Why do some doctors do leak test after surgery others do not?

jarabacoagirl
on 4/22/12 9:36 am

VSG on 12/17/12

I'm still debating between the two Dr. As for surgery (Dr Alvarez and Dr. Aceves) Dr Alvarez I understand no longer does a second and third leak test. Because he feels this cause the patients to throw up and irrates the healing stomach. He only does 1 leak test while you are under seems to think that is enough. While Dr Aceves doesn't think that's enough. He does 1 leak test while you are under 1 the next day and one the 3 day. Is this necessary?

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

taffycanuck
on 4/22/12 9:46 am - Saskatoon, Canada

VSG on 04/10/12

I had my sleeve with Dr. Aceves on April 10, 2012 and I wondered the same thing. WHen I asked, he said it was to be certain the patient will not experience complications from leaking, and also to ensure tha patient that there are no concerns in this regard. The 3rd leak test is very cool because it's an xray that allows you to see your new stomach, its shape and its size. I am someone who prefers seeing for myself and who feels that a person is better safe than sorry. The 3 leak tests is part of the reason I chose Dr. Aceves, even though he was a little more costly than another that I was considering. Other reasons were that he is one of very few surgeons who do additional sutures over the staple-line to guard against the risk of leaks, AND that he operates out of a hospital and does no more than 3 surgeries a day, which means he and his team don't have an opportunity to get burnt out. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone.

jarabacoagirl
on 4/22/12 9:55 am

VSG on 12/17/12

Yeah it's weird. Dr Alvarez used to do more leak test but has changed his methods. I'm trying to understand why. From my understanding both of the two Dr As have the best reviews in Mexico. Both doctors basically charge the same price also. Dr Alvarez also does the additional sutures over the stape-line. I think both docs use titanim staple and run 3 rows of staples. The only reason I was leaning toward going with Dr. Alvarez before was because it's a much easier travel for me to get there. But if the follow up leak test s are necessary I may go with Dr. Aceves.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

kimbethin
on 4/22/12 9:48 am - CA

VSG on 06/20/11

My doc only does one leak test during surgery unless you have symptoms or he sees stomach contents in your drain.

putting one foot in front of the other...

jarabacoagirl
on 4/22/12 10:08 am

VSG on 12/17/12

I'll have to find out if Dr Avarez uses a drain.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

Pooch2
on 4/22/12 10:11 am

VSG on 12/22/11

Yea my doctor did a blue liquid leak test during the surgery and according to the post surgical notes, he found two small seepage's and sealed them .... and then I peed blue green for two days. Its no wonder that my throat was irritated for a week after surgery between this tube and or the bougie tube and then intubation tube.....they pretty much shove a bunch of tubes down your throat, to do this surgery and then the trochars in your belly.......sure wish I had images of it all.....

HW: 425 SW: 337 CW: 262 GW: 217 (surgeon)

Pre-surgery loss; 88 lbs (mostly in my required 6 month insurance class)

jarabacoagirl
on 4/22/12 10:17 am

VSG on 12/17/12

Wow way to go on a awesome weight loss! Glad he caught the small leaks while you were still under. :-)

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

novascotiadawn
on 4/22/12 11:39 am - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

VSG on 06/02/08

Leak tests are not 100%...I had one and still took doctors 4 months to figure it out!!! With all the swelling it wasn't found so soon after surgery.

Hugs

Donna

Leaky sleeve survivor!!! 2008/2009 ~ 5'7"~ 42F Bougie

comeundone
on 4/22/12 12:04 pm - OH

VSG on 11/30/11

My doctor does not do one in less he thinks there is a problem ( I was nauseous and stayed an extra night and he told me he would do one if I still was vomiting the third day) I did not have a drain

HW 289 SW 242

Jamie_45
on 4/22/12 12:06 pm - CA

VSG on 01/09/12

I didn't have either Doctor, but my Doc did the test during surgery only and I had no drain post-surgery. I have no idea why they all have so many ideas regarding procedures... good luck with your decision. However, I would not choose my Doctor based on that... you need to be comfortable with him!

Why do some doctors do leak test after surgery others do not?

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Why do some doctors do leak test after surgery others do not?