C_TimesThree

I did everything as required... Still ended up here, in hell.

It's not.. At least pre op my only "health problem" was my weigh.

Yes indeed you can, dilation increases those risks and so does a prior leak.

I had surgery July 1st. A leak found July 5th. 20 days in the hospital. 4.5-7 weeks post op: home with a PICC, drain, home health nurse, CT's once a week. 7 weeks post op: everything came out and my leak was closed. 9 weeks post op: thrush so bad my throat and stomach swelled shut. 10 weeks post op: stricture found & dilated. 10-16 weeks post op: 5 dilutions to open my stricture. 16 weeks post op: return of left side/shoulder pain, convince surgeon I need a CT. 17 weeks post op: wait on CT preauth. And now here I sit 18 weeks post op and my 2nd leak was found on. Monday when I finally had my CT. Has anyone ever had a 2nd leak/one that reopened? What was the plan for treatment?

I had a leak which is, we pray, is closed, since they decided it was closed I've been going through the hell of trying to wean off of the MASS amount of pain meds I was on and to top it off I have thrush so bad this week I've eaten 4 times since Monday. Even when I feel "ok" I can't eat more than 2 bites, less than an ounce, and I am so full I am in horrible pain because my stomach shrunk even more due to not being able to eat because of the leak. I can't eat so I have no energy, my body is in constant pain. And just for fun my hair is falling out in handfuls if you touch it.

I am probably totally alone in this but from the bottom of my heart I HATE this surgery, I would take every single one of the 55lbs I have lost back and more for the ability to undo this. Since the moment I woke up from surgery just over 8 weeks ago my life has been pure hell. I can't help but be jealous of all the people who can say this is the best choice they've ever made, for me it's ruined my life. I just want my life back, I want to be able to take care of my family, I want to not need medication just to get through my day. Sorry for the putty party but I'm sick of this hell I live in now, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason but I really can't figure out why this has happened to me.

15 days with Aetna.

Good luck!! The wait to hear back from insurance is agonizing.

I have to say no. Knowing what a leak REALLY means there is no way in hell I'd have this surgery again if it wasn't literally life or death. You can put your mind to it and lose 60lbs.

Good luck!

My sleep has been HORRIBLY disrupted since surgery. I take unisom.

My leak closed, my PICC was removed, then my drain life was good until today. Today I woke up with the worst case of thrush! My throat is swollen and hurts so horrible, I can't eat or drink anything without throwing up and I just overall feel like cramp! My surgeon has me on Diflucan and Nystatin, please say a little prayer I get well soon. This surgery has been nothing but hell for me, I've lost 54 pounds in 8 weeks and I'd trade it all for my health back.

And my surgeon only does it in two steps.

I'd go with what your Doctor says, trust me you don't want a leak, waiting three months is way way way way worth not getting a leak. They ruin lives.

Y'all are adorable! My husband who is 5'9 and 200lbs (healthy as can be) has said he's going to try and eat like I do. I'm 7.5 weeks post op but had a leak that just healed so I'm just now eating regularly but he's determined I won't get skinny and fit (I have 250lbs to lose, he has nothing to worry about) without him, it should be fun to see how he does... But he asked for peach cobbler tonight so he must not be starting yet, LOL. I wish you both luck! Help him be accountable, but be understanding, he doesn't have a tool like you. Is he interested at all in surgery?

My leak is officially closed!!! I had my PICC removed Monday and my drain comes out tomorrow! I am so so so thankful and cannot wait to have my life ALL the way back!! I've lost 44 pounds in 7 weeks and I cannot wait to blow that numbe away cause its not enough!

I started my process Januray 19th and had surgery July 1st with 90 days of "diet"..,

Don't leak, I'm also one of the less than 1% that has/had a leak. I'm so so sorry you're going through this. I'm so afraid of the drug withdrawals...

Somewhat better, I've been in serious pain and just feeling like crap the last few days. I had to have a new PICC placed Thursday because I couldn't get blood return on my old one. I also had a CT, the DR saw even more progress with my leak and has allowed me to advance my diet to mushy foods. I just want the drain out...

No, he believes it makes it weaker.

It can't be repaired, they tried to glue it and it didn't hold, my surgeon doesn't want to stitch it in fear it will make surrounding areas weaker and cause a bigger leak.

I still have the leak but I am home and still on clear liquids. I have a PICC and get nutrition through it and antibiotics. Still likely have a long painful road ahead of me.

I currently have a leak, my Dr said that a stent should only be used as a last ditch effort! He said they are horribly dangerous and very painful.

I'm ok, I had a follow up CT Thursday, there was some debate as to if the leak is closed or not so I drank blue dye and waited 24 hours to see if it showed in my drain. It never did! I've been able to start Clear liquids but as of today we still aren't 100% sure I'm healed so I'm only drinking brightly colored crystal light to see if anything shows up. If by tomorrow all is still good I will switch to oral pain meds and get Protein shakes! The hope is to go home without my PICC. Also as of today my white blood cell count is normal for the first time since the leak was found.