Question:
Are leaks a big problem after surgery?

I had my first appointment with my surgeon and he spent a lot of time telling us how often leaks occur an how difficult they are to detect. I haven't seen anything about a problem with leaks in any of my resurch or here on this site. Anyone know the facts about this?    — Leslie R. (posted on April 28, 2001)

April 27, 2001
In the earlier days of RNY, and sometimes still, surgeons primarily created the small pouch or "new stomach" by dividing off the stomach with sutures. As these sutures dissolved or sometimes pulled apart, leaks would develop. The "gold standard" of RNY today is complete transection or division of the pouch from the remainder of the stomach and closure with multiple rows of staples. This has reduced the risk and incidence of leaks to a rare event in most cases. Don't be hesitant to ask your surgeon about the technique he uses in his surgeries. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

April 28, 2001
Less than 1%, nationwide. My husband had a post-op leak on day 5 and had to have a new surgery. It was a scary moment, but he is doing fine and has had far fewer adjustments than I did! He was done in 1995.
   — vitalady

April 28, 2001
Not to be the only one who gives such a negative answer but I did have a leak and it did almost kill me. Sure it is only 1 to 2 percent of a chance but when it is you that is a big deal. Mine was an instrument failure problem and it was not detected with the leak test, it was detected when my lips were turning blue and I was already in toxic shock. This surgery does have its risks, just make sure that you understand that. People always think, it will never happen to me, but you know what, it does.
   — McDonna

May 6, 2001
I had a leak and it almost cost me my life. Read my story under Lara Staab. I still encourage WLS and I do not regret having it, I do regret the problems I had and the impact it had on my child. It has been 6 mo since surgery and I'm just now back to normal. It was really, really rough, the hardest time ever in my whole life but I came out of it stronger and thinner.
   — Lara S.

June 13, 2001
I found a leak a week after surgery. The swallow test (Upper GI) showed nothing and I had 3 of them! The only way I knew was that I had a tube that ran from under my stomach to the outside of me and emptied into a bulb. When I ate jello it showed up in the bulb. This was the ONLY way we knew there was a leak and this drain saved my life and prevented me from becoming very ill. The leak is taking over 4 weeks to heal. I have had to stay on IV's since May 23rd for fluids and nutrients. This has been very discouraging and I think leaks are far more common than the statistics say.
   — Lauri M.

November 15, 2002
Gastric leaks are scary. http://www.fresnobee.com/bypass/story/1393892p-1468000c.html
   — 1800Bev