It's 2:59 am, awoken by a burning sensation of my esophagus and stomach pain; my mind goes to ”leak!”

I am 5 days out. My incisions look great. I have no fevers, and my appetite is good. I also have had no trouble drinking 64 oz of liquids. I don't want to become dehydrated so I made it my mission to improve every day by keeping myself aware through a journal. I monitor my medication, sleeping patterns, exercise, body temp, and liquid intake. It's been rather easy. I should be grateful.

I was expecting everything to be much worse, I think this where my leak fears comes to play. I find myself dwelling on every minor discomfort, involuntary muscle movements, tingle, itch, and heartbeat as an indicator of a possible leak. I find myself googling for symptoms, causes of a leak at night; debating whether I should contact my surgeon. Fearing.

I would know if I had a leak right? Do surgeons run a test after the surgery?

Any of you dealt with this leak fear? If so, how did you manage it?

Edited May 5, 20188 yr by Beachaqua

And I hope it is only GERD Monster giving you a wake-up call. Although as a bono fide pre surgical suffer it's something truly I WOULD wish on my worst enemy! ❤ and a burp from your Bari-Bud Frust8.?

So, I'm sure all of this googling has shown that leaks are rare. From what I've read, you would know if you had a leak, no doubt. And as far as I know, all surgeons test for leaks, either in the Or with air, blue dye, or a swallow test later on.

Congrats on your surgery, sounds like you're doing well. Except for the Gerd. Are you taking an acid reducer?

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25 minutes ago, GassyGurl said:

So, I'm sure all of this googling has shown that leaks are rare. From what I've read, you would know if you had a leak, no doubt. And as far as I know, all surgeons test for leaks, either in the Or with air, blue dye, or a swallow test later on.

Just a quick note to say that my surgeon doesnt test for leaks. And some point he decided it wasn't worth it: rare, easily dxd, etc.

Apple203 -----your surgeon has the courage of his convictions?

You’d know if you had a leak - excruciating pain in the left shoulder and struggling to breathe. I had a leak. However, if in doubt then you should always contact your surgeon. That’s what I did and he told me to get down to the ER where he met me and operated straight away.

Just a quick note to say that my surgeon doesnt test for leaks. And some point he decided it wasn't worth it: rare, easily dxd, etc.

Mine does not test either. He does do an END during the procedure but that may be normal, I really don’t know.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
Starting BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
Starting Weight: 241
Surgery Weight: 229
Current Weight: 213 (17 days post op)
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

How are you feeling now?

I feel great! No problems. It was very bad for about 3 months - had a total of 6 surgeries - but now no problems at all. Down 75 lbs.