Question:
How do i know if there is a leakeage of food or fluids after gastric bypass

How do i know if my surgery is leaking fluids or food or even blood from the staple lines? what are the symptoms and what should i expect?    — halahmad (posted on September 16, 2008)

September 16, 2008
While you were in the hospital, you should have had a leakage test done. You drink some chalk tasting stuff and they take pictures as you swallow, they wouldn't let you leave the hospital if there were any problems. Good Luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 16, 2008
You really need to lighten up and stop worrying. You are making yourself a wreck! Why do you expect all these bad things to happen? Don't EXPECT it! Relax...follow the rules...ENJOY this journey. You make me nervous for you, just reading all your negativity. You're gonna break something, sweetie! Try to just breathe and think all positive thoughts...Don't focus on all your little aches and pains, but rather focus on healing and eating right and taking your vits and losing weight so you will be healthy and thin and HAPPY! Your regrets are far too soon...Give yourself some time and some credit! You CAN DO THIS! It gets better and better daily. The pains diminish and before you know it, you are thin and eating real food (just healthier and smaller portions)...And life becomes normal and even boring again with not much to complain about. So take that deep breath and PLEASE relax yourself before you hurt something! You are not alone in these feelings you have...many of us go thru the fear and regrets stage because it hurts to have surgery and you miss your old life and habits and foods...but that's what this surgery is all about....CHANGE...DRASTIC change...It gets easier...
   — .Anita R.

September 16, 2008
You are definitely going to have odd little pains, probably always - these are gas pains.... They feel like pain under the ribs, or in the abdomen. Sometimes in your side.... I get them under my rib area, with it "radiating" up in to my left shoulder blade. I am taking "Pro-Biotocs." Friendly bacteria that our digestive system NEEDS to help properly digest our food and help prevent gas. Two brands I use are Digestive Advantage (sold at Wal-Mart and pharmacies) and "Max Health Oraldophilus" (sold at Luckyvitamin.com). I ALSO take anti-gas pills; Gas-X (Wal-Mart) and/or a brand available at Luckyvitamin.com called Hyland's Homeopathic GAS. It's an all natural gas/flatulence remedy. And I take Colace, it's a stool softener. I take the preceding 3 items DAILY, along with vitamins and protein. By the way, "sugar alcohols" (an ingredient found in sugar-free candies & chocolates) will cause MAJOR gas. As far as how to tell bout leakage; my surgeon told me if I have pain in my stomach or abdomen for more than 6 -8 hours, to call him or have him paged, and he will take it from there...... After your surgery, they should have had you drink some liquid, and X-rayed your stomach to check for leaks. I am glad you are coming here to ask questions from other people, we can be your support system, but you also need to ask your surgeon this question; ask HIM how to tell if there is something wrong. If you feel you are suffering from anxiety after surgery, ask your Doctor or Surgeon to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication like Xanax; seriously, it can help!
   — Gina S.

September 17, 2008
You would be very, very sick. You would know that you needed to go to the ER.
   — corky1057