Questions.. so many questions

Most of the CO2 comes out of your incisions while they are sewing you up. There is usually some residual CO2 that is absorbed by the body over time. Most surgeons test for leaks after the staple line is done while in surgery, others do that plus a post-op leak test with dye and a drain and some with dye and fluoroscopy. Leaks are signaled in most cases by pain and fever above 101 F. I left the hospital with sublingual pain meds, others have liquid. I didn't have to take antibiotics. The staples stay in for life and scar tissue grows over and between them. (You will not set off metal detectors, some people worry about that.) Early out, you have to keep sipping, sipping, sipping and your protein shakes count toward your liquid total. After you can eat solid food, you can also take normal-sized swallows of liquids pretty fast, liquid just runs through your stomach. I don't have any problems getting my liquids in.