Complications after my surgery!!! Leak and abscess

[sam20]

Well guys it's been a month since my surgery and 9 day after the surgery I ended up up in the icu. I'm going to keep my story short because it's very long and complicated.
To map it out. Doctor thought my liver was damaged because thats what x rays where showing so I had an emergency surgery and thank god all I had was a leak and and an abscess w bacteria. I've been through lots of pain and ups and down. At the first attempt to fix the problem they gave me all types of antibiotics and never new what bacteria I had. And for the leak they put a clip. I stayed there 2 weeks and was discharged. 4 days laters and I was back and still am in the hospital. I had another abscess twice as big and a pocket of air and my leak again.
Bacteria thankfully was identified and it's now being treated. In reference to the leak thats on the top of my stomach, doctor is very optimistic that it will close with out the need of surgery because it's very little. He says it might up to 12 weeks but he believes it should only take about 4.
I'm going home w a picc line for my tpn and antibiotics and w my drain.

He says that if by week 12 nothing happens we have to look in to having a bypass done because he
believes a stent can bring more complications.

So I come to you my family to give me peace of mind and tell me your experience and if you've been through this did yours close on its own? If not what was done about it. Was your leak big or small.

Well I await for your answers with a positive mind.

[daisymax22]

hey sam so sorry your going through such a hard time, I was sleeved Tuesday 3-15 only thing bothersome is diarrhea a lot and often. Did they do a dye,leak test the following day of surgery? Did you have a fever in the beginning or when you got home?

[kitsonk]

I am sorry to hear your story, sam. I think there have been a couple member with leaks, but generally they are rare. Only something like 1 in 200, if I remember the statistics correctly.

Just try to keep in a positive frame of mind. Not enough can be said about positive thinking about your body healing itself will help that become a reality. It sounds like you have a concerned and intelligent Doctor, which should help you on your path to recovery.

Best wishes!!!!!!

[mommabear9603]

I'm so sorry Sam. I have no words of wisdom for you...only prayers and lots of them.

[Rags411]

I have wonderful words of wisdom. I had my hysterectomy arthroscopically like the sleeve and developed a leak. They could not figure it out until a surgeon came in to open me up. As soon as he started feeling around he said I had a leak. He put me on bedrest and antibiotics for 3 weeks, except to go to the bathroom, and it healed itself. I have had no problems since. Our bodies are remarkable. Keep up with the antibiotics for the absess but if you are on bedrest (absolutely no lifting of any kind) the leak should heal. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

[tniagirl]

Hope all heals well and you are feeling good again soon! My best wishes for you!

[MBernadette]

Sending positive energy your way. I hope it all works out quickly.

[sam20]

Thank you so much for all your positive energy !

And Rag411 thank you for your word of wisdom.

[KAB44]

What causes a leak? How do you know if you have a leak or not? What causes the abcess?

[kitsonk]

Leaks can be caused by anything. Think of sewing up a pouch with a sewing machine, that is essentially what happens with the sleeve. Sometimes the body behaves oddly, sometimes it is difficult to get a full closer. If you get a leak, it usually will develop early after the operation. There is nothing you can really do to prevent them. If there was a specific cause, doctors would find a way to avoid it.

Outside of infections, a leak is the most common complication with a sleeve surgery. Depending on your doctor and their processes, you might have a drainage bag for a few days after surgery. I did, and my doctor said to me that it was simple, if you drink something like coffee and a brown liquid in your drainage bag means you have a leak. I am sure there are other ways of detecting it, but really it is pretty simple.

An abscess is a bit more rare of a complication, but that could be caused by any number of things. Technically it is an unwanted collection of puss. Again, there really isn't anything that can be done to avoid it.

[flevy77]

so sorry to hear about your complications. I wish I had words of wisdom, but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.