how does a leak occur

[pammycakes 114]

I am worried that I may get a leak because when I sneeze I can feel it in my gut. Its a huge, spray out my mouth sneeze. Also, if you vomit alot after surgery are you a risk of a leak? I talked to my surgeon about leaks but the only thing we really covered was what would happen with a leak..... what things would cause a leak?

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I am worried that I may get a leak because when I sneeze I can feel it in my gut. Its a huge' date=' spray out my mouth sneeze. Also, if you vomit alot after surgery are you a risk of a leak? I talked to my surgeon about leaks but the only thing we really covered was what would happen with a leak..... what things would cause a leak?[/quote']

I don't think you need to worry, every leak. That I've seen posted about was due to some sort of failure. Whether surgical error, equipment failure, or the body not healing properly due to scar tissue.

I have yet to see anybody post first hand about any leaks created by stressing the sleeve. I'm sure it is possible to tear a staple line from extreme overeating, but sneezing hasn't had anything to do with any leaks I've heard of.

And just so you know quite a few of us seem to sneeze more post-op.

[Sannah 258]

Hello,

I am a leak survivor. I sneezed,coughed and vomited with my leak. The leak I had didn't get larger or anything.

Leaks don't always present with typical symptoms and they sometimes just happen. Mine presented as low dull back ache. You know your body better than anyone. If your body is talking, listen and listen closely!!!

My surgery was smooth. I followed directions to a T! I don't blame my surgeon or myself. For a while I really thought I must have been a bad person in a past life. But I am come to realize that leaks just sometimes happen.

Wishing you the best!!

Sannah

[iggychic 1,405]

Mine likely happened because of seizures after the surgery. No guarantee but that's my docs best speculation (not the surgeon who did the sleeve). Vomiting is something you want to try to avoid as it causes the same stress as the seizures I had, but many many many people vomit and don't get leaks. I had seizures over and over and over again for over 24 hours...so constant stress on the suture line. Yes avoid vomiting...that's one of the reasons the doc will push you so hard to stick to a program that eases you back into foods, because stressing the healing process with foods too early can cause vomiting, as can overeating, but honestly one sneeze or vomit isn't going to likely cause you to develop a leak.

You don't "feel" when a leak happens. You feel the side effects of the leak days later as the toxic fluids build up in your abdomen stressing your organs, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver...different issues for different leaks. But I can tell you that you DO NOT feel a leak happen. There is no instant ripping of tissue...if there was it would be such a huge failure of your stomach that you would likely be near death in an ER now...ever heard the term "gut shot"? it's a long and painful death because when you break into the stomach in a big way it destroys your body. That isn't what a leak is So don't worry. Listen to your body during the healing process, and yes try not to vomit a lot, but a sneeze won't kill you most likely

[roiansmom 4]

Hello,

I am a leak survivor. I sneezed,coughed and vomited with my leak. The leak I had didn't get larger or anything.

Leaks don't always present with typical symptoms and they sometimes just happen. Mine presented as low dull back ache. You know your body better than anyone. If your body is talking, listen and listen closely!!!

My surgery was smooth. I followed directions to a T! I don't blame my surgeon or myself. For a while I really thought I must have been a bad person in a past life. But I am come to realize that leaks just sometimes happen.

Wishing you the best!!

Sannah

Low dull ache where in your back? Thanks.

[Sannah 258]

Low is the location. It's not a typical symptom of leak. Always listen to your body!!

[Msa662 10]

Low is the location. It's not a typical symptom of leak. Always listen to your body!!

I'm like you on that aspect. Always listen to your body. Don't shrug things off when something doesn't feel right. And you are also right that having a low dull back pain is not a typical symptom of a leak. As a matter of fact it's the first I've heard of it.

[Mystie 146]

There seems to be a mythos going around that leaks are caused by being a "bad" sleeve patient. I don't buy into it. Leaks can happen to anyone, for whatever quirky reason.

[Sannah 258]

I'm like you on that aspect. Always listen to your body. Don't shrug things off when something doesn't feel right. And you are also right that having a low dull back pain is not a typical symptom of a leak. As a matter of fact it's the first I've heard of it. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

It's crazy isn't it? So many symptoms to be aware of. It's good that we can listen to our bodies right? After all we know them best!!! I can't encourage people enough to just be aware and seek help when your body is talking!!! So important!!! How's your sleeve experience going?

[Sannah 258]

There seems to be a mythos going around that leaks are caused by being a "bad" sleeve patient. I don't buy into it. Leaks can happen to anyone' date=' for whatever quirky reason.[/quote']

Oh my goodness!! Thank you for this!!

I was and am not a bad sleeve patient. I don't blame my surgeon or myself for the leak. I have come to realize that complications just happen. For a long while I thought I must have been a bad person in a past life. But really things just go wrong. No one is to blame.

[iggychic 1,405]

There seems to be a mythos going around that leaks are caused by being a "bad" sleeve patient. I don't buy into it. Leaks can happen to anyone' date=' for whatever quirky reason.[/quote']

I think we saw the post...you probably saw me rip someone a new one too LOL That was such a horrible thing to say and I also had a leak that was not caused by anything I as a patient did. Most people here who've had serious complications have not done anything to make them happen. My guess is those who make stupid mistakes that do cause problems don't share that with us back here at VSG

[ShanBan 3]

Really wish I knew symptoms of a leak. Im 5 days out so Im so worried about every little thing. Freaks me out a bit the thought of having to go under again for repair if it did happen. I had complications with anesthesia after surgery :/

[gibson_girl 108]

Shan, I'm worried about leaks too. I guess it's all part of the package. The Good Lord has brought me this far and it's just a wait and see thing. I'm going to quit reading the complications forum unless I need it, but I do have a question.

Those of you that had a leak, did you vomit the first day or 2 post op? Pure curiosity.

[Roxanne Hughes 10]

Shan' date=' I'm worried about leaks too. I guess it's all part of the package. The Good Lord has brought me this far and it's just a wait and see thing. I'm going to quit reading the complications forum unless I need it, but I do have a question.

Those of you that had a leak, did you vomit the first day or 2 post op? Pure curiosity.[/quote']

How do you fix a leak?

[Sannah 258]

How do you fix a leak?

I survived my leak. I had two metal esophageal stents. They went all the down my stomach. They were hell and no food.

I was also on several very strong antibiotics prescribed by an infectious disease dr.

A lot of time and leaks heal!!!