Are Drain Necessary? I Need Recent Info/opinions On 2 Surgeons

[I_Sd8_em 28]

Found a 2 places I am interested in here in the US. Louisana has Dr. Thomas A. Borland which is now my 1st choice. He has some good reviews but on here they seem to be older ones. But his cash price is outstanding. Also Need info on Dr. Philip Gachassin and his partner Dr. Dennis Eschete Jr. They have a reasonable cash price good reviews but they leave a drain in for an entire WEEK?

I really want to stay in the US. But If not the Aceves or Kelly will do my procedure.

Opinions on the Drain also please.

Thanks

[Iwant2Bthatgirl 28]

For whatever it's worth, I didn't have a drain for my procedure. I don't think that my surgeon typically uses them.

[Almostthere34 128]

I think it depends on the surgeon and your needs. I was sleeved on Friday and didn't have a drain. I am still pretty bloughted. I actually gained weight after the surgery. My coworker who introduced me to Dr. E didn't have a drain either. She did go home with a pain pump, where I did not. My pain level was minimal where hers was bad.

[buffalogal 52]

What is a drain?

[karenb4729 309]

My Dr uses a drain and waits to see what's coming out of the drain before removing it. Mine was removed the day I left the hospital but other folks with my Dr have had theirs left in until their 1st pre-op appointment. I actually think a drain is a good thing because the Dr has visual confirmation of how well you are healing internally. JMHO

[ashleyxx 277]

I didnt have one, so I cant speak on that.

If hes a good surgeon and has a good price shouldnt that be all that matters, not whether you have to have a drain or not? Just saying I wouldnt base my choice on that, but thats me.

[MinaT 669]

The drain drains out excess blood and Fluid. If there is brown, green, black or coffee grounds in it, it is bad and could indicate a leak, infection etc. Normally the drain starts out red, then progresses to pink and near the end you end up with some yellow fluids - all = okay.

The drain is a very good thing. However, I feel that my drain was in a day or two too long. Eventually your body decides they want that foreign object out of you and it rebels against it. Truth is when the drain came out, my pain was cut in 1/2 and breathing opened up for me.

Another thing many patients need to ask about is the spirometer. Spirometer is one of the things that has cut down the huge issue with people getting pneumonia in the hospital. It's a little plastic machine with a breathing tube. You expel all your air and then you suck in and it measures how much air you can get into your lungs. You use it at least 7 times an hour and then try to cough once or twice. If your hospital doesn't use it, find a way to pick one up to bring with you. Your lungs with thank you.

[cookies 56]

I wouldn't let the drain be the deciding factor. Some surgeons use them; some don't. The surgeon's complication rates, number of surgeries they've performed, etc. are much more important.

My surgeon usually uses a drain (but removes it before you leave the hospital), but he didn't think I needed one, so I didn't get a drain.

[barrbdoll 287]

A drain serves multiple purposes and I am glad that I had one. I had my surgery on a Monday and my drain came on on Thursday. Wasn't a big deal, didn't hurt when it came out, etc.... I had no gas and no nausea and I personally feel that the drain had something to do with it. My surgeon agrees as well.

Good Luck!

[NancyJerry 139]

I had my surgery done here in the middle of Michigan with an EXCELLENT surgeon. I had a drain tube for a total of 8 days. IMO, people tend to advocate for what they went through, so being true to form, I have no regrets for having my drain tube. It was crazy easy to take care of and like Karen mentioned, having a visual as to how my incision was healing was very comforting.

My first days I had a brighter red-ish color and about 30cc's per day. By Day 8 the drainage was more like a light blush color and only about 10 or so cc's.

What is a drain?

The drain tube reminds me of the bulbar end of a turkey baster with a plug (like you find on inflatable toys). It collects the extra drainage and when you empty it, you unplug it and squeeze it out. Easy and clean!

[I_Sd8_em 28]

Well It is definitely not my deciding factor. It seems That 7 days is a bit long and with it runs an increased risk of infection. Safety, experience, and self pay price, and closeness to home are my deciding factors. I know what drains are for and hve seen many placed and removed them also. I just wondered. Dr Borland Doesn't use one, Dr Lavin doesn't, Gachassin and Eschete do. I also know that it is surgeon's preference based on their surgical experiences. A drain of that length makes me think they have had leaks or infections and are now using these as a result. However, it could just be they way they where trained. I'm not making accusations. I was just curious and appreciate your answers.