So I'm 3 days post op! My leak test was good! Stated drinking Water a few hrs later! My question is this....How long do we have to worry about developing a leak?!? I've read the complication stories and was wondering how long it takes for the stomach to completely heal up?!? Or are we FOREVER at risk for a leak?!? Kinda scary to think about, but to me that's reality of this while process!!!

Kim

Well, I'm 2.5 years out and I never worry about a leak anymore. Seriously, it is mostly from the first three months I think?

My doctor said the first 2 weeks we are at risk. I asked him about developing scar tissue over the staples and he said that would be good. It's our body's way of reinforcing everything like brick and mortar. .

I posited this question on one of the Facebook pages the other day and it is like talking about a leak is akin to having a black cat walk across your path. There appears to be a variety of thoughts from "always-the rest of your life" to " a year". And then there is always the one person who tells you the horror story of a sudden development of a leak 2+ years out and the veteran who uses the question as a cautionary lesson in "following your plan and never straying from it". My question was based on curiosity as it seems to me that the healing process of the body will eventually result in diminishing leak risks. My conclusion is I am going to the horses mouth and going to just ask my surgeon his opinion. (and of course do my own review of the research on the subject. )

Ultimately, I think if I was willing to have 85% of a healthy stomach removed, then worrying about a leak now is like shutting the barn after the horse gets out.

My surgeon said up to 4-6 weeks is the highest risk of a leak. I however did not inquire beyond that so can not speak to that. I was told that generally the patients they have seen come back with leaks post surgery are those that did not follow the post op diet. They actually had one patient go home and eat a Subway sandwich 1 week post surgery. Can you believe it? I bet the leak was enough to keep them away from Subway.

When I asked my Dr he said it should not be a worry after 6 weeks as long as you follow the plan. That being said there was a post on here last week about someone who developed one at 6 months. Not sure if there were other circumstances involved with hers or not.

My dr said if you don't have a leak in the first 3 days, u safe. Then I read all the horror stories on here and I'm scared to eat real food (start soft food tomorrow after 4 weeks of liquids) for fear I'll pop my staple line.

Just like all drs pre op/post op diets are different, seems like you get as many answers to this ? as you have drs out there.

My surgeon said up to 4-6 weeks is the highest risk of a leak. I however did not inquire beyond that so can not speak to that. I was told that generally the patients they have seen come back with leaks post surgery are those that did not follow the post op diet. They actually had one patient go home and eat a Subway sandwich 1 week post surgery. Can you believe it? I bet the leak was enough to keep them away from Subway.

In my nut class they told us a lady went out & had chicken fajitas 3 days after she ended up in the ICU. That's just insane!!!

I was told by my surgeon that after 6 weeks you are pretty much in the clear..however I read a recently posted blog post on this website from someone who got one at 6 months out. That was really upsetting I sure hope she has a quick recovery.

how do I KNOW if I have a leak?