We have to have a drain tube?

[KevLev12282012 25]

I had a drain tube for a couple of days. It's really nothing to be concerned about. It all depends upon the doctor. Many doctors upon completion of the staple line, put Water in your abdomen and submerge the stomach as air is blown down your esophagus to check for leaks. The tube is left there post operatively, usually in the upper incision on your right side. I also had a timed release numbing medication pump in to the muscle area near the left side inicision.

Neither hurts a bit when removed.

[MrsGina 101]

A drain tube has holes on the end to allow Fluid to drain from abdominal area, usually blood and Water drain out. They place it in the area they removed inside you with the other end out of you with a bulb on the end that has lite suction. When it's not putting out a lot they just pull it out. It's not that deep so it isn't that bad when they take it out. I've have several of them in the past.

[NurseGrace 509]

just depends on the doctor. If it hasnt been mentioned then more than likely they are not going to give you one.

[iegal 460]

No drains tubes, no IV, no cathedar, no pain pump, no morphine, no staples, no pain meds (none needed although I did have a perscription filled just in case) and no overnight stay in the hospital. Yes, everything differs according to the surgeon. Ask what your surgeon does...and then ask why. Experience, ongoing education and how each surgeon was taught to perform VSG will vary between surgeons and medical practices.

Hugs. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

[JayneD 31]

I had one while in the hospital. It was removed the morning I left.

[GraceAbounds 11]

Not a doctor but I studied this. I had a tube and glad I did. It was no big deal at all and they emptied it (there is a small bulb at the end of the tube that collects excess Fluid so it does not stay inside your body where it can cause issues) several times over the few days it was in. I had mine at the VA and would consider it a "best practice".

[Newfoundlove 95]

No drain, no catheter. Out patient surgery. No issues whatsoever. Every surgeon is different.

[Velena 122]

I had a drain, the removed it just prior to checking me out of the hospital. The nurse pulled it out, it felt strange but not painful. On the plus side, my surgeon had just stopped using caths prior to my surgery (thank goodness). Glad I avoided that. Good luck!

[busybeingme 112]

I have been told that I will have a drain. It's to help pull Fluid out of the wound, it helps to lesson the chance of infection.

[sbekch 19]

I'm getting sleeved Feb 18' date=' and lately I've seen a few comments on here about a drain tube? I've considered myself pretty informed on this surgery, but nobody at my surgeon's office has said anything about having a drain tube. That just sounds awful. Is that just a normal part of the surgery?[/quote']

My surgeon told us in his education group that he does use a drain tube but his other surgeon in the office doesn't. He said he uses a drain because he would be able to catch a leak earlier with the drain by the stuff that drains out.

So whenever I get approved, looks like I will have a drain.

[iggychic 1,405]

I didn't have a drain. I had seizures due to the blood in my abdominal cavity...that might have not happened if I had a drain. I also spent weeks in pain due to the large mass of blood. In addition, I had a leak that put me in the hospital for 22 days. I'm honestly thinking that a drain is a wonderful thing I wish I'd have had a doctor who did them. I also had outpatient surgery...great if nothing goes wrong, sheer hell if you have any issues.

[Stranger 123 28]

I had one after surgery that was fine the first three days, but days after that it became so sensitive and painful that it took my breath away when I walked. I guess everyone has very different experiences though!