Suddenly paranoid about leaks and staple lines.

Besides major accidents and unlikely stories of binge eating after being discharged from the hospital, what can we actually do that can harm our stomach/staple line/cause a leak?

Vomiting?

Carrying too much?

Straining?

Or is it much more difficult than this?

I know that staying on the post-op diet is a must and I've been very good with it, but I've got strange anxiety that every day things are now suddenly going to cause harm.

Such is the nature of anxiety.

Work the sleeve following the directions.

Remove your smartness. Follow the established rules.

All will be well. Do not eat a pizza.

Suddenly paranoid about leaks and staple lines.

Besides major accidents and unlikely stories of binge eating after being discharged from the hospital, what can we actually do that can harm our stomach/staple line/cause a leak?

Vomiting?

Carrying too much?

Straining?

Or is it much more difficult than this?

I know that staying on the post-op diet is a must and I've been very good with it, but I've got strange anxiety that every day things are now suddenly going to cause harm.

Such is the nature of anxiety.

So glad you posted! I am 10 days out and having the exact same anxiety. I was a little fatigued and had a little more gas and cramping than usual yesterday, and didn't sleep all night because I was sure I had a leak. I've been following my postop diet to a tee, but have been fairly active, which should be seen as a good thing. But I'm becoming incredibly paranoid over this, and just waiting for something bad to happen. What a freak!

Don't vomit if you can avoid it. That's the one I've heard. And follow your preop diet. Don't eat sticks.

OK, that last one was a joke.

Relax and follow your guidelines. Just enjoy the journey and focus on being positive!!!! I have been sooooo happy I love it!!!! Had a couple incidents but heck, no problem. My future and my outlook is happy happy happy!!!!!!!

What about coughing? It hurts so bad-- I try to hold my stomach in with a pillow, but I am most afraid of ripping or tearing.

What about coughing? It hurts so bad-- I try to hold my stomach in with a pillow, but I am most afraid of ripping or tearing.

I found that a hard pillow held tight along with light but multiple coughs worked the best. I had a little cough afterwards that I thought would kill me. Your stomach and incisions will be fine but it hurts like hell.

I think this is normal, I know I had a fear of a leak until I got to about 3 months post op. I even went so far as to drag out my liquid/soft phases an extra week because I had a fear of eating something that I thought might cause a leak. Just try and relax, make smart choices, and you will be fine. Good luck to you!!

even I am too worried about a leak...I haven't yet had my sleeve done..

Let's face it friends, we all all worried about these things, and rightly so, it is surgery. But most everyone comes out great with no leaks! Be positive, these doctors do a great job and are sleeving daily. Best wishes, you will do great!

As I understand it, things that can cause leaks that are within our control are things related to compliance such as eating the wrong kinds of food, eating too much, smoking, drinking, uncontrolled diabetes/ blood sugars that can affect healing - that sort of thing.

On a positive note...I think it's good in a way that your concerned about a leak so that we do things in our control to avoid one...vs some people who are trying to push the envelope and eat things they shouldn't. Stay positive...all will be okay!

I'm 3 weeks post-op and I've been worried about leaks too. When I was able to eat soft foods, my diet plan said things like ground beef, but I did have a very small bite or pork one day. It was very soft and I chewed and chewed and chewed it up, basically macerated the heck out of it before swallowing it. So now I'm worried that I messed things up inside. I've been very anxious.