My Dad is supportive, but very nervous about, my decision to be sleeved....I've been able to answer most of his questions, but this one I didn't know the answer to....will also ask my surgeon, but wondered if y'all had any insight?

"I wonder if the permanent location of the titanium stomach staples might become places where infection could be more difficult to remove or where to body might be more likely to encapsulate an infection"

Any info would be appreciated!

A knee-jerk response to that would be - the staples form a total seal on the stomach. If it didn't, stomach acid would leak into the body cavity, causing the infamous 'leak' and all the deadly side effects this entails. Consequently, I would have thought that as it is not a porous seal, with the skin forming a natural seal over it and after time; if an infection within the stomach occurred, it would be like any other infection of that part of the anatomy. Could any infection be exacerbated by the fact there's an 'unnatural' seal there? I reckon for sure, in the first 6 months, but after that the risk would be greatly diminished.

So, after the brain-splat, with no scientific back-up on this point, my answer would be 'yes, it could be exacerbated whilst the stomach is still in its healing phase. No, with regards to infections being 'difficult to remove' after the healing phase and no, to it encapsulating an infection because of the seal being 'Water tight' and the stomach healing over it after time anyhow.'

Clear as mud!

I thought I read on this forum that if an infection did occur that was not treatable with antibiotics that some have gone back in to have the RNY which fixes the problem.

It is possible to get an infection around the staples as would result in a leak...In my case the tissue died where a staple was placed and I developed a stricture and became septic....

This is very uncommon after the first few months as your body heals and forms scar tissue around the staples..They become embedded in the scar and therefore form even a stronger line of strength protection.

Leaks cannot be fixed with antibiotics...it is an aid but they have to drain it, repair it and let it heal.....there are several ways that they can repair it but I am not going into that right now...

The chance of any leak in WLS is small and to have a lot of complications due to it are rare as well....most people do not experience any difficulties...

Just follow your teams advice on how to work your new sleeve and it most likely will not develop complications!

A knee-jerk response to that would be - the staples form a total seal on the stomach. If it didn't, stomach acid would leak into the body cavity, causing the infamous 'leak' and all the deadly side effects this entails. Consequently, I would have thought that as it is not a porous seal, with the skin forming a natural seal over it and after time; if an infection within the stomach occurred, it would be like any other infection of that part of the anatomy. Could any infection be exacerbated by the fact there's an 'unnatural' seal there? I reckon for sure, in the first 6 months, but after that the risk would be greatly diminished.

So, after the brain-splat, with no scientific back-up on this point, my answer would be 'yes, it could be exacerbated whilst the stomach is still in its healing phase. No, with regards to infections being 'difficult to remove' after the healing phase and no, to it encapsulating an infection because of the seal being 'Water tight' and the stomach healing over it after time anyhow.'

Clear as mud!

Wonderful to see you again love!!!!!!!!!!

A knee-jerk response to that would be - the staples form a total seal on the stomach. If it didn't, stomach acid would leak into the body cavity, causing the infamous 'leak' and all the deadly side effects this entails. Consequently, I would have thought that as it is not a porous seal, with the skin forming a natural seal over it and after time; if an infection within the stomach occurred, it would be like any other infection of that part of the anatomy. Could any infection be exacerbated by the fact there's an 'unnatural' seal there? I reckon for sure, in the first 6 months, but after that the risk would be greatly diminished.

So, after the brain-splat, with no scientific back-up on this point, my answer would be 'yes, it could be exacerbated whilst the stomach is still in its healing phase. No, with regards to infections being 'difficult to remove' after the healing phase and no, to it encapsulating an infection because of the seal being 'Water tight' and the stomach healing over it after time anyhow.'

Clear as mud!

Wonderful to see you again love!!!!!!!!!!

Aww, thanks, RJ. Lovely to see you, too! xxx