Question:
How long before danger of gastric leak has passed?

I am having an open RNY on 10/30/02. My surgeon does a barium test two days later to check for leaks. If there is no leak then, am I out of the woods as far as leaks go??? If not, when can I stop worrying that a leak will occur?    — Sarah S. (posted on October 14, 2002)

October 14, 2002
The risk is greatest right at surgery and decreases fast but is still around for about a month. The longer you go post op after the leak test the less likely it is. Leaks are rare to begin with happening in less than 1 to 2 % of patients. Its best to not intentionally overeat and stick to the surgeons diet plan. One member here devloped a leak and nearly died after eating beef jerky at one week out. Very poor food choice for cheating.....
   — bob-haller

October 14, 2002
My Dr told me, as I asked the same question, 2 weeks you would know. If your leaking into the body you will have severe pain and fever, this should show up quickly once your eating and drinking. The risk is rare however.
   — ZZ S.

October 14, 2002
I know that the majority of people on this website seem to think that leaks are very rare, occurring in only about 1%. My Doctor however, and his colleagues say this is a conservative estimate. He believes it's more like 5%. Sadly I can attest to that fact. I had a lap RNY on 9/6 and developed a leak. Currently I have three drain tubes in my abdomen and I feed myself daily through a picc line in my arm. In addition I have to administer antibiotics 6 times daily through the picc line. It can happen to anybody, so please don't dismiss the danger of a leak.
   — JM B.

October 15, 2002
I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I have a leak. I have to feed myself through a pic-line in my neck. I have no other tubes because they found the leak before I really ate or drank anything. My first barium test came back as a possible leak but I had no other symptoms of a leak. No neck or shoulder pain, no fever so they thought I was fine and said ok to eat and sent me home. The next day I called the office becuase I was having terrible back pain near my kidneys so I was admitted, given another barium test that came back inconclusive and then I was given a third one. This third one found the leak. I go back to the dr Friday for another barium test to see if it is healed. So I guess my advise is follow the drs orders to the "T", dont dismiss any unusal pain, and drink that barium like it is the best tasting liquid you have ever had in your life. I think that is why my first 2 tests came back hard to view because I couldnt get it down. The third one I forced myself. You will have to chug it!! Good luck with your surgery and dont worry about a leak unless you have problems after the surgery.
   — Debbie W.