1. What happens to the stomach staples?

2. What is the average healing time? Like when the stomach is completely sealed and healed?

I am 100% sure I have asked my surgeon these questions, but I am completely blank! Lol!

Thanks!

Sabrina

The staples stay in there right? That is what I thought. Your stomach just covers them up and bonds back together like two pieces of skin eventually bond back. I am not sure on this though...This is what I thought.

This is so unknown and the answers vary from person to person. Even if they don't know everyone should just assume 6 weeks. On that report they did where all the surgeons got together they called a leak after 6 weeks a late leak so I figure a late leak means you should be healed by 6 weeks. I have heard from 3 to 6 weeks.

Hey June! For both answers that is exactly what I thought. They stay forever, and 3-6 weeks, but as I was talking to my friend last night it seemed wrong? Lol! Forever? 3-6 weeks? Seems like that is not long enough! I started questioning my facts...? (This is normal with me though. Lol!)

Thanks!

Funny you should ask these questions, because I had the same questions, so after using my google fu skillz, this is what I found.

Generally speaking, your stomach heals along the staple line in about 6-8 weeks, but for the stomach to heal enough to completely engulf the staples it can take anywhere from 3-9 months. This is one of the reasons Protein is so important. Protein aids the healing. Diabetes slows the healing process down as well.

There is no way to know how far along you are unless you have an upper GI.

Scar tissue forms over the staple line so you can't see them anymore after it is healed. They stay in your body.

My surgeon told me that minimum healing time was 8 weeks but it varies from person to person, that is why he doesn't allow solids until week 8.