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I Have A Leak In My Gastric Sleeve!

MeMeMEEE

By MeMeMEEE, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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peacequeen    434

peacequeen
Posted

Thank you ladies for posting all the complication stories. I too have a leak that was discovered a week after my surgery. It has been six weeks after my emergency leak surgery and I am on TPM and nothing but mouth. I spent three weeks in the hospital with lung issues due to the leak. It is good to know that I am not alone and that it does get better.

I'm sorry to hear you had issues as well. Please keep us posted on your condition. I'll be praying for your quick recovery!!

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MeMeMEEE    206

MeMeMEEE
Posted

Candice,

I am so sorry you are "joining" our club. Sending lots of prayers and understanding! I too had lung issues from the leak (pneumnoia, Fluid on my lungs, fistula between abdomen and lungs). It can be a very rough road. How are you doing with the TPN? I know the no eating can be very hard, I had a feeding tube but I believe Peacequeen was TPN. Be sure to share your story when you are ready, your symptoms and problems so others know what to watch for, etc.

Thank you ladies for posting all the complication stories. I too have a leak that was discovered a week after my surgery. It has been six weeks after my emergency leak surgery and I am on TPM and nothing but mouth. I spent three weeks in the hospital with lung issues due to the leak. It is good to know that I am not alone and that it does get better.

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MeMeMEEE    206

MeMeMEEE
Posted

I finally took the time to write down (in one place) my experience with my leak and abscess.

http://whoneedsdrama.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-vsg-complications-story-leak-abscess.html

Sweetyne01 and LilMissDiva Irene reacted to this

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RescueMom    0

RescueMom
Posted

Are these types of complications normal for the sleeve? I'm thinking of revision from the lap band, but after reading this thread, I'm having second thoughts. :unsure:

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peacequeen    434

peacequeen
Posted

Are these types of complications normal for the sleeve? I'm thinking of revision from the lap band, but after reading this thread, I'm having second thoughts. :unsure:

My surgeon had done thousands and I was only the 3rd person that had ever formed a leak. It's not a real common occurance but it can happen..one of the risks.

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RescueMom    0

RescueMom
Posted

Thank you for the response...just after reading this thread it alarmed me!

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MeMeMEEE    206

MeMeMEEE
Posted

I highly suggest asking around the revision forum - I know the risk can be higher in that case. They say in general 1% have complications. Doesn't sound like much until you are the 1%. But the other 99% don't have them. Really, it is like any surgery - there is risk. But don't let it discorage you - just educate yourself on the possibilities.

Are these types of complications normal for the sleeve? I'm thinking of revision from the lap band, but after reading this thread, I'm having second thoughts. :unsure:

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nurseghana    167

nurseghana
Posted

Who did you're surgery

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CowgirlJane    14,259

CowgirlJane
Posted

I personally think that while the leak rate MIGHT be 1%, I think the overall complication rate is higher... I think I saw a study that suggested around 2-3% since leak isn't the only complication.

I was a band to sleeve revision and the surgeon told me that our risks were probably "about double" that of a virgin sleeve. Scared the crud out of me, but I was in a pretty bad way at 308 pounds, 52 BMI so finally decided I was going to die of obesity if i didn't take the risk.

I thank God on a regular basis how well this has gone, no complications so far, and that while I am not at goal I am a normal sized person and my life has changed for the wonderful!

It is so scary to read about the complications, but it makes me so happy to read the "happy endings" when people get over it and get back to the business of losing weight and being healthy!

I highly suggest asking around the revision forum - I know the risk can be higher in that case. They say in general 1% have complications. Doesn't sound like much until you are the 1%. But the other 99% don't have them. Really, it is like any surgery - there is risk. But don't let it discorage you - just educate yourself on the possibilities.

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Mollyb    0

Mollyb
Posted

I was planning on a revision from band to sleeve. I have a useless band (5) years this past September and have not lost weight. I am going through the 6 month diet plan again and would be applying to Humana in February 2013 for the sleeve revision. Now I'm just not sure.

I hope you continue to heal. God Bless you all for sharing your side of the story with the sleeve. 1% is 1%, those are precious people- I'm so sorry that you have had so much pain and illness. Again, thank you for sharing with us.

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iggychic    1,405

iggychic
Posted

I've always been astounded that even those who had complications all say they would still have gone through with the surgery. That speaks volumes to me about the effectiveness of this surgery. I do hope those who have leaks will heal quickly and enjoy the rest of their journeys to thin!

I wouldn't do it again either. The pain and suffering and facing possibly losing my life...not worth it at all!

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lizv123    389

lizv123
Posted

I wouldn't do it again either. The pain and suffering and facing possibly losing my life...not worth it at all!

Iggy I won't lie, your story scares the crap out of me but it really made me assess my choice. For the longest time I was far too naive about it. I'm glad you're on here to keep it realistic :)

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iggychic    1,405

iggychic
Posted

If anything Liz, I just like threads and stories like mine to keep people's eyes wide open after surgery. It might just be gas...or it might be a hole in your stomach! I think early in this thread the OP said she didn't listen to her body or her friends. I also was too wimpy at the start and took the word of "experts" over my own feeling that something had to be more wrong than they were saying. I know you're going to do great :) But if there is an odd twinge...I also know you'll have it throughly checked out (or I'll drive to your house and drag your arse to the hospital to do so LOL)

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lizv123    389

lizv123
Posted

If anything Liz' date=' I just like threads and stories like mine to keep people's eyes wide open after surgery. It might just be gas...or it might be a hole in your stomach! I think early in this thread the OP said she didn't listen to her body or her friends. I also was too wimpy at the start and took the word of "experts" over my own feeling that something had to be more wrong than they were saying. I know you're going to do great :) But if there is an odd twinge...I also know you'll have it throughly checked out (or I'll drive to your house and drag your arse to the hospital to do so LOL)[/quote']

I reflect on this now and it makes me smirk lol

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lessofmeismore    1,405

lessofmeismore
Posted

Liz, how are you doing?

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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      1. Jodi74

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        I had the sleeve 9/13/21 and just had a the sleeve to bypass revision on 5/3/23. My HW:321 (I'm 5' 8" tall)and I went down to 254 while doing my 7 nutrition appts required by my insurance company. So just changing the way I ate, I was able to get those pounds off w/o surgery. I have many Co morbidities mixed hyperlipidemia, diabetes, htn, MI due to covid. I had read and done quite a bit of research so I could choose the best surgery for myself and learned previous to my sleeve that someone as heavy as I was and all the Co morbidities I have, it was better in my situation to have the bypass but, my DR. Kept saying I would have the same results with the sleeve. Every time I would see him and say to him that I felt it would be best to just get the bypass, he just shot me down and said the sleeve would produce the same results! Why he kept asking me which surgery I wanted at each visit just to tell me the sleeve was all I needed still a mystery to me????? Let's just say, my Dr. Was wrong you see, the surgeries are both about the same price, but the sleeve is easier for the surgeon to perform so I think my DR. Just wanted the easier since he would get the same pay no matter what. After sleeve surgery I did go from 254 to 226 BUT that's just because you are healing from surgery and can't eat anyway as soon as I recovered! I was starving non-stop. I went right back up and stayed at 248. Still had to take cholesterol meds, blood pressure meds, diabetes meds etc. I'm now almost 4 weeks post op the bypass and feel great. I'm not starving all the time, went from 248 to 220 and doing great! Not only what you just read about my story, you also hear about a lot of people needing revision after the sleeve due to acid reflex like severe acid reflex all the time. So the bypass surgery is the only way to stop This reflux if you acquire this condition after sleeve surgery. The regain possibility is higher with sleeve than bypass so just think about all these factors before you make your decision. I wish I would have just had the bypass and saved myself from having to have 2 surgeries in under 2 years. The bypass surgery was also less painful for me lol! I don't know if the new surgeon was better or what but, I was home the next day. After the sleeve I had to stay an extra night due to the nausea and vomiting all night and for pain control.

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