Question:
how common is leakage with RNY?

have done some reading on it but would like to hear from a real person about it. also i saw that a member died because of leakage.    — Rebecca73 (posted on October 12, 2004)

October 11, 2004
Rebecca, I do not have any numbers for this type of complication. It does happen, but the docs do several leak tests, one while you are still on the table and one a couple days later with a barium swallow. However, it has been known to happen, that a leak will not present itself until the patient is home. You need to ask the surgeon you are interested in using what his numbers are: how many surgeries has he done, of those, how many had leaks, or other complications, how many died, etc. His personal stats are all you should be concerned with, national stats are pretty useless. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

October 12, 2004
Acceptable leak rate is under 1% to 2%. All surgeons do a leak test on the table and most a barimum swalloqw the next day before allowing anything by mouth. Heres a list of all complications on barb thompsons website. Her book is awesome and covers stuff like this.<P> http://www.wlscenter.com/ResearchArticles/RisksOfSurgery.htm
   — bob-haller

October 12, 2004
hi there i developed a leak about 1 week postop i had 3 surgerys and could not eat or drink for 5 months the surgerys didnt fix the leak my body finally healed its self this was a nightmare feel free to read my profile or email me hope this helped out BRYAN
   — bryan

October 12, 2004
My husband had one 9 yrs ago that required a 2nd surgery. They didn't know as much about them then as they do today. Our doc did a study on them, which was presented to the ASBS in 2000, I think. My husband stands out because his didn't who up until Day 5. I know he'd be happy to talk to you about it. He has his friends who he refers to as his "leak buddies", because survival was not well assured back in 1995. Today, with an experienced doc, it is usually spotted immediately and steps are taken. Of the two of us, I was the higher risk, BTW. His name is Don and he's [email protected].
   — vitalady