Are drains necessary?

[Jesser 295]

I've noticed many doctors use drains, but there are few that do not. Of course I'm not looking forward to having a drain, but is it really a necessity to have one? I would think that having a drain would alert the doctor of any kind of infection etc. So, if I don't have one how can they tell? Just curious is all. Did any of the Dr's or nurses explain to any of you why it is (or isn't) important to have a drain? Thanks!

[MrsGina 101]

I was so glad I had the drain, I did have an infection. I also had a fever.

[JoiaRox 430]

I had no drain, nor did my doctor ever discuss it...it wasn't until I got on this forum that I heard about these things! Ew! I had a one-night stay in the hospital (planned in advance) and a speedy recovery. I'm 29 days post-op today, have been back at work for 3 weeks and am doing just fine!

[North_Chicky 29]

I've heard that some doctors will place the drain 100% of the time and other doctors will if they think it is needed. Not sure why that is. I've heard some people say they were grateful for the drain because of the quantity of gunk that came out.

[PEvette 297]

No, they are not....when I asked my doctor before surgery, he laughed and said, uh, no...

[RAAinNH 113]

<---- no drain

[KatInFL 216]

Maybe NurseGrace will see this and be able to explain the reasoning behind using or not using drains?

I didn't have drains and was glad I didn't have to deal with them.

~Kat

[Fixerupper 335]

Initially my doc said he would use a drain if necessary. I did end up with one because i had a lot of Fluid in my abdomen and I was a revision so I think they were also a little more concerned about a possible leak. The drain was not difficult to deal with. I pinned it under my clothes and went on back to work. It was out in a week but it gave me some comfort to be able to see the fluid and to know from the color that there was no infection. I have had zero complications and I lost like 20 pounds in the first two weeks I think partly because the fluid was allowed to drain out.