Question:
What kind of test determines if you have a leak?

I have been in a slump lately. I drink ALL my water and then some. I get ALL my protein in. I walk a mile about 3 times a week. I have even joined Curves for Women and have been doing a 30 minute workout 6 days a week for the past 2 weeks and I STILL CANNOT BREAK THIS PLATEAU!! I lost 82 pounds in almost 6 months (Jan 4th) and have not been able to budge the scale since. I started to get heartburn during the night on occasion and have been able to eat much more than I think I should for about 3 months now. I find that I have to look to my old enemy, Willpower. This is really hard. I mentioned to my surgeon that I fear that I may have a leak...I shouldnt have heartburn with an RNY. He said that as long as I wasn't gaining, he isnt worried. Well...I am still not convinced. 2 months is a long time to go without losing, especially since I am trying extra hard to do what I am supposed to do. My question is...what is the test that I would need to check for a leak AND can I ask my PCP to prescribe this test? Who reads the results? Would the technician providing the test know what to look for? I am pretty sure that my PCP would send me for it if I asked.    — barbpatter (posted on March 7, 2002)

March 7, 2002
hi.... to test for a leak they will either go with a barium swallow or they will give you the dye to drink that tastes vile.. but surely if you had a leak you would be getting extremly sick with symtoms that wouldnt be easily missed.... why would a leak slow the weight loss down?????. i cant see how it would but if you had a leak wouldnt it show up in bloodtests as a form of bodily poison?? ill keep a eye on the replies out of interest... i hope you find a answer ...
   — Rachel F.

March 7, 2002
You mean a staple line disruption? (SLD) Some docs use upper GI swallow, mine prefers to do endoscopy (my preference, also. The weight loss stop, the acid, those make me nervous & remind me of mine. Probably your surgeon would order the test, since he will have to deal with it. My surgeon was not on my ins when my SLD, so my PCP kindly ordered the test. I was armed with my op report, sketch of my surgery and the whole thing, since I had to go "outside the family" for my scope. I was pretty sure it was SLD, so he simply confirmed it.
   — vitalady