Read about sleeve leaking
I was reading an article about an disadvantage of the sleeve leaking. Has anyone had problems with this? and what problems does it cause? Also they say you can gain the weight back i guess from it stretching, i mean i know this is possible with anything but if you are determined to keep the weight off and such it shouldnt be no problem. I was just reading and wondered of others thoughts on this subject.
re: Read about sleeve leaking
There are 2 possible ways to cause a leak
#1. During surgery the surgeon may not staple you good enough.
For the most part this is rare in the hands of an experienced surgeon.
#2. You yourself could cause a leak for not sticking to a liquid diet for the first 2 weeks. This happens from eating solids too soon. After 2 weeks post-op
leaks are very rare.
Gaining the weight back: This too is rare. The stomach pouch is very small.
For the most part those who follow the rules of protein first will not gain back the weight. However for those folks who have severe food addictions it's possible. This can be accomplished by consuming the wrong foods which are high in calories or consuming high calorie liquids. If a sleever needs further help down the road they can choose to do the 2nd surgery which is bypass or switch. This would keep them from absorbing high calorie intake.
Lorna :)
re: Read about sleeve leaking
I had my surgery in October of 2010 was hospitalised 2 days after release with pnuemonia but it ended up being a leak in my pouch.I spent November and December in hospital had stents put in my stomach moved around then taken out was on ice chips most of that time plus tpn which is nutrition that goes into your bloodstream.I was released from hospital New Years Eve as tests showed the leak was healed.
re: Read about sleeve leaking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nanabea
I had my surgery in October of 2010 was hospitalised 2 days after release with pnuemonia but it ended up being a leak in my pouch.I spent November and December in hospital had stents put in my stomach moved around then taken out was on ice chips most of that time plus tpn which is nutrition that goes into your bloodstream.I was released from hospital New Years Eve as tests showed the leak was healed.
I had to have a stent in my stomach. I was surprised how
big a deal it was having it removed. I read average time
for a leak repair is 71 days. Sorry to hear what you had to go through. I now kid about "Dr. X's ice chip diet." When
I was released from the hospital I looked like the staypuff
marshmallow man with all the fluid bloating.
/mike/
re: Read about sleeve leaking
HOw do you know you have a leak?
re: Read about sleeve leaking
Hi,
My son had a leak and documented the process on youtube, some of the videos are a bit graffic so be warned.
He is OK now and if asked he says he would do it all over again in a heart beat.
His biggest problem was that the leak infection started to eat into his bowl.
Go to YouTube there is like 10 videos from pre operation to after his complications.
If you do not want to go through all 10 video's he has done a "in a nut shell" video.
Here is Video 1
YouTube - Curtis' Vlog #1 - 21st Oct 08
Or "in a nut shell"
YouTube - My Complications In A Nutshell
re: Read about sleeve leaking
I have a gastric sleeve leak. I had surgery on Jan 3rd and still have a leak. I have a feeding tube and 2 drains. All meds, water and protein go through my feeding tube. I am not allowed to have anything in my mouth whatsoever. I spent the month of January in the hospital. I was very very sick. I was told that I could be on a feeding tube for up to 6 months. In one month I lost 50 lbs and only have 40 more to go. I am uncomfortable most of the time because of the placement of the drains. I have nasea and diarrhea many days. I am trying to stay hopefull and join life again.
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
very scary stuff. Thank you all for sharing!
Originally I thought 2 weeks post-op would put us in the clear but after reading on other forums I saw that some people said there are leaks that have happened 2 months out.
I'd like a fosure answer on this.
When are we in the clear?
Knowing what I know about leaks I may just push my graduation to soft foods back.
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
Wow! This makes me nervous. I did read about someone who had a leak for 5 months before diagnosed, it was pinhole and nausea was her biggest problem. (I think).
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
They are really not that common... especially when you go with an experienced surgeon and who is performing several leak tests before discharging you.
As the surgeons get more experienced doing the gastric sleeve surgery, they are lowering the chances of a leak, as well. They'll probably run a staple line and run a suture line as well on top of it, doubling it up.
They will test a few ways: inflating your stomach, using a liquid blue dye, and also by using x-rays.
Ask your surgeon when you meet them about their practices, and then decide if you are happy with their response before proceeding. But don't be nervous or worried. It's much riskier and more unhealthy to remain morbidly obese.
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
[QUOTE=Scotty;5771]Hi,
My son had a leak and documented the process on youtube, some of the videos are a bit graffic so be warned.
He is OK now and if asked he says he would do it all over again in a heart beat.
His biggest problem was that the leak infection started to eat into his bowl.
Go to YouTube there is like 10 videos from pre operation to after his complications.
If you do not want to go through all 10 video's he has done a "in a nut shell" video.
I've seen your boy's video's, actually I clicked on one and listened to the dramatic music, but since I have no attention span, I clicked thru to the end-that's why I read online, video blogs don't get my attention, though I'd like to have the information in some of them. (I am such a baby not labor person!!) Glad he's better, we all want to see him smile again!
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MediaHound
They are really not that common... especially when you go with an experienced surgeon and who is performing several leak tests before discharging you.
As the surgeons get more experienced doing the gastric sleeve surgery, they are lowering the chances of a leak, as well. They'll probably run a staple line and run a suture line as well on top of it, doubling it up.
They will test a few ways: inflating your stomach, using a liquid blue dye, and also by using x-rays.
Ask your surgeon when you meet them about their practices, and then decide if you are happy with their response before proceeding. But don't be nervous or worried. It's much riskier and more unhealthy to remain morbidly obese.
I Agree.x
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
I know this is an old thread, but an important subject.
I talked to my surgeon about this just last week. He confirmed that it is a rare, but very serious complication (potentially lifethreatening) as you can see by all the people who shared. I am a band to sleeve revision patient and have a much higher risk of leakage due to the scar tissue. I am doing the band removal as a separate surgery to reduce this risk.
It is scary, I didn't realize how difficult and long the recovery is until reading these stories.
What he said is that they all happen within the first 1-2 weeks, and mostly in the first few days. His opinion (I am not sure of proof) that the ones diagnosed later actually happened early on but were perhaps small or for whatever reason where not diagosed early.
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
My surgeon, Dr. Almanza uses a 3-step closure technique. Titanium Staples, Sutures, and Surgical Glue. I am sure a lot of surgeons does the same. I agree you should discuss this with your surgeon before surgery. I do not have the luxury of following up with my surgeon since he is in Mexico and I reside in the US. I however, have a very good insurance that would not cover my surgery in the US but thank God, I have 100% covered follow-up care.
My X-ray showed no leaks after the purple stuff and barium swallow. I intent to follow all the dietary guidelines and hopefully I will not get a leak. I am feeling very hopeful about the possibilities that the sleeve offers me. It is good to know that I will get to a size and stay there with diet and exercise. I had no "health issues" according to my primary so my insurance would not pay for my surgery and I had to be 40-50lbs heavier before they would even consider me a candidate. I was miserable at my pre-op weight and could not even get my head around getting a lb heavier let alone that much more weight. 9 days post-op and I am already feeling much better than I did in years.
Sorry for all of you that had the leaks. Glad they were found and fixed. I see way more good things about the sleeve than bad. I only wish I had the opportunity to have had this done years ago. Happy weight loss to you all. I hope your journey to the new you will be a smooth one.
Re: Read about sleeve leaking
Leaks were my biggest concern but seems to be a very small percentage of the overall number of ppl that have the sleeve. I think if you follow directions, that you'll do just fine. One of the things that I did like about going to MX was the huge volume of patients that Dr Almanza has completed the sleeve. Nothing beats experience. As far as when we are out of the woods, they suggested that we get a follow up leak test @ 3 months Post Op. My daughter is trying to schedule one thru her PCP but the PCP isn't very keen on her going to MX for the surgery & has been very resistive in helping her. so, I told it's time to find a new PCP. So, we'll see what the future is to bring!