Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :biggrin0:

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :party4:

Dr. Aceves uses the staples and then overstitches - no mention of any sealant type liquid in my post-op report.

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :party4:

I don't know about the sealant, but I never had a drainage tube or sack to be taken out.

That's good to hear Jellico - I don't really fancy going back to work the next week with a fluid sac.

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :confused1:

They don't send you home with a drainage sack - mine was taken out after the blue-dye leak test the day following surgery - that evening, it was removed.

All doctors are different and I find from my reading here that most use a drainage tube. Mine didn't. In any case, I think the tube is typically taken out a day or two after surgery.

My doctor uses a liquid that he will rub over the staple line. I found a video of someone doing the procedure on youtube and they use one too. I hope it helps. I'm not looking forward to the blue dye thing :confused1:.

My doctor uses a liquid that he will rub over the staple line. I found a video of someone doing the procedure on youtube and they use one too. I hope it helps. I'm not looking forward to the blue dye thing :confused1:.

I don't know if all doctors use the blue dye or not - Dr. Aceves does - it's truly not bad - it's apple juice with blue vegetable dye added to it - the worst part is your tongue, lips and teeth are blue - plus anything you might spill it on is stained, too. Of course, the absolutely worse thing would be if it shows up in your drainage bag; but we don't even go there!

I had a sealant over my suture line. No outside staples, sutures or drainage tubes for me.

I don't know if all doctors use the blue dye or not - Dr. Aceves does - it's truly not bad - it's apple juice with blue vegetable dye added to it - the worst part is your tongue, lips and teeth are blue - plus anything you might spill it on is stained, too. Of course, the absolutely worse thing would be if it shows up in your drainage bag; but we don't even go there!

How does blue apple juice work the day after surgery?

I drank an ounce or two of peppermint flavored radio-opaque clear liquid and had my stomach x-rayed after I drank it.

If there is a leak, the blue will show up in your drain bag (or will turn purple is there is any excess blood in the bag.)

The next day is the radiographic test - fluroscope where you drink and the can see the path of your new stomach - that's the 3rd leak test Dr. Aceves does. The first is done while in surgery.

I didn't have drainage tubes either. I did have glue put over my staple line. I also had something called "buttress" used. It's this gauze-like material that is put into the stapler and then the staples go through it.

That's really good to hear! I think I'll be doing the xray test not too sure the blue dye one.

I was really glad to have the penrose drain up until the night before I left Mexicali, because it was taking out a lot of fluid that I think might have caused me some pain if it had stayed in. It may be considered a more conservative approach, but I like that about Dr Aceves. He is very, very careful. Three leak tests may not be necessary but he does them and it was comforting to me to know that I passed all three!

That glue is great. Promotes faster healing, but of course it costs more than stitches so not all hospitals use it.

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :thumbup:

Mine did, I don't recall what the sealant was called. He overstitched the staple line and then used the sealant. With regard to the drainage sack, I don't know. My surgery was on Sept.15, I had a drain at home and it was removed on Friday the 25th. Personally I will feel most secure against having any leak when a full month elapses. I think that is when your stomach is fully healed. In the meanwhile I am praying nothing goes wrong.