Question for those that had the drain in when they left the hospital.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

​Hello Fellow Sleevers,

I am wondering if anyone has experienced this with their drain when they were released from the hospital (I am supposed to have the drain removed Wednesday thank goodness). I am going to wait until the doctors office opens this AM to see someone, but just wondering if anyone else with a drain has experienced this.

I was woken up at 3:30am by pressure in my stomach. I have this drain that goes from my stomach to this bulb. i drain it daily. i have to take the air out of the bulb so it can siphon out the blood from my stomach. well in the middle of the night a blood clot got stuck in the drain tube and the bulb inflated. needless to say all the blood had nowhere to go but out of my insicion. There was a small pool of blood on my bed when I woke up. I went in the bathroom and tried to drain the bulb, OMG I thought I was dying. the pressure was so intense (since the blood had nowhere to go) it had collected in my incision (and stomach). I tried to knead the drain tube (which I was advised to do) and I started screaming. I had to stop!!! I swear I have never felt a pain like that. i finally got the blood clot cleared from the bulb, but it was ridiculously painful. i took two percocet and it helped, but I feel like i need to take two more.

I called the doctor and she said "it happens". if the percocet doesnt help the pain to call then back (i talked to her at 4:10a) and put on a heating pad. I finally fell asleep and just woke up. I can feel the pressure again, but it definitely isnt as bad (yet). My drain bulb is almost full (it has never filled up like this, and its filling up quick. it only took an 1.5 hours).

i am going to call the doctor at 8a and hopefully they can see me. i feel the percocet wearing off. i can only take 2 every 4 hours. its only been an hour . I'm sitting very still and moving very minimally. Just counting the hours until 8am .

[lauri407 29]

Bless your cotton socks! This does not sound normal. When I had a breast reduction and had two jp drains in me I had some tenderness and some normal "discharge" into the bulb, but nothing like what you experienced. I would definitely try to get an appointment today. I'm so sorry for the pain you are in and will be sending positive vibes your way. I'm hoping you get some relief from the pain soon!

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

Thank you! Me too! I have never experienced anything like that!

[eyoung 47]

Thank you! Me too! I have never experienced anything like that!

Did u ever get ahold of the doc? What did they say?

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

Thank you! Me too! I have never experienced anything like that!

Did u ever get ahold of the doc? What did they say?

Thanks for asking!!! I went in first thing this morning. They said it was from the bulb over filling. It caused so much pressure on my stomach. They said the drain was ready to come out (it was draining clear enough), so they removed it. And let me say, it HURT when they pulled it out. The Dr. pulled it out quick (you know the old saying, just rip it off like a band aid). They told me some people say it feels like there is pressure when they remove it, it didn't feel like that to me. I screamed "They lied"! When he pulled it out. Haha. What a difference a drain makes. I have NO pain! All the pain I was feeling was from that drain! I have a little pain when I bend over, but nothing that bothers me. No need for the percocet. I feel 90% better. Thank goodness that is over!

[bakawaka 108]

The pain of the drain post op was the worst part of my experience. As soon as the drain was out, the pain went away. I had that stupid drain for two weeks post op.

[readyforitnow 9]

Glad you are feeling better.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I've been meaning to ask this question for nearly a month:

Why did you guys have a drain? And where was it?

I didn't have any drains at all. Just incisions and little bandages over them.

[JenBenjamin 12]

I wonder why some surgeons do drains and others don't. I also didn't have drains and from reading posts I am so glad I didn't have them

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

I asked my surgeon the same question. My surgeon said it's just based on the surgeon. My surgeon believes it helps with the recovery, less complications. At that time I would have disagreed, but at 10 months later I can understand.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

My drain was on the right side of my stomach.