Leak or staple line rupture
I think you should have another talk with your surgeon and ask him to draw you some pictures. I'm being totally serious- this is complex and you're confusing issues. You really should understand your physiology and what's happening to you- AND how they're going to deal with it.
A fistula and a staple line rupture on their own are two different things.
A staple line rupture is extremely rare. A staple line rupture is life threatening if not treated. It will cause leakage into your abdominal cavity and cause infection.
A fistula is not as rare, but still not common. A fistula is not generally life threatening and it does not 'leak' into the abdomen. A fistula generally forms from the new 'pouch' to the old 'remnant' stomach. It is something that your surgeon should be wanting to correct (surgically) as a complication. It undermines the RNY process and is undesirable.
Anyway- please re-speak with your doc and make sure you understand fully what you have going on! Could you have a fistula that formed AT a staple line rupture? I have no idea- but I betcha your surgeon does! Good luck to you.
Best,
Lisa C
From CT
I have a staple line rupture and got a fistula that will be repaired along with a revision at Mayo Hospital on 12/7. This has caused internal bleeding and has basically caused a mess in my stomach. My original was in 2001 and I lost 160 lbs. in 9 months. I have gained 60 lbs. back, am looking forward to getting the rest of my weight off and getting healthy again. Good luck to you!