Leakage
Hi, has anyone suffered weeks of being in the hospital dealing with a
leakage? If so, how did you get through it? Did you start eating before you
were completely healed? Help. Melissa
5 Responses to “Leakage”
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September 12th, 2005 at 1:54 pm
Could some one please answer my question? What would cause leakage? Could it
be a mistake on the surgeons part ?
Michelle
September 13th, 2005 at 6:12 am
I don’t think its anything on the part of the surgeon. I was the
first in a year for my surgeon. I’m not sure they know the exact
cause. I had several leaks. Here are some theories though. They
staple your stomach in an area where your stomach doesn’t stretch
easily. If too much inflamation and swelling occurs there might be
small tears at the staple sites. I had quite a bit of inflammation
and wasn’t able to pass fluid for over 4 days. I had a block from
being so swollen inside. There are quite a few incisions and stiches
there and especially if its done Laproscopically it can be hard to
see everything. I hope that helps you. I think its more a body
reaction than human error but I certainly wouldn’t let a resident
(new doctor) perform the surgery. I would look at my doctors
statistics but some of it will just be how your body reacts to the
surgery.
Complications occur at about 100 to 1. Stricture is another one where
the new hole they’ve created to your intestines closes up is another
complication which can occur later. They have to go in and put a
little ballon and blow it up to open back the hole if that happens.
It’s all part of the process. If it was easy then everyone would do
it. We have to weigh the health risks with the health benefits and
see where we stand. Get a doctor that checks for leaks and then if
it does happen your covered.
The one thing that the veterens seem to forget is that it can be
quite tramatic to suddenly be restricted to a couple different foods
and you really need to prepare for that. Its common to think “what
have I done to myself” after the surgery. At 2 months I still
struggle to keep protien and solids down. I throw up 3 to 7 times a
week. My stomach is still at 2 ounces and you really have to have a 5
very small bite attitude. Many times I eat and then don’t feel full
until its too late if I don’t restrict by bites and size. Its hard to
get used to eating a couple of bites and then being done just when
you were starting to enjoy but it is worth it. My stomach also gets
upset with certain spices and foods that never bothered me before.
Its part of the process.
Just prepare yourself for a year of changes and make sure you cut
yourself plenty of slack during the time. That way if you have
complications or have trouble eating you can adjust. The doctor told
me this would have to be a selfish year for me. He was right. Many
times I just have to stop and remember I had surgery and its O.K. not
to be super mom/super woman. I’ve had to learn to give myself a lot
of slack. My job is very challenging and so are my two boys. I’m a
single mom with virtually no help from the father.
Fortunately my Fiancee has picked up a lot of the slack without being
asked and he helps me with my feelings of guilt over not being
superwoman right now. He says that maybe God sent him to me because
I needed it right now. I believe he’s right. I don’t know how I would
have dealt with this by myself. Support is essential in this process.
It doesn’t have to be an other but you need someone who will be there
when you hit those times.
The hardest part of this surgery has been learning to depend on
others and not give myself guilt trips about it. Be prepared for not
only the physical, but the mental side of it too. Cut yourself some
slack and take this time as an opportunity to do some things for
yourself. If your not taking care of yourself you can’t take care of
others. I drink Isopure and Designer Whey protien (tastes like
koolaid) to keep my strengh up.
I realize that there are those that just jump right back into the
process like it never happened. I’m glad for those, but be prepared
for the just in case scenario. I went into this thinking that since I
was young, strong and exercised I wouldn’t have problems. I decieved
myself, prepare mentally for your new challenge. It will be worth it
but don’t live in the land of denial.
Good luck.
Day
note: I am NOT a doctor. I have a degree in Exercise Physiology and
work in a doctors office but would not qualify myself as an expert.
These are just my opinions and experiences. Please don’t take them as
Gospel.
Day
January 29th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Hello
I just got done watching a news clip on WB 56 about Gastric Bypass surgery.
This lady had her surgery about 3 years ago. After a week after the surgery
she went back to work, could this cause a leakage if you start back to early
before healing? I plan on taking about 8 weeks off of work before I go back
and even before that I have hired a babysitter to help me with the kids for
the first 3 to 4 weeks after I have the surgery. This lady was 27 years old
like me and she says it is not worth the risk of dying.
I really don’t know what to think, I do know that I know i need to have this
surgery because I am not going to lose any other way. I am having my surgery
on July 15, 2003 and I am hope I come out of this with flying colors. looking
for a bit of support.
January 30th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Hi Lynn,
I’m 5 weeks post op and doing wonderful. I had surgery on April 2nd. Lap
Rny. I am a single mother of 2 and currently unemployed. I was layed off in
November but could have easily gone back to work 2-3 weeks after surgery. I
felt completely fine. I never had a babysitter for my kids while I was
recuperating. My mom came over at dinner time and made dinner for the kids
because I couldnt even think about food at first. Other than that I was on
my own. Physically, after about 2-3 weeks post op I felt like I never had
surgery. I really don’t think 8 weeks is neccassary unless its an extremely
physical job. As far as leaking, I thought once you get out of the hosptal
your chances of leaks are slim to none. I’m almost sure you won’t need a
babysitter for 4 weeks. I wouldn’t waste your money. Thats just me though.
Remember the more you do after surgery, the better you’ll feel. My doc
said to do light house work right away. Good luck. Hope this helps!!
Karen Age: 33
Lap Rny - 4/2/03 315
5/6/03 277
January 30th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
I think it depends how old the kids are. I have a just-turned 4 year
old and a one year old. The 4 year old is no problem, can climb into
her own car seat, etc, never needs to be carried, but I can’t manage the
baby myself yet (and I’m already walking 3 miles at a time, etc, having
no problems). She just needs to be picked up too many times during the
day and in my house the kids need to be in the car twice per day to
drive the older one to preschool. If I didn’t have family around I
would definitely have had to hire someone.
Cat