So I have had a leak for 6 months. They put in a stent and a drain and a swallow study yesterday showed the leak was WORSE!!! My doctor has decided to do a complete gastrectomy. I am terrified but it seems like I have no other option if I want a normal life back. I doubt anyone on here has had this happen but anyone who has, support would be great.

No, it was a different doc. Leaks from a TG are common. It lasted two weeks and healed on its own. I am much better now. Yes it was in the US.

My goodness you have been through a lot. You must be a really strong person to have endured this, and still sound uplifting in your comments. You are not all doom and gloom. I believe attitude will get you almost everything. Blessings to you. Praying for your healing and swift recovery.

Thanks wannabthinsoon. I won't kid you it was hell going through it but I knew that getting down about it wasn't going to make me any better. I won't kid you there were days I broke down. Even had days I thought about giving up but I have too much in my life to not get better. Right now I am the best I have been in almost 8 months so I have nothing to complain about. I am eating most types of food, albeit in small portions and very slowly. I am able to get around well. The cramping has diminished tremendously. So I have a lot to be thankful for. When I went in for the leak the first time I was so sick the doc said I should have died so every day is a blessing for me.

Edited November 15, 201510 yr by NoMoreFatGuy

@@NoMoreFatGuy well...I'm sending you a virtual ((hug)). Glad you are doing better. You are a survivor!

Any updates?

Not really. Just chugging along. I have been able to eat most food but in small increments. My weight has leveled off which is good since my doc wants me to stop losing by eating healthy. I don't have much pain anymore. I still get cramps occasionally but not too often and not as bad. My goal now is to start building back muscle since I pretty much lost it all from all my time in the hospital. I plan on starting to swim and then transition to a stationary bike and some light lifting. All and all I am doing pretty well all things considered.

If any are still following. I have stabilized at around 134 pounds lost. It fluctuated up and down a bit. I was doing fine until two weeks ago when they found a couple hernias. Going back in for surgery on them tomorrow. It will be surgery number 32 in 11 months. Hopefully the last.