There are potential complications with any gastric bypass surgery. Patients are educated on the risks and encouraged to make informed decisions based on the information provided. Although rare, a gastric sleeve leak is one of the more serious complications that can arise from this bariatric surgery procedure.  The first week post-op is an important period to monitor for complications because this is when they typically occur. Your bariatric surgeon should have a good aftercare plan in place to closely monitor your recovery during this time. 

Gastric Sleeve Leak Symptoms 

During gastric sleeve surgery, a new connection is created in the intestines and stomach. While it is rare, sometimes a gap will form at the connection site, creating what’s referred to as an anastomosis. When a gastric sleeve leak occurs, digestive juices and partially digested food particles can leak through an anastomosis into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to severe infection. If the infection is not treated promptly, it can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and ultimately death. Gastric sleeve leak is rare, but a life-threatening complication in bariatric surgery. 

Gastric sleeve leak symptoms vary from patient to patient and oftentimes mimic other health conditions. This is why it’s crucial to follow a comprehensive aftercare plan and keep your surgeon apprised of any concerning symptoms. Common symptoms of a gastric sleeve leak to be aware of include the following:

• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Dizziness 
• Shortness of breath
• Fever 
• Abdominal pain
• Drainage from a surgical wound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased urine output
• Left chest or shoulder pain
• Abdominal distention

A gastric sleeve leak is hard to diagnose because there is no specific medical test. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and likely order imaging tests, such as an upper GI or CT scan with contrast. The images can show if the contrast dye is leaking through the anastomosis. If physical exam and imaging scans are normal, your doctor may want to perform exploratory surgery to look for a potential leak. 

A gastric sleeve leak is commonly treated with IV antibiotics to help clear the infection. Your surgeon will need to repair the leak surgically using one of two commonly performed procedures. The first involves placing a temporary stent across the leaking area via an upper endoscopy procedure. This is done from the inside of the gastric pouch or the small intestine. The second is surgically repairing the existing leaky anastomosis or making a new anastomosis. It takes about 6 weeks for a gastric sleeve leak to heal properly.

How to Avoid Signs of a Gastric Sleeve Leak

A gastric sleeve leak is a potentially life-threatening complication of gastric bypass surgery. It’s important to have a surgeon with specialized expertise in performing this procedure. It’s also crucial to have a medical team that provides excellent aftercare to monitor for potential surgical complications. You should know the signs of a gastric sleeve leak so you can report any symptoms to your surgeon right away. 

Our surgeons at the BASS Bariatric Surgery Center have been performing bariatric surgery since 2002. They have performed more than 1,000 operations and our patients have had excellent results. Our patients have lost more weight than the national average and our complication rate is competitively low. Our surgeons’ experience, teamwork, and attention to detail have helped to ensure successful outcomes for all patients. We have Weight Loss Surgery Centers in Walnut Creek and Brentwood for your convenience. You can schedule a consultation to meet a gastric bypass surgeon today. We look forward to partnering with you to reach your weight loss goals.