1. Does any one know how long the staples remain in tact after surgery?!

2. How long does it typically take the stomach to fully heal (understanding that everyone is different)??

These are just a couple questions I didnt ask and wondered if anyone else did.

I haven't had surgery but it's in less than a month so I'm curious to see what others say. However, I still have the staples from having my gallbladder removed...so maybe the staples are permanent? I know healing takes about 8 weeks according to my surgeon.

My staples were in for 4 days and replaced with steri strips that came off within 2-3 weeks . Takes 2 months for full healing

The staples in your sleeve stay forever. Healing is going to vary, but I've heard everything from 2 to 6 months. It was about 4 months before I felt "normal" as far as sleeve sensitivity and tolerance goes.

The stomach staples are yours to keep forever.

Wow!!! I had no idea the staples were there forever. I wouldn't have changed my mind, but I guess I should have researched that before... Hahaha

Wow!!! I had no idea the staples were there forever. I wouldn't have changed my mind, but I guess I should have researched that before... Hahaha

I didn't know either until my chiropractor did an X-ray and said, "Look, there are your gallbladder staples!" and I was like Whaaaaaat? I saw them plain as day on the X-ray. Blew my mind. I've been through many airport metal detectors and X-rays since the surgery and never knew.

I've had my gallbladder removed... Staples from that too?! Hahaha

Wait 'til you fly...makes for a guaranteed pat down by your friendly TSA agent!

Although they don't set off the standard metal detector, only the "hands above your head" 360 scan...you can see them perfectly in the screen!

Ditto above, I felt like I was 100% at about 4 months. I started hitting the weights aggresively at 5 months and never had an issue.

Good luck on your journey!

I fly pretty often... That should be fun!! Hahaha

Hello! Is this the only sealing method?

The internal titanium staples sealing the stomach pouch its self are yours for life. They are not detectable by a metal detector. They used surgical glue to close my external incisions, so no stitches or staples there. The glue fell off after several weeks.

As far as "complete" healing... I think it was about 2 months before I felt totally "normal". About the time I was release from most dietary restrictions.

Edited October 9, 201411 yr by bikrchk

The staples in your tummy are made of titanium. They won't set off metal detectors. X-rays will pick them up. But no pat downs.

Hello! Is this the only sealing method?

Yes. The instrument used clamps, cuts and staples in one action. Some surgeons will also oversew with absorbable or nonabsorbable suture, and some will use a tissue glue over the staple line, but the staples are always used.

Yep, for me, permanent titanium sleeve staples, non-dissolvable internal stitches in the abdominal wall that scar over, and glue on the incisions.