hi, i know of one person who left he hospital with drains after having a sleeve. she claims it was normal. is it? how many people have had drains put in and sent home? i would think they do that only if they suspect a leak?

TOTALLY depends on your surgeon's practice. My drain was pulled right before my discharge.

I read that too and thought to myself, wow and that I pray that I don't have to do that. I will make sure to ask that question when my time comes.

I left the hospital with a drain and had it removed 9 days later at my doctors office. Having the drain was annoying and it was such a relief when it was removed but I think it was what my surgeon always does and probably a good thing because alot of gross stuff came out of it.

I never had any drains... I think it depends on the surgeon's technique.

I had one for 3 days. Felt great to get it out. Turns out the "crampy feeling" I had was actually the drain. There is always serous discharge when tissue is disrupted (that's the oozing you get even on a little cut or scrape on your skin) the drain allows this to come out of the body. Not entirely necessary because your body will reabsorb the fluid. Also acts as a kind of leak test and/or internal bleeding alert since the characteristics of the fluid tells the doc what's going on inside. Total surgeon's preference if he puts one in or not.