Got sleeved the 30th, and I have an appointment on Wednesday. I'm guessing they're going to pull them out. I'm feeling so much better now and I'm kinda scared the pulling of the drain and catheter is going to have me sore again. What are your experiences with your pullouts?

I'm trying to figure out why in the world you have a catheter and why it's still in? And also, why didn't they take the drain out before you left the hospital? I was sleeved 7/01/10 and they pulled my drain before I left the hospital. I have to say, it was one of the weirdest things I've ever felt. It went down waaaaay farther than I thought it did. Not necessarily painful, but definitely weird. As far as the catheter goes, I didn't have one so I have no idea what it feels like to get one pulled. I am an RN though, and I've never had a patient tell me it hurt when I pulled their catheter.

To me it was a HUGE relief when both were removed. The nurse removed them before I left and there was no pain at all. The drain was a weird feeling because I felt it come out, but it was not painful. The tube on it was very, very, very long! LOL!!! The drain sort of tugged on me all the time so it was a relief for me when it came out. Hope this helps give you a little peace.

Hmm I wonder why you still have a catheter in?

@Nurse Ally & DJackson: My doctor is very strict and very particular on what happens before and after surgery. He's really careful, but hey I'm not complaining. If I remember correctly, I was told he hasn't had any leaks yet.

@Sarah: Oh good, that's a big relief! Thanks!

I concur Pete, no pain just weird and a relief! Love your picture, too cute.

Hi Pete. Our doc didn't do catheters but my husband and I both had a drain for an entire week after surgery... so don't worry, it's not unheard of.

Your fear of it making you more sore is unfounded - well the drain, anyway... can't speak for the catheter or your delicate parts! When the drain was pulled it didn't necessarily hurt but it felt very strange. The tube is longer than you think and what surprised me is even though the hole was in the lower right of my stomach, I felt it come from high up in the left side of my chest by my heart! So weird. But half an hour later I realized how much better i was feeling and that night I could actually sleep on my side. I didn't realize how much of my pain and discomfort was actually caused by that stupid thing. It is such a relief to get it removed!!! You will be happy

I never had a drain or a catheter.

Haha......being a male I was worried about the same EXACT thing. But my Cath was removed 3 or 4 hours after surgery. There was no pain at all. But it did take me about 6 hours to figure out how to pee again. I am 7 days out of surgery and will get my drain removed tomorrow.

The catheter was pulled from me around day 3 in hospital and it was a second of a sort of twinge sensation that's it. Now getting myself to urinate on my own was a bit of a challenge but warm compresses on my tummy and water running from the sink did the trick. My drain stayed in for about 4 or 5 days at home. At my first follow up appointment he took it out and I felt NOTHING at all, it just slipped right out. From what your saying about your surgeon I would not worry he/she seems to be competent. Best wishes.

I had a catheter and no drain. The catheter was removed the day before I left the hospital. It burned a little but was over quickly. It also burned the first couple times I went to the bathroom. Went away shorty thereafter. I am very, very surprised that you have had a catheter in for so long.