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I wonder why some surgeons do multi leak tests and others don't...



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Several of us have used Dr. Nick here in Dallas, and he doesn't do a leak test the following day. I guess I never really thought to ask him why he doesn't. I'm 17 days out tomorrow, and these are the things that are entering my mind now. I am just starting to exercise again per PA release, and I'm having mushy food and introducing soft foods as well. I had a really mushed up chicken tender tonight watered down further with a little gravy. Not the healthiest choice, and certainly not a regular meal at my house, but even that guilt got me all freaked. I'm like the poster child for worriers.

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I haven't ever been able to figure it out either. My surgeon did 1 leak in the OR, one the day after, and a 3rd on the 2nd day post-op.

I am sure Dr. Nick has his reasonings, maybe he is confident in his ability because of his success with low to no leaks.

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I am the poster child for worriers as well. I am glad Dr. Aceves does 3 leak tests. It made me feel more confident after surgery that if I followed the post op diet, I would not have problems.

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Research done by Dr Cirangle in LapSF showed no need for them in his practice, which has probably done more VSGs than anyone in the world. Others may be following suit. But some surgeons who want to be extra careful, or who find that the test reassures the patient, continue to do them. I was glad to have them done, myself. There are various "right" ways to do things, and I suppose this is one example.

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I asked Dr. Nick this very question. He told me that there has been some concern that the leak test post-op may contribute to a leak by stressing the staple line. However, he is quick to order one if you become symptomatic (I had a leak test at 14 days post-op due to horrible back pain - it wasn't a leak). So basically, I called them with EVERY symptom I had that was concerning. I think every surgeon has their own thoughts and resulting procedures for limiting their complication rates and best taking care of their patients.

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I knew you'd have the answer, Linda! I totally trust Dr. Nick, and they've been great to answer questions when I was having that weird pulling pain and back spasms. It's so weird how those pains literally went away overnight. I thought that tugging feeling near my main incision was never going to leave! Progress!

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Theresa,

Dr. Nick has been great. I'm always calling for little things (especially early on), but even now on occasion. They are really good about getting back with you quickly with an answer (Bea, Kristin, or Dr. Nick himself). Glad you are recovering quickly - it's all downhill (weight loss anyway) from here.

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I was told that Dr. Nick doesn't do the leak test on day one postop because of his op day methylene blue test and the methods he uses in surgery (staples with buttressing, oversewing and surgical glue).

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OMG....the tugging by the main incision that you mentioned TwoBlueCats....I have that same issue. It is like my stomach is too heavy for the way the stapling went. I asked them why that one was so deep...LOL! Although a big percentage of my pain and discomfort disappeared when they pulled the drain out of me the week after, this is one issue I am looking forward to dissipating!

And on the subject of leak tests, I had 1 in the OR and a second one the next day.

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I was told that Dr. Nick doesn't do the leak test on day one postop because of his op day methylene blue test and the methods he uses in surgery (staples with buttressing, oversewing and surgical glue).

Yes, you are right, but most surgeons do some type of leak test while in the OR. Many others do another 1-2 days post-op. Dr. Nick and many others do not. I think it just comes down to the experience, training and medical opinion of the surgeon.

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Had leak tests done in the OR, and surgeon does it that way everytime and has little to no leaks <0.5%. I feel great, and would not hesitate to contact my surgeon if I had any unsettling feelings.

Follow the slow progression of diet, and don't be too anxious to move to regular food and give your new stomach adequate time to heal and it should be OK.

CC

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I don't know if they did one in the OR but I had 2 following surgery. They gave us the awful purple stuff to dink and then watched our drains. The second test was the exray following the drink. I thought they all did leak tests?

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Dr Webb told my husband that he did 2 leak tests in the OR under pressure. I also had one the next morning and omg, That stuff I had to drink was horrible. I actually threw up. Of course I was apologizing but my gag reflex is very sensitive. The day aftger surg I did not want anything at all, much less something that tasted awful. Good news though.... NO LEAK!

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That stuff is awful!!! It was all I could do not to puke it back up! But no leaks!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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