No Swallow Test After Surgery. Opinions/questions

[mdonaldf 84]

Hey there..

I have one more visit with my surgeon before my surgery next month. I asked her tuesday if she does the swallow test, in which she said she doesnt...she explained that she uses the drain to watch for certain fluids the 2 days after the surgery, to let her know there is a leak..she hasnt ever had a leak, knock on wood....she had stated that she didnt like to make patients go thru that nasty tasting berium swallow since we would already be tortured enough with a month on liquids.....i was just wonderign what you guys thought..im happy shes leak free, but maybe that sense of knowing would be worth the bad taste/experience.....i also dont have to do an endoscope either...so just wondering if anyone else has these same things from there surgeon...thanks in advance

[Supersweetums 1,164]

Oooo, I am not 100% sure about that one. The leak test is an excellent way to show a leak. I had it done, and yes, it is pretty nasty, but I would rather have it done and know then to take the chance. And although she has not had a leak, which is great, there is no guarantee that it cannot happen. What can she watch for in the drain that would tell her?? As for the endoscope, I did not have that done.

[WingsOfAButterfly 18]

The only reason my doctor did the barium swallow on me was because I have a hiatal hernia and have had ulcers too. I don't think they do it if you've never had problems with your stomach. And trust me, that stuff is nasty, lol.

[It's all new 453]

That would make me nervous, for sure. The barium is not that foul. Even if it were horrible, it still seems like bad reasoning. Yes, it is great that she hasn't had a leak and that is a comfort - but there is always a first. I have heard that there are docs out there skipping the leak test. One person on this forum recently had life threatening complications due to the lack of a leak test. Can you ask your doc to make an exception and do the leak test for your peace of mind?

[lstacey226 10]

I have thrown up all three times I've had it done and my stomach is swelled shut. I'm having the worst time right now.

[GeauxForIt 659]

My surgeon does one during surgery but not after. I trust him (he's done surgery on me before) and I'm okay with his way of doing things.

[Look@meitsEmily 26]

My doc doesn't do one either. They told me he shines a light in my stomach after he performs the surgery. If your doc doesn't do one, I wouldn't sweat it. They have their own way of doing things; just like the difference of pre op diets and drains.

[barbi1281 112]

My surgeon doesn't do one but he explained his process including the post op endoscopy and his method of checking for leaks. I'm confident and so far four days out I'm doing well (knock on wood :-)).

Also, he explained that most surgeons are getting away from the bc of the risk of a "false negative" and then the person later has a leak but they look for everything else bc the leak test was ok when they left the hospital.

[SusieK710 130]

If you have problems after the surgery, then insist on one!

[mdonaldf 84]

Thanks guys...i trust her.....im sure she will keep an eye on it...i know i will be looking for any symptoms for sure...

[Sleevealicious 43]

In my experience , I don't think it really matters unless you have a huge leak if you get tested right after surgery. I passed the leak test the day after my surgery fine. after the swelling went down in my stomach after two weeks the leak that had already been there, (but was swollen shut apparently) starting making me very ill and i I had to spend the next 30 days in the hospital. . My surgeon had never had a leak before me. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about the leak test right after surgery since your stomach is so swollen and your doctor has another method. Just be cautious and call your surgeon right away if you start having leak symptoms , especially a fever- that was my main symptom.

[kbaith25 38]

In my experience ' date=' I don't think it really matters unless you have a huge leak if you get tested right after surgery. I passed the leak test the day after my surgery fine. after the swelling went down in my stomach after two weeks the leak that had already been there, (but was swollen shut apparently) starting making me very ill and i I had to spend the next 30 days in the hospital. . My surgeon had never had a leak before me. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about the leak test right after surgery since your stomach is so swollen and your doctor has another method. Just be cautious and call your surgeon right away if you start having leak symptoms , especially a fever- that was my main symptom.

[/quote']

I agree , I think they should do another leaks test at around two weeks when the swelling goes away , a few hours after surgery seems pointless bc of swelling , I hope your are doing better ! I am 12 days post op and that is a constant worry of mine

[Sleevealicious 43]

I agree ' date=' I think they should do another leaks test at around two weeks when the swelling goes away , a few hours after surgery seems pointless bc of swelling , I hope your are doing better ! I am 12 days post op and that is a constant worry of mine[/quote']

Thank you! I am getting better! It was a VERY rough road though. But I am sure you will be fine! It's pretty rare. Feel free to message me if you ever have any questions or just want to talk . I totally understand your fears. I am terrified that I will get another one, though the chances aren't very high. It's a scary thing!

[kbaith25 38]

Thank you! I am getting better! It was a VERY rough road though. But I am sure you will be fine! It's pretty rare. Feel free to message me if you ever have any questions or just want to talk <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />. I totally understand your fears. I am terrified that I will get another one' date=' though the chances aren't very high. It's a scary thing![/quote']

Good I am glad your better ! I imagine it was a very difficult experience . Your right it is a very scary thing to worry about . Pre surgery I was paranoid something would happen during surgery and now I am paranoid something will happen post ... I will be glad when a lot of time passes and I can quit being such a worrier

Didn't mean to hijack the thread OP just listen to your body and if your feel like something isn't right I would go to ER and make them do a leak test if for no other reason then to give you some peace of mind Best of luck to you and to everyone else