What's my deal? - ThinnerTimes

april · 03-13-2006, 10:20 AM

Lately I've been freaking out evrytime I think about the idea that I have staples in my body for the rest of my life! I'm worried about ripping my staple line or whatever. How would i know if I screwed some thing up? What are the warning signs? I think I'm just being anal!!!

Dave T in SD · 03-13-2006, 10:32 AM

Hey April,
Sit and take a few deep breaths...

This is a totally normal response. I've have thought about that also.....
Missed a few nights of sleep early in my journey...

I had a nice long talk with my surgeon, he explained everything in detail. Even the stuff that I didn't think to ask and the stuff that I wanted to know.
Just remember, we have a lot of long term Post-ops on the forum here for you!!

The people on this forum had the same feelings I'm sure & I've found quite a few of thier posts being real valuable in my journey so far.
The fact you are posting your fear, shows that you are able to discuss & move on to other fears about this surgery!! LOL

LisaBoston · 03-13-2006, 10:45 AM

I can only assume that with other things that are left in your body for some time, the tissue builds up and grows around it. The critical time for staples are the first 8 weeks. Of course, if you totally expand you stomach with too much food, you would put stress on the staple line. You would have to look hard to find people that have had trouble with their staple line - which gives me comfort to know that its not common.

MiladyB · 03-13-2006, 11:59 AM

I really haven't thought much about the staples but I know my surgeon uses a bio-absorbable staple line product to decrease bleeding and leaks from staple lines. It's a product he helped develop. I know initially I could have problems with leaks but I really haven't heard of that being much of a problem down the line. Try not to think about it too much and if it still bothers you just talk to your Dr about it. I'm sure he could help set your mind at rest.

Zenomia · 03-13-2006, 01:12 PM

Now...Post op's correct me if I am wrong...but I thought "Staple lines" weren't what we would consider actual metal staples. A "staple" line is more like a seamed line similar to that in vaccum sealing plastic together. I don't think there are actual metal staples involved....at least that is my impression.... Is this wrong? From the video of the Lap surgery I watched, thanks to another thread....it looked as if a seam was formed and then it was cauterized...that is what they called the staple line. It was actually quite facinating to me!!

(I also am studying for my RN License..hehe)

And yes, staple line buttressing material was developed by R. Baker (Surgeon in MI), J. Foote, and Gore and Associates, Seamguard.

I could be wrong in this...but that was my impression. I will be asking that question as soon as I have my Surgical Consult.

This is a good questions for DYANN!!!!

eli_far77 · 03-13-2006, 03:02 PM

I was told by my doctor that I do have staples. He said they were titanium staples which remain in place and with time tissue would grow over them. The staples are really small..according to the bypass video. Lots of people have different surgeries (hip, knee replacements) where they have things replaced with metal. As far as warning signs: fever & an unusual heart rate is what I was told to look for.

Gladitsme · 03-13-2006, 03:26 PM

We got to see the titanium staples at our post op meeting, they're tiny, but look like regular staples you'd see in paper. We were also told that they staple the pouch, suture it, and then glue it shut. So, I've got lots of stuff holding my pouch shut.

Zenomia · 03-13-2006, 04:34 PM

Ok Cool...so I WAS wrong...good to know. Now I can freak out about having staples too...Here I thought, dumbly, that they didn't use those kind of staples any longer (wishful thinking?)....EEEKKKK!!!! *thumping noggin'* DOH!

IpsieDixie · 03-13-2006, 04:34 PM

I'll bet you have metal fillings in your teeth, and there's a good chance you have had braces, or that your ears are pierced and you wear earrings. Do you freak out because of those bits of metal in your body? Think of this as not being any different.

Now I could be wrong, but sometimes when we freak out about little things, it's to distract ourselves from the big worries. Maybe you need to sit down with the psychologist from your surgeon's office and try to figure out if this is the real cause of your panic, or if maybe there's some other worry that you don't want to admit yourself?

Keep us posted. Let us know how you get on.

Gladitsme · 03-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Zen, your surgeon may not use the same thing! Ask him. I'd rather have staples and a smaller body than not!