month.

I wasn't uncomfortable at all...I knew what to watch for, what to do should I have any issues, etc.  Also, my mother was with me for several weeks so I did have another adult keeping a watchful eye on me. So, I think it just depends on where your comfort zone is.  I, personally, didn't even give it another thought.

My surgeon does a leak test while you are under - they pump the "stomach" remaining full of air....submerse? in water and check for leaks....THANK goodness...I was not looking forward to having to drink a bunch of grossness post-op...!