Question:
Is it important to check for leaks before discharge
I have been researching surgeons here in Atlanta and came across some good reviews for a particular Dr. Seems like his technique is a little different from most he does not check for leaks after surgery is this good or bad ? — shae7755 (posted on July 31, 2003)
July 31, 2003
BAD............I wouldn't use him!
— MARSHA D.
July 31, 2003
From what I've read, leaks can be extremely dangerous....life threatening.
I can't imagine why a Dr wouldn't check for them.
— Michelle_S
July 31, 2003
My surgeon told me that he can tell by looking at a patient if they have a
leak. He did not do a leak check on me. I was very happy not to have to
go through that. I have had not problems.
— judyc7
July 31, 2003
Hi there. I'm not sure that I get exactly what you mean. What I think you
are saying is that post-surgery, your doctor does not do a leak test.
Correct? Please let me know if I am wrong. My surgeon only does the leak
test during surgery and not after. BTW- my surgeon is a highly respected
expert. I see nothing whatsoever wrong with this. If there is any
question about leaks, it should be addressed while still in surgery. IMHO,
of course. Every surgeon has different techniques. If you are not sure
you are comfortable with his, I strongly suggest that you pointedly ask him
abut it and why he does it that way. This is not a reason to 'run away'
from your surgeon as others may imply. Just get more info and talk to him
about it. Good luck to you!
— LMCLILLY
July 31, 2003
I would prefer a surgeon who checks for leaks, by all means. They can be
deadly and it's such a simple thing to do, so why would a surgeon have any
good reason NOT to check for leaks? Some use a dye while you are still on
the OR table, some do one the next morning in x-ray. (My surgeon does an
endoscopy before you leave the OR and a leak test in x-ray the next
morning.)
— koogy
July 31, 2003
The only leak test my surgeon did was to have me eat a blue popcicle on the
second day while i had my drain in.
— Delores S.
July 31, 2003
My surgeon does 3 leak tests, 2 during surgery and one after. He says that
the reason he does the third one is so that we know that we do not have a
leak, he knows that you don't have a leak before you ever leave surgery.
My doctor has been doing WLS for 12+ years and never had a leak. So what I
am trying to say is maybe your surgeon does leak test during surgery!
— Haziefrog
July 31, 2003
As one who had a leak and almost died from the complications from the
leak.......I can tell you I would want a leak test the day after surgery
(when mine was found) I was told my doc also did the leak test during
surgery......why mine was missed at that time, I don't know. Thank God I
had another leak test the next day!! My story is on my profile. If they
had not done the leak test the day after surgery, I probably would not be
here today. My opinion, I would want one that did check for leaks. 40% of
those who have a leak die......
— DebbieJ
July 31, 2003
I would ask him if he tests for leaks while in the or. I asked my doc if he
did a leak test, and he said while your still on the table opend up. He had
the ansesteologist put in an ng tube, and squirted blue dye in my stomach
when he was done to test for a leak. That's why I had grass green pee for 2
days after *G*.He said after doing that, the only way he would subject me
to a leak test is if I started with a fever, or started presenting symptoms
like severe stomach ache. It depends on the doc when it's done. He also
said there is a lot of voo doo in medicine.I would definalty ask him, and
if he doesn't do it on the table or after surgery, I would seriously think
about finding a new doc. Good luck! 14 weeks out, down 62 lbs
— mellyhudel
July 31, 2003
My surgeon tested for a leak before I left the table. He said that the dye
is very easy to see and questions what other time is best to fix a leak
than when you are already under anesthesia on an operating room table. You
need to find out if your surgeon checks for leaks before you leave the OR.
The other advantage of that method is that you don't have to leave the OR
with a drain!
— SteveColarossi
August 1, 2003
My surgeon(s) checked for leaks BEFORE I came out of surgery to go to the
Recovery Room and 24-48 hours immediately AFTER. They have a very low
incidence of leaks.
— yourdivaness
October 7, 2003
How do they check for leaks AFTER surgery? Someone mentioned an xray but
how does that tell them if you have a gastric leak? Wouldn't an ultra-sound
be better? What other way(s) is(are) there to test?
— Marrilee M.
October 7, 2003
On the morning of my first post op day, I was taken to radiology and
swallowed gastrografin (a yukky thich liquid) and the radiologist was able
to see the outline of my new pouch and the connections and could see if
there were any leaks.
— redhead_324
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