Question

How long after surgery will you know whether or not you have a leak? Is it something you know right off or can you get one down the road?

Well now Kelley, Dr Clough NEVER gets leaks. He does not check for them, I was lead to believe that they only do checks with lap patients. I would think IF you had a leak,but you wont that you would feel like crap pretty darn fast and it would be obvious. Don't worry your pretty little head over these things. You are in godly hands.

Theresa, You are always on the positive!!!! You have got to be everyone's inspiration on this msg board!! As my date gets closer, these things ARE worrying me. I know things will turn out just fine.... but I can't help but to wonder things. I am going through every emotion imagionable!!! On another note. My doctor put me on a new drug for my disease. They are seeig positive results in patients like me. it is no cure but it could hault my progression where it is now. Losing weight and using this new med could give a whole new outlook on life!!! Thanks again Theresa... You are the greatest!!

They usually check for leaks during surgery now to save you agony. My doc instructed me during prep not to drink anything red. During surgery they use a blue dye called methylene blue which is not the color of anything in the body. They put this down your new stomach with a tube and check for leaks while you are still in surgery. That way they can fix them right away before you get infections, illness, etc. Also you don't have to go through the barium xray crap. At least, that was MY experience. Hope that helps.