Just had sleeve surgery on 11 15 2014

[DoggieMama 20]

Yup. That picture says it all. And it DOES feel like an alien being pulled out of you're body. You will be amazed at how much (length) of that tube is on the inside! I'd say about a foot. Not kidding. What it is draining is just blood and ooze from the surgery. When they take it out, take a big breath and hold it! (and try not to punch the nurse in the throat)

[nikki9 70]

Don't be afraid. It didn't't hurt but it is the oddest feeling that I can only relate to an alien being pulled out. I did want to punch the dr that took it out.

[Shell88 157]

OK.... lets compare this to child birth and pulling out the placenta.... anything similar? lol

[Shell88 157]

@@DoggieMama I'm at work, and I literally laughed out loud when I read not to punch the nurse in the throat...

[DoggieMama 20]

Similar to childbirth/placenta BUT-think of Sigourney Weaver in that Alien movie. And to me the drain being removed was painful. It only lasted a few seconds, but ouch.

[Summer Rain 245]

Not everyone gets a drain. Ask your surgeon if they use them.

[DoggieMama 20]

I agree. Ask your surgeon as not all of them use it. I also had a catheter for about 24 hrs and I know not all surgeons use those either. But in my case, the cath was my friend. I had a rough time for the first 36 hrs and since I had the cath I didn't have to try to get up.

[lbs away 4]

I had no catheter or drains.... They had me up walking within an hour of being back in room. Went really well and went home nxt day!

[Marine mom 3]

Oh my goodness. Thank you for the picture. I had no clue visually. Will try not to panic.

[bobbyswife 862]

@@pinkbunies HILARIOUS

[Unstoppable 15]

Drains are used to drain all the liquids that could accumulate in your body after surgery. Not everyone gets a drain. Happy I didn't. Your doctor should be able to tell you if they use them or not.

[GreenEyes604 753]

@pinkbunies OMG!!! I just read your post and I just spit Water all over the front of my computer screen. That has got to be the funniest thing I have read in a while. I was having somewhat of a crappy day, but you just made it all better!

[MyKidsMom89 70]

I didn't have a drain, nor the stockings. My hospital put these inflatable wraps on my legs that would inflate and deflate every few seconds to make sure indent get any blood clots. They were alittle annoying, but I'm sure far better than the stockings would have been. Is t it amazing how the same procedure is done in so many different ways??

[brazos2425 34]

I also have a drain and I am glad that I do. I have probably "drained" almost 300 CC of Fluid

that my body doesn't need. My Doc says it is also helpful in showing any early problems like

excessive bleeding or infection. I am 5 days out and hope the alien will emerge Friday!!

I also had a breathing contraption (can't remember it's tech name) to prevent pneumonia,

leg cuffs in the hospital and some sent home to use during my inactive periods.

[Loret321 0]

I am one month post op. I had no drainage tubes.