Hey all! One of my biggest fears is complication from leaks. I spoke to my surgeon and he says they do a leak test before they even finish the surgery, then a swallow test before you are discharged from the hospital. Is this fairly common practice? And if so, does anyone know if the risk of leak is diminished in those patients who have the test performed during surgery? I'm just trying to wrap my head around this. I've seen some awful stories on this forum as well as some amazing results. I guess I'm just trying to find some evidence or something I can do that will help me feel like I've done everything humanly possible to mitigate the risks involved.

My surgeon went in with a scope to inspect the staple line before he closed up. They also fully submerged my sleeve in Water and put air into my stomach to look for gas escaping. Afterwards they did the leak test where you stand in front of the x-ray unit and drink. I too am concerned about leaks as I would be with any complication that can follow surgery. You're right to ask these questions and the fact that your doctor is doing a leak test before they finish means he's being thorough too.

Don't feel afraid to ask what his record on leaks is. My doctor's was less than 1%.

My doc said 5 to 7 days after surgery a leak can happen. He said u will feel different than u did after surgery u won't b able explain it it jst is. He said call office or go to emergency (same hospital u had surgery no other) tell them u had wls and call your doc he will tell them what to do (he also said that wls doc r always on call at the hospital) . Although scary I am comforted. My surgery 29th.