Question:
Is a leakage possible?

I am almost 2 years post op and for the past day I have had pain anytime I've drank or eaten anything. Could I have a leakage this far out from surgery? What else could be going on? I've been feeling off for the past few weeks, but I've attributed that to my b12 deficiency...And all day today I've had the chills and a pretty bad stomach ache...Any ideas or suggestions?    — dreamy6501 (posted on March 26, 2007)

March 26, 2007
Hi Rebecca. I am so sorry you are in pain. That's not normal, and it's nature's way of saying something is wrong. Sometimes, it can indicate a blockage. That's what happened to me-18 months post-op. I developed INTENSE pain after eating or drinking. I am not a Doctor, but I do recommend that you call your surgeon and perhaps go to the emergency room for a cat scan to make sure it is not a hernia or blockage. Please don't wait, and let me know how things go. Best wishes, Pam
   — pjwilsen

March 26, 2007
Two years out from surgery, I don't think you can have any leakage or at least it would be highly unlikely. Although you could get a marginal ulcer which can be extremely serious and you would not want to let that go untreated. Also, I am 6+ years post-op and I have a couple of times had something stuck for too long and ended up hurting myself from throwing up and the pain continue for several days. I know it happened last year and everytime I even swallowed my own saliva it was painful. With your other symptoms, have you been vomitting? since you have the chills, do you have a fever, maybe you have the flu?
   — JGDugar

March 26, 2007
were you transected? if not the 2 sides of your stomach may be leaking its painful and can cause regain. sounds like you may have a ulcer, are you a smoker? ulcers very common in smokers. Do call your surgeon and get checked.
   — bob-haller

March 27, 2007
Hi Rebecca. Thanks for writing. You need to contact your surgeon right away and talk with them. It could be something minor, it could be an ugly flu or something simple, but your surgeon needs to know what is going on with you about this. I don't know how a b12 deficiency manifests itself, so I don't know if that is part of what you are going through, but your surgeon needs to know what is going on. Your initial fear, leakage is really not possible at your stage out, you should be completely healed up from surgery, unless your stomach was not severed. If you have a stapleline but not two stomachs, then you could have stapleline breakdown, and that could be a problem. Again, your surgeon will have to check into this. If you have a bowel obstruction, that can be VERY serious, so don't waste any time, call them and get their advice. I had a swollen abdomin yesterday and some real issues, and called them, and may have a bowel l obstruction myself. It was very painful, but eventually I was able to pass gas and stool later in the day with some milk of mag stuff. But that doesn't mean I won't have more problems today. If my bowels are obstructed, then they are gonna have to get fixed before they get stuck for good. That is serious stuff, so don't mess with it. I wish you well, but don't write another word until you get with your surgeon. Thanks. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

March 28, 2007
Just an update...I ended up in the ER on Monday and after a CAT scan and a visit from my surgeon, I ended up in surgery on Tuesday AM to fix a hernia in my small intestine...Everything went fine and I'm back home resting comfortably...Back on full foods and in a very minimal amt of pain. A word to everyone, please be aware of pain and things along those lines, if we hadnt caught this when we did my intestine could have perforated and leaked...
   — dreamy6501