Everything was going great after my VSG on August 6th. I had minimal pain andI followed all the rules to a T and then two weeks later I developed a fever and felt sick so I called the surgeon. After listening to my symptoms they immediately sent me to the hospital where my leak was confirmed after a cat scan . Things only got worse from there. My lung collapsed and Fluid collected around my lungs and spleen . I has so many tubes coming out of me it was ridiculous. The chest tube was the worst. I was put on TPN and had a picc line installed. The TPN caused me to have high blood pressure and gall bladder sludge. When the stent was first installed in my esophagus it was blocking everything i swallowed in the stent because it was straight and the stomach curves so a second stent was pushed through is that would follow the curve. 20 days later I was released from the hospital. It was a hellish experience and even thought I am home I am still dealing with the nausea and pressure of the stent. Since my stomach is being held open By the stents i have constant reflux and vomiting. My face is in a plastic bag or paper towel all the time constantly spitting up saliva. It is almost impossible to ever be comfortable. I have been told I will feel so much better once these stents come out, but i am scared that i will still feel this terrible. I can't believe this happened to me! I am 23 and other than being morbidly obese . I was healthy ! I am supposed to get the stent out sometime next week.

If anyone has any advice on how to make the stent more bearable or if you have experienced the stent please share your experience as well. I feel so alone and frankly, foolish, because I thought this couldn't happen to me. I started at 257 and am now down to 218 ( I am 5'4) in a month . I am so weak and feel so hopeless

Someone please tell me, is there light at the end of the stent ? My infections seem to be healed but I feel just as miserable.

Thanks everyone , all prayers and good thoughts are so greatly appreciated! The stent is coming out this wednesday! I'm hoping all this misery I feel will be relieved .

I hope so to! Keep us posted

Stents are out ! Throat is raw from them being pulled , but all in all I feel a lot better without them. The area where the leak was is sealed but is very thin and delicate so I will be on clear liquids for a while . Doctors said that my body needs protein to heal , I will be starting on the isopure today . I have heard that it is gross , but wish me luck! I just want to be healthy again ! If anyone has a leak and needs someone to talk to about it I am 100% here for you ! It is the hardest thing I have physically been through and it is. Very emotionally Trying. Don't hesitate to message me !

You totally rock, sleevealicious...what a strong person you are! I know its the toughest thing you've been through (I can't imagine) but omg, you are THE woman! Get in that protein, girl...your body needs it a lot right now...i got some samples of Syntrax nectar that wasn't half bad, and I ordered some packets of a diet fruity protein drink that got good reviews, from bariatric choice (wonderslim I think?). They've got broths and other stuff too...check it out online, in case you can't stomach the isopure. Good luck :-) Your sleeve is gonna be the sleeve of steel soon, so just relax, heal, think positive, and you'll be rocking that sleeve with a new bod in no time

Don't worry about it you will be fine. I went through the same thin a little worst.

Ask your dr to give you medicine for nausea; I used to take it. When laying in bed try to have an almost sitting position. I also used to take Medicine for the acidity they sell it over the counter but you have to ask your dr.

Once they take them out you will feel great with no pain. If your pain is too much you have to tell the dr. I was in a lot of pain and they have to remove them after 2 weeks because they were scratching my stomach giving me ulcers.

If your sleeve dr doesn't put attention to you; you want to call the dr who put the stends.

So sorry you are going thru this. They also have eansure clear now. To get some Protien and calories in

Thanks guys ! I will check those out and keep you posted ! I love all the support around here . You guys are the best ! Oh and I totally understand that scratching feeling ! Ouch !!

I'm so sorry! I can relate a lot to you (age, birthday, surgery date). You are in my thoughts and prayers! :wub:

Thanks, purplicious! Update: Once the stents came out after almost four weeks of being in, I felt so much better other than the monster sore throat and esophagus for about a week. I am now on mushies and am doing so much better. Those stents were absolutely miserable , but they saved my life so I am glad that I had them now.

Oh, thank God! It is so good to hear from you! I'm overjoyed to know you are doing better!

wow we did have much the same ordeal only they used a claw on me verses a stent

i never knew how much a person could be hurt getting healed! are you out of the woods completely now or do you have more time to heal completely?

i was 45 days between the first surgery and release from hospital to home (22 days hospital) i still feel bloated and uncomfortable and i always feel like i have popcorn stuck in my throat (damage from the nj tube) i will bet you can relate!

I am glad that you feel much better.. i was sleeve on feb 21 then I was re- operates on march 8. After that I was hospitalized due to a lung comp. it took me 4 months but I was in the hospital for 5 weeks

I am glad that you feel much better.. i was sleeve on feb 21 then I was re- operates on march 8. After that I was hospitalized due to a lung comp. it took me 4 months but I was in the hospital for 5 weeks

wow julia! are you ok now?

Yes I am fine now thank God cuz those 4 months were hell

wow we did have much the same ordeal only they used a claw on me verses a stent

i never knew how much a person could be hurt getting healed! are you out of the woods completely now or do you have more time to heal completely?

i was 45 days between the first surgery and release from hospital to home (22 days hospital) i still feel bloated and uncomfortable and i always feel like i have popcorn stuck in my throat (damage from the nj tube) i will bet you can relate!

I know, same here! I am doing well so far! Surgeon seems to think I am okay now , just need to be extra careful not to eat anything too solid or too much since the area where the leak was is still so weak and could be reopened if I overdue it . How about you ? And what exactly is a claw and how did that work out for you ?

I can totally relate to that feeling of a scratched up throat .... Ouch! I had an ng tube too for about 24 hours and felt like I was constantly choking on it , I was gagging on it so bad the doctor just took it out because I couldn't even catch my breath in between dry heaves from it . I am sure you had it much longer and definitely feel for you!