I keep reading random comments about drains coming out and catheters and I was hoping to get some clarity. I've never had any kind of surgery whatsoever. Do you get intubated (breathing tube) and for how long? where are the drains and what do they do and how long are they in? does the catheter hurt and how long does it stay in? what other tubes or bags can I expect? Having some insight into these things would go a long way in relieving some of the surgery anxiety I'm having.

Thanks everyone!

Drains and catheters are up to the surgeon's discretion. I did not have a catheter but I did have a drain that was removed on the morning of the 3rd post-op day. It was a little bag that adhered to my left side about waist-high. My surgeon uses one to monitor for excess bleeding and leaks. I woke up after surgery with it in. The nurses undid the clip at the bottom and measured the drainage every shift, it was wine-colored and there was maybe one or two tablespoons-full. It didn't hurt coming out but felt...odd. It's kind of hard to explain...sort of slithery coming out and I could feel my insides moving around a little bit. Again, it didn't hurt. Everyone who has general anesthesia gets an endotracheal tube but I was already knocked out when they put it in and they took it out when the surgery ended so I was still unconscious. I had an IV line in my arm that was inserted just before surgery and taken out on the second day. I got painkillers and antinausea drugs in it along with fluids.

This was my first surgery too and I was fine. Ask your surgeon about these things and maybe you won't worry so much.

I agree, each surgeon follows a different protocol.

I didn't have a cather or a drain. And I spent one night in the hospital.

The down side of not having the cath was that I was in the bathroom literally every hour all night long (but as long as I was up out of bed, I walked one lap around the floor.

Drains and catheters are up to the surgeon's discretion. I did not have a catheter but I did have a drain that was removed on the morning of the 3rd post-op day. It was a little bag that adhered to my left side about waist-high. My surgeon uses one to monitor for excess bleeding and leaks. I woke up after surgery with it in. The nurses undid the clip at the bottom and measured the drainage every shift, it was wine-colored and there was maybe one or two tablespoons-full. It didn't hurt coming out but felt...odd. It's kind of hard to explain...sort of slithery coming out and I could feel my insides moving around a little bit. Again, it didn't hurt. Everyone who has general anesthesia gets an endotracheal tube but I was already knocked out when they put it in and they took it out when the surgery ended so I was still unconscious. I had an IV line in my arm that was inserted just before surgery and taken out on the second day. I got painkillers and antinausea drugs in it along with fluids.

This was my first surgery too and I was fine. Ask your surgeon about these things and maybe you won't worry so much.

The breathing tub is put in and taken out while you are asleep. My Dr doesn't use a drain for the sleeve (only for RNY). The catheter goes in while you are asleep and doesn't hurt coming out, as someone else said it is odd. They took mine out the second day. Expect an IV and oxygen. Hope that helps!

I keep reading random comments about drains coming out and catheters and I was hoping to get some clarity. I've never had any kind of surgery whatsoever. Do you get intubated (breathing tube) and for how long? where are the drains and what do they do and how long are they in? does the catheter hurt and how long does it stay in? what other tubes or bags can I expect? Having some insight into these things would go a long way in relieving some of the surgery anxiety I'm having.

Thanks everyone!

I agree, each surgeon follows a different protocol.

I didn't have a cather or a drain. And I spent one night in the hospital.

The down side of not having the cath was that I was in the bathroom literally every hour all night long (but as long as I was up out of bed, I walked one lap around the floor.

Same here, but without the frequency of the bathroom trips. No cath or drain for me, thank goodness! Tube was in and out while I was asleep, I went to sleep with an oxygen mask over my face and woke up with the same. The IV was put in during pre-op and only taken out right before I was discharged (the next day).

It was my first surgery too. You should definitely ask your surgeon what he does regarding a draining tube, because each doctor is different.

Good luck!

You only have the breathing tube during surgery, it is put in and taken out why you are asleep. I did not have a cath, i think it is better because you get up and walk around when you go to the bathroom which helps you get rid of the gas from the surgery. The drain tube is put in during surgery if your doctor uses one, mine was taken out before I went home and did not feel a thing. I was like you, this was my first time for surgery and I had the same questions. It was a piece of cake, you will do fine.

I keep reading random comments about drains coming out and catheters and I was hoping to get some clarity. I've never had any kind of surgery whatsoever. Do you get intubated (breathing tube) and for how long? where are the drains and what do they do and how long are they in? does the catheter hurt and how long does it stay in? what other tubes or bags can I expect? Having some insight into these things would go a long way in relieving some of the surgery anxiety I'm having.

Thanks everyone!

I have only had one surgery, and it was quite different from this type of surgery, but while on my clinical rotation for LVN school, we got to sit in on quite a few surgeries, so I will explain what happened to them.

When you go in the room pre-op usually you will be allowed to speak to the dr. or the anesthesiologist for a moment, they should place an I.V. and may start you on I.V. fluids. Then they will wheel you into the operating room. After that the anesthesiologist will give you the night night drugs and they will make sure you are in lala land before they proceed. At that point they will intubate you and usually at that time a nurse will put in the catheter if you don't have one in already. Then they do the procedure. After when they are ready for you to wake up, they will give you either more fluids, and stop the night night drugs, or they will give you something to wake you. They will usually extubate you at this time, or in recovery. You go to recovery, where you are closely monitored by a nurse until usually an hour after surgery. If you are awake and your vitals are stable an hour to an hour and a half after surgery they will usually take you into your own room. Some doctors will remoe catheter during surgery, others will wait until you make it back to your own room. Catheters are not supposed to be painful, but they can sometimes be uncomfortable( I know they are for me). The removal of a catheter is painless. Drainage tubes are put in if the dr. thinks they are necessary(they are meant to prevent infection by allowing excess fluids or any drainage to leave the body through this sterile tube), and if put in will remain in usually for 7-10 days.They are supposed to be painless, but I've heard from patients that they are very annoying.

You should have an I.V. for your whole hospital stay to prevent dehydration, since you aren't able to drink too much after.

If you have any more questions feel free to pm me. If this is too much, I'm sorry. I'm a little odd, but it has been comforting me to think of all of the procedures I have seen and what exactly happened so there won't be any surprises.

Sorry for the novel

Sarah

I had never had surgery before and I had a catheter AND a drain for 10 days. It's not bad so don't worry about it. Pain in minimal if any at all. You'll be fine!

I keep reading random comments about drains coming out and catheters and I was hoping to get some clarity. I've never had any kind of surgery whatsoever. Do you get intubated (breathing tube) and for how long? where are the drains and what do they do and how long are they in? does the catheter hurt and how long does it stay in? what other tubes or bags can I expect? Having some insight into these things would go a long way in relieving some of the surgery anxiety I'm having.

Thanks everyone!

I agree that each surgeon is different and does their own thing.

I had a breathing tube during surgery and a catheter. They took my catheter out about 4 hours after my surgery and I was able to go on my own. I did NOT have a drain.

Kelly

Ask your surgeon. I was freaked out about all of the above also. But, I didn't have a drain OR catheter!

good luck

So when you have the sleeve it is only an overnight surgery? I had a lap band that eroded and caused too much damage and infection. A 3 week hospital stay and over 100 stitches to repair hole in my stomach. Very traumatic...Can't ever get a band again, I'm up to 200 lbs and probably will climb more if I continue on this path. I miss my band so much, its been over 2 years and I think its time to look into the next step. Very confused and scared as the erosion was a life and death situation, but I know where I was and where I am and I hate myself. Just want the thin, healthy and hot me again.