Just curious what a leak might feel like. Has anyone ever experienced it?

Hi, Ruth. Yes, I did. It was detected on the day after my surgery while I was still in the hospital. They were reviewing my stats and found that I had a very rapid heartbeat and elevated white blood cell count, which were apparently indicators of a leak. They confirmed it by doing an x-ray while I swallowed barium.

To be honest, I didn't "feel" anything except pain from the surgery. Perhaps it was more painful than it would have been without a leak, but I didn't have any basis for comparison.

Before surgery, I was very worried about getting a leak, but it turned out not to be a big deal. They were able to repair it quite easily as soon as it was detected, and it was a relatively short procedure. I had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days, but I it had no long-term impact. My recovery and weight loss were quite successful.

05/25/2020 08:53 PM, Recidivist said:

Hi, Ruth. Yes, I did. It was detected on the day after my surgery while I was still in the hospital. They were reviewing my stats and found that I had a very rapid heartbeat and elevated white blood cell count, which were apparently indicators of a leak. They confirmed it by doing an x-ray while I swallowed barium.

To be honest, I didn't "feel" anything except pain from the surgery. Perhaps it was more painful than it would have been without a leak, but I didn't have any basis for comparison.

Before surgery, I was very worried about getting a leak, but it turned out not to be a big deal. They were able to repair it quite easily as soon as it was detected, and it was a relatively short procedure. I had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days, but I it had no long-term impact. My recovery and weight loss were quite successful.

I have been experiencing massive shoulder pain that started last night. I do not have rapid heartbeat or abdominal pain at all. My surgery was May 20, 2020, I am thinking maybe I should call my doc and let him know. I also have no fever. I am walking 2 miles a day.

20 minutes ago, Ruth D said:

I have been experiencing massive shoulder pain that started last night. I do not have rapid heartbeat or abdominal pain at all. My surgery was May 20, 2020, I am thinking maybe I should call my doc and let him know. I also have no fever. I am walking 2 miles a day.

Shoulder pain is extremely common and is related to gas that remains in your system following surgery. It doesn't sound like you need to worry about a leak. However, if the pain is particularly intense you might want to check in with your doctor.

That's a lot of walking so early out

On 05/25/2020 at 21:53, Superman84 said:

That's a lot of walking so early out

Really? My doc told me it was ok to get the gas out. Now I am a bit worried.

On 05/25/2020 at 21:33, Recidivist said:

Shoulder pain is extremely common and is related to gas that remains in your system following surgery. It doesn't sound like you need to worry about a leak. However, if the pain is particularly intense you might want to check in with your doctor.

Thanks! I will call my doc in the morning anyway just for peace of mind.

Well you're not even a week out I was too sore to walk much except around the house maybe still had a little sore for a few weeks

4 hours ago, Ruth D said:

Really? My doc told me it was ok to get the gas out. Now I am a bit worried.

I think you should walk as much as you feel comfortable with. I wouldn't have been able to do it after six days, but the more walking the better!

I was walking that much by day 6. I didn't have shoulder pain, but I did have a bit of a scare the first time I tried a protein shake and had my heart suddenly race. I had heard rapid heartbeat was a leak symptom. But then I checked the forum and found this was likely stimulation of the vagus nerve, which connects to both the heart and stomach.

So 12 days post op of my revision from band to sleeve I woke up to a 102.9 fever. Went to ER after talking with my Dr. once I got to ER after blood work I was Being admitted and treated for Sepsis. After more testing I had a leak. I spent 6 days in the hospital had a Stent place in my stomach and the abscess removed. I’m certainly at home on day 3 with a TPN bag. Absolutely nothing by mouth and IV to keep me alive pretty much. I have a very long road to recovery.

On 5/27/2020 at 8:59 AM, ndyoung77 said:

So 12 days post op of my revision from band to sleeve I woke up to a 102.9 fever. Went to ER after talking with my Dr. once I got to ER after blood work I was Being admitted and treated for Sepsis. After more testing I had a leak. I spent 6 days in the hospital had a Stent place in my stomach and the abscess removed. I’m certainly at home on day 3 with a TPN bag. Absolutely nothing by mouth and IV to keep me alive pretty much. I have a very long road to recovery.

How are you doing now?

On 8/30/2020 at 8:14 PM, SideOfSunny said:

How are you doing now?

I’m doing better! After I finally had my stent removed and picc line removed I’ve lost about 15lbs. I‘m no longer losing weight . I’m very tired all the time but I’m alive! They keep telling me it’ll be about a year for full recovery. We shall see.

On 10/1/2020 at 8:25 PM, ndyoung77 said:

I’m doing better! After I finally had my stent removed and picc line removed I’ve lost about 15lbs. I‘m no longer losing weight . I’m very tired all the time but I’m alive! They keep telling me it’ll be about a year for full recovery. We shall see.

How are you doing now? I am having a minor leak and a pigtail drain is put.... my doctor says it might get fixed by itself as i am only getting 15 ml per day in the drain without any other symptoms. They will take a call after 3 weeks if the drain doesn't get dry.