Drains or no drains?

[laffypatty 47]

I don't understand how a leak test can be performed without the drain. I thought that was the whole purpose of it.

[sbarbiegirl 109]

My surgeon did 2 leak test during surgery. I did not have one afterwards.

[ItsMe2033 143]

I don't understand how a leak test can be performed without the drain. I thought that was the whole purpose of it.

The leak test is performed using a fluoroscope, which is a real time x-ray machine. You swallow a barium solution, and they look at your sleeve using the fluoroscope to see if any of the Fluid ends up outside your sleeve, in which case there would be a leak.

The purpose of the drain is not to drain any leakage from the sleeve. Instead, its purpose is to drain Fluid that "weeps" our of the edges of the incisions that were made during surgery. Your body will resorb this fluid on its own, but it can take a few days. There are some types of surgeries where surgeons will always use a drain, and some types of surgeries where surgeons will never use a drain. VSG must fall in between those two extremes because some surgeons use them and some do not use them for this surgery.

[Tbird49 66]

No drain here

[laffypatty 47]

The leak test is performed using a fluoroscope' date=' which is a real time x-ray machine. You swallow a barium solution, and they look at your sleeve using the fluoroscope to see if any of the Fluid ends up outside your sleeve, in which case there would be a leak. The purpose of the drain is not to drain any leakage from the sleeve. Instead, its purpose is to drain Fluid that "weeps" our of the edges of the incisions that were made during surgery. Your body will resorb this fluid on its own, but it can take a few days. There are some types of surgeries where surgeons will always use a drain, and some types of surgeries where surgeons will never use a drain. VSG must fall in between those two extremes because some surgeons use them and some do not use them for this surgery.[/quote']

Well it looks like we'll both learn something here today! For my leak test, I had to drink a dark blue liquid. The nurses checked my drain for any blue and determined I had no leak. I do realize, too, that the drain is used to collect drainage from surgical site.

[raven123 97]

I had a drain. I think it contributed to my excellent experience. No pain, little discomfort. I'm on day 9 and still feel well.

[LBD 121]

I have a drain that will be removed before I leave the hospital on Thursday.

[Melting in Az 22]

No drain here either.

[Fit2btied 122]

I had a drain and it was pulled before I left to go home. No biggie but very uncomfortable when the final tubing came out.

[dustin551 84]

Believe it or not, the drain being pulled before I went home was the worst part for me. They didn't warn me it would hurt when they pulled it out. They just said "take a deep breath". It took about three seconds, but damn. Ow.

[LoryLosesXS 154]

Curious how many of your drs did drains with the surgery...

No drains thank goodness. :-)

[LBD 121]

I had a drain and it was pulled before I left to go home. No biggie but very uncomfortable when the final tubing came out.

Had mine out this morning and it felt like a snake was being pulled out of my body... Yes uncomfortable and strange feeling! So glad to be home.

[back2barb78 890]

I had a drain for 3 days and was glad for it! It let me know that everything was ok. I liked seeing that the Fluid was nice and clear for 3 days. When I went to get it out even though it was uncomfortable, I didn't want it out! Dr told me I was the first person to ever say that. When he took it out, he did it very slowly and I took deep breaths the whole time. The last bit that came out did burn and was an uncomfortable feeling, but nothing you can't deal with! We are stronger than we know!