I know that the stomach is stapled and cauterized when the larger part of the stomach is removed during sleeve gastrectomy, but what happens to those staples? Are they metal staples that remain in the body or are they removed post-op or do they dissolve?

My doc said after four weeks you are healed. Maybe say 6 for sure.

that's good to know. it's my biggest fear as it seems to be one of the more scary complications, the leaks that appear weeks later... as to what people have had to go through to get them healed.

I know I'm a little late on this conversation but I thought it would be worth while to mention that before I had surgery, I had a very similar question. Tiffykens replied and posted pictures of her sleeved stomach....yes, her stomach. It was awesome to see and to know that you're stomach completely heals up and over those staples so you don't have to worry about future leaks and such. Here is the link:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/19292-stomach-closure/page__fromsearch__1