Drains?

[Phi Phi 4]

I've read several post about people having drains removed. Does everyone get a drain? My surgeon didn't mention it.

[2BThinAlways 17]

Some do, some don't ... I had a drain with my sleeve surgery, and as a result I think I had far less subsequent drainage from the incision than I did after my earlier gallbladder surgery that did not result in a drain.

[tasherie 35]

I had a drain and kept it for about a week. At my first post-op appointment my surgeon removed it. Its not awesome but its not that bad either. The worst part about it was having to empty the contents myself and measure how much 'stuff' was in it and what color. I healed very quickly tho, so I like to think that the drain had a big part in that. Removal was easy, felt very uncomfortable but did not hurt. Kind of like exactly what you would think a tube being pulled from your abdomen would feel like.

[NoExcuses 24]

I didn't have a drain. I'm not sure what determines who gets one and who doesn't.

[tasherie 35]

I didn't have a drain. I'm not sure what determines who gets one and who doesn't.

Im not sure either. I think it depends on the surgeon and the technique or techniques he/she prefers.

[Lissa 2,631]

I had a drain and it wasn't a big deal for me. Actually, I think mine was great in some ways because it forced me to stay close to home and rest since I had to empty it pretty often for the first couple of days. Mine felt like the drop on a roller coaster when it came out and I didn't have any big problems with the incision. Actually, I had a bigger problem with the bandaid my doctor put over the drain incision when he removed the drain than anything else.

Most doctors don't use them. Mine does, and I am find with that.

[tautry 95]

I had lots of abdominal adhesions, so things were intense during surgery. Thought he might have to do an open procedure. I had a drain due to the bruising & manipulation required. Big hassle but worth it. Came out on day 10. Yuck!

[mesaucedo 207]

I had a drain and mine stayed in for about 2 days. It didn't hurt at all coming out and never hurt while it was in. It was just there. My incision for it healed very quickly, as my others have as well. I am 3 weeks out and all my incisions are completely closed.

[Wheetsin 714]

I had a drain. It was removed the day after surgery. After seeing what came out of it, I'm glad I had it.

Had some anxiety about removal. I'd read a lot of horror stories and expected it to be very painful. I was almost disappointed. The nurse told me she was going to pull it out so I grabbed DH's hand and waited, and then I saw her tossing it on the tray. I literally felt nothing.

[Oopsseedaisy 90]

My surgeon uses drains but asked him not to, because I am allergic to plastic. He agreed in my case to omit the drain tube.

[Carly 56]

I didn't have a drain. Healed nicely, no oozing.

[Lilbluebug 0]

I had a drain, not my favorite thing, but not too bad. I didn't like emptying it and measuring the contents. I do think that it helped me heal faster. It was in for 7 days and removal felt kind of like a quick cramp and then I felt fine.

[Happy Camper 266]

I had a drain left in for two weeks and a subsequent abscess that followed the drain line down. The abscess required a second surgery and was a bit scary.

Because of my case, my surgeon told me last Friday, he now only leaves the drains in for one week AND prescribes antibiotics post surgery.

It was very fast when it came out, Lissa said it well-almost that "light feeling" you get on a roller coaster.

No regrets!

[pasquini 369]

Wow! Glad ur alright!!! My drain was in two days, and yes that remove feel so strange.

[favoredone 590]

I had a drain for 2 days as well... Felt weird coming out.. that was all.. Annoying to move around with when I was walking in the hospital..