Some how I have a big whole in my oem flex pipe and I was told that I can't get oval flex pipes and that aftermarket round flex pipes would hit the heat shield. I see that most aftermarket exhaust systems have round flex pipes so is it safe to say that it won't heat the heat shield? Anyone gotten their flex pipes replaced?

in the end what was your fix? my passenger pipe is leaking

Seems to be common problem on these as they age. Mine broke as well, passenger side first then driver. I used high temp exhaust sealant and tape as a temporary fix until my aftermarket cat back came in.
An exhaust shop could repair it but its a lot of cost and work since they are oval pipes, the shop i took mine to didnt want to touch it because it would have been basically making a full new mid system.

will visit some exhaust shops locally to see what they will say