I had VSG on July 1st, and upon a trip to the ER on the 5th due to EXTREME pain it was discovered I have a leak. I was taken back into surgery that night and a drain was placed, my surgeon also attempted to repair the leak with glue but it did not hold. I had a PICC placed the 6th and have been NPO since the 5th. It's really a waiting game trying to get my body to heal and my white blood cell count under control so I can go home.

This is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Is there anything us 'pre-ops' can do to prevent a leak? So glad to hear you're doing better :0)

I've never heard of actually preventing a leak but the best thing to do is follow your diet instructions, and be aware of what your body is telling you. Some pain is normal, extreme pain is not. Temp over 100.4 is bad, high heart rate (over 100 at rest) is bad.

I do not think anything can be specifically done to prevent. I followed my dietary guidons to a T and received a leak. Leaks just happen, no one is to blame.

We just have to realize and really be prepared that these complications can and do happen. They are scary to endure and down right the pits, but do your research. Don't have the sleeve if you don't have insurance to cover complications. Do everything in your power to be prepared for worst case, in the event it happens to you.

I wish I never had my leak, and never in a million years did I actually think I would have a leak and I did. It was a long and painful ordeal... Still is... The leak has really defined my sleeve experience and not in a good way.

Bless ur heart! Hope u r feeling better!

Congrats! So happy you are headed back to being "normal"! As others have said, listen to your body! If you feel something isn't right go get checked out! I "knew" I was having an issue a couple weeks after surgery but waited until the fever started (at about 3 1/2 weeks post op) to go in fear I would be laughed of with "gas pains". I know this section of VST scares pre-oppers... but remember, leak rates are 1% of surgeries done no matter where you go. For every one of us sharing our ordeal we have gone thru and continue to go thru, there are 99 other people with great recoveries and doing well. Risks are there but odds are in everyone's favor. I joke and tell people I should have played the lotto instead of getting surgery =P