Hi all! So this morning, my mom brought up the prospect of leakage with the sleeve surgery (she's a nurse and it's something I hadn't even thought of until now). Now I'm starting to get worried! Does anyone know the percentage or statistics on this? Is there anything that can prevent leakage? Anything that causes it? Or is it just bad luck? Thanks in advance!

RESULTS: The risk of leak after sleeve gastrectomy in all comers was 2.4%. This risk was 2.9% in the super-obese [body mass index (BMI) > 50 kg/m(2)] and 2.2% for BMI < 50 kg/m(2). Staple height and use of buttressing material did not affect leak rate. The use of a size 40-Fr or greater bougie was associated with a leak rate of 0.6% compared with those who used smaller sizes whose leak rate was 2.8%. Leaks were found at the proximal third of the stomach in 89% of cases. Most leaks were diagnosed after discharge. Endoscopic management is a viable option for leaks and was documented in 11% of cases as successful. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve gastrectomy has become an important surgical option for the treatment of the ever growing morbidly obese population. The risk of leak is low at 2.4%. Attention to detail specifically at the esophagogastric junction cannot be stressed enough. Careful patient selection (BMI < 50 kg/m(2)) and adopting the use of a 40-Fr or larger bougie may decrease the risk of leak. Vigilant follow-up during the first 30 days is critical to avoid catastrophe, because most leaks will happen after patient discharge.

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I too had a complication, not a leak but a cut bowel. I don't think your Mom wants to make you doubt the surgery. I think she loves you and wants you to consider the real possibility of a complication. I was told only 1% had complication followed by the statement but that is mostly higher BMI patients you will breeze right through , no problems. That was not true.

I would say to any one considering surgery you should realize that complications are a real possibility and happen to real people and you just might be one of those people. The bariatrics center you visit makes their living off the surgery so yes they will down play the risk. Some here in effort to defend the sleeve feel the need to downplay the risk.

If you go in to this eyes wide open you will be better prepared for complications that may arise. Weigh it out in your own mind are the possibilities of improvement from surgery worth the real possibility of complications. Only you can answer that question but I think you will have a healthier frame of mind to deal with complications if you settle that on this side of surgery.

I am the 1% I got a leak and an abscess on 3/19 and was originally sleeved 3/5. My stomach for whatever reason necroted by one of the staples and it came apart' date=' causing the abscess (the leaked out fluids from your tummy are isolated into another part of your body), mine went to my diaphragm. My dr's had one other one in 2009 and that was due to the dude taking a gulp from his drink from Sonic. I"m thinking Sonic, carbonation.... um not following the diet? IDK....on his but I followed instructions to a t and still was the crazy 1% that this happened to.

It is RARE for this to happen from everything I've read, but do speak to your dr. about any incidents he's had and how he's addressed them.

If you want more info, feel free to inbox me..... but no, I don't regret the surgery. I've lost 51 lbs so far... of course I was on Clear liquids for over a month, but.....I just hope to keep losing......

I hope your mother finds a way to support you in your decision instead of giving you reasons to doubt it. Doubt is normal, as is a mother's concern, so not sure If I'm reading your original post correctly or not. I know if my parents had still been alive, well I couldn't have afforded all of this for one, but they would have given me so much negativity I probably would have never gone through with it. God bless my in laws though... they have been absolutely supportive. But did I doubt my decision? Yes.... but still glad I did it.[/quote']

How were you able to tell you had a leak?

Its one reason we have the post op liquid diet... to help keep stress off the new staple line in the stomach. Part of the cause may by your DR' date=' Part is how we follow the diet and part is the state of your stomach before surgery...some have erosion from the band or scaring from some other surgery or problems. I was also told 1%. I had no problems.[/quote']

That makes me feel better. I'm looking fwd to start the process. Thank you ????