So, I keep reading about people going home with a drainage tube. My doc has not mentioned this. Can someone please tell me about it? Does everyone get one? Thanks!

I believe everyone gets it. But some drs remove it before going home and others leave it in.

My doc didn't mention it either so it was a surprise when I woke up

Might be a silly question but what exactly is draining?

Wow, that would be a surprise. Hope you have a quick recovery!

It is a tube with like a suction bottle hooked to it that stays in after Yu had surgery to check for bleeding or leaks. Mine stayed in till my week post op appointment so all in all about 10 days and that's when the pain stopped and I could once again sleep on my sides

It is a Jackson Pratt drain. Very simple and easy to use. The nurse will teach u what to do with it. They leave it in until your drainage minimal. This way you body can work on healing vs having to reabsorb the drainage. I am an RN and have seen lots off people go home with them it is very simple. You just empty the grenade shape container and compress it. While compressed cap it up again. This is what creates the suction. That simple.

Not everyone gets it. My friend had the surgery last year and she didn't have a drain at all.

Your surgical team may just not mention it. I knew about it because my hb had the surgery 2yrs prior and it was discussed during my final pre-op appointment.

I had a drain post-op on the upper right side of my belly along with 5 small stapled incisions. My nurses emptied it every so often; and it was removed about 30minutes before I left the hospital. It was quick, felt weird and uncomfortable but not painful. A big bandage was placed over it, which I changed Sat and Sun. Just keep an eye on it and follow the post-op directions for aftercare.

Thanks, everyone! That was helpful.

I had surgery 12/20/12 and didn't have one!

I never had one

I had mine in for 10 days. It was such a relief as the pain totally minimized and was able to finally sleep on my sides

I had mine in for 10 days. It was such a relief as the pain totally minimized and was able to finally sleep on my sides

I never had a problem sleeping on my sides. I was afraid I would and that is the only way I can sleep!