I keep reading about people having drains put in after surgery. No one has mentioned this to me. Does everyone leave with drains and how long do they typically stay in?

Great question I was wondering the same thing...do all docs do this?

Hello,

I just had mine removed about 2 hours ago. Dr. Almanza puts drains in his patients. I had it in for almost 5 days. As much stuff it got out of me I am glad that I had it.

Bill

Dr. Aceves did as well. They removed mine the 3rd day. I didn't find it to be that big of a deal at all -- there was occasionally some discomfort with it, but nothing unmanageable.

I have one for a week. Will get it out next week. I agree with Anneartica & Bill, there is a lot of drainage. The day or so after surgery it had 50ish ml each day. I think it helps to keep the site clear. It doesn't hurt, but is kinda a nuisance. I am a bit afraid I am going to hook it and pull it out. I put the "hose" inside my pants, a tip from another on this site, and that helps. I also have read about some have had pockets of drainage at the incision area due to accumulation, and this keeps that from occurring. It is worth the inconvenience to me. Just my opinion.

I had one for 4 days, my doc (and I think they all do) stitches it in place with a small stitch. Did not hurt at all, and a lot of blood drained in those 4 days, It has to have some place to go, hence the drain. Removal didn't hurt.

Yep - had a drain for a week post-op. I too was worried about pulling it out accidently. However, after having it removed, realized that it was in a LOT further than I thought and an accidental tug wasn't pulling it out. Kind of a pain to have it, but not painful.

I am not sleeved yet, but I had this question also. I emailed the doc and he said sometimes he puts the drain in, depends on what he sees when he is in there. I think maybe some people have more blood vessels in that area than others and maybe that determines drain or no drain.

My doc says he puts a drain in about 50% of his patients, depends on if they need it...I didn't...so I'm not sure about any pain associated with it.

So I am 14 days post op. I had a drain inserted during surgery (Sat) and it was out in less than 1 week (Wed). The drain is a long tube that is inserted into you and actually snakes into your intestines I believe. The tube (thin) sticks out of your left side in between your armpit and hip. Just a little hole with a long tube about arm length with a bulb at the end. The bulb is supposed to be squished looking ( for suction) and if it is completely bulbous, then it is open and it won't work. Its purpose is to help drain the excess liquids and much that was brought on by the surgery. The doc will show you how to use it and take care of it and it mostly just a nuisance. It doesn't interfere with wearing pants and I usually put the bulb in my sweats pocket if I was walking around. A bit awkward but by far very easy to maintain and keep hidden. Seriously one of the last things to worry about.

Hope that helps!

Marci,

Another kinda weird thing is the drain is out of one of the "upper" incisions. Mine is under my right breast. They do most of the work from the lower incisions, so I thought that would be where the drain was, but it is in one of the upper openings.

Barb

Sounds like our drains are put in different spots. Mine is out my left side in its own incision separate from the laprascopic incisions. I think it is a pain but not the end of the world. It will be a milestone on Tuesday when I get rid of it. It has drained a surprising amount of blood. The blood is kinda wierd looking. Looks more like pink juice than traditional blood. But it is blood.

My doc mentioned another reason he uses the drain. He uses it as an additional leak check the first week. If anything you are drinking shows up in the drain then obviously that is not cool. I guess this makes sense. Still, will be glad when its gone.

Mine was only in for 1 day. It was taken out before I left the hospital.

I had my drain in for one week. Some days it needed to be emptied numerous times and was kinda gross but was happy that it was there to get all that out of me. I also was always nervous about pulling it out because I did not realize how long the tube was that is inside. When the doc pulled it out I was SO surprised, but I began feeling MUCH better.

Sounds like our drains are put in different spots. Mine is out my left side in its own incision separate from the laprascopic incisions. I think it is a pain but not the end of the world. It will be a milestone on Tuesday when I get rid of it. It has drained a surprising amount of blood. The blood is kinda wierd looking. Looks more like pink juice than traditional blood. But it is blood.

My doc mentioned another reason he uses the drain. He uses it as an additional leak check the first week. If anything you are drinking shows up in the drain then obviously that is not cool. I guess this makes sense. Still, will be glad when its gone.

Longhorn -

Dr. Nick uses the drain for the same reason. The Fluid coming out, lets him know what's going on inside.

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I guess I'll bring it up when I meet with my surgeon one last time on Jan 13th. Everyday it gets closer and closer!!