So I have been looking into surgeons in Mexico and some here in the US. I have been researching for a while now and even had a full bariatric work-up (up to pre-surgery visit) before learning my insurance has an exclusion. My sis had the sleeve in the US and her surgeon had her drain tube left in for a full week (just to be extra safe, he said).

I consulted over the phone with a surgeon's staff in Texas (Dr. Stowers?) today and was told he doesn't keep a drain tube in AT ALL. I was perplexed and told the office rep that I have not heard of any surgeons not leaving it in AT THE VERY LEAST for the duration of the hospital stay. I was told that it is just a one night hospital stay...I was also told that if I have a hiatal hernia (which 90% of patients have) that, since I have insurance, the cost would be lower.

I seem to have some red flags in my head going off, so obviously I don't think he's the surgeon for me.

Has anyone here experienced this response regarding the drain tube?

I appreciate your responses.

Surgery in Florida, me and husband. No drains, 1 night following sleeving and both had the hernias. Uneventful recovery without problems! I would beware and keep talking and seeking answers from others here. Try to find FB groups in your area and ask others about different doctors in your area. Best of luck!

No drain tube either, and I had a 4 day stay in the hospital.

I had a drain 3 days! Most terrible thing ever! LOL

Two nights in the hospital - no drain.

If you can get it done without drain tube do it. The d r ain was the source of my pain for two nights and when they pulled it out I thought I was going to jump off the bed. Definitely the most painful part of the whole experience.

I was told that it is just a one night hospital stay...I was also told that if I have a hiatal hernia (which 90% of patients have) that, since I have insurance, the cost would be lower.

This strikes me as fraudulent. This line would create more of a red flag for me than the no drain tube issue. Never had one myself.

No drain for me, just a leak test 24hours post op. I had a 2 night stay. My surgeon said one night would be sufficient but he preferred two to err on the side of caution and give me more time to become accustomed to my sleeve before flying solo.

Edited January 29, 201412 yr by LuminousLife

If you can get it done without drain tube do it. The d r ain was the source of my pain for two nights and when they pulled it out I thought I was going to jump off the bed. Definitely the most painful part of the whole experience.

I know right. It hurt so bad in and they were like it's not going to hurt when we pull it out it will just feel strange. Worst pain ever... you feel your organs move and shift as they yank that thing out your body...

My VSG was done outpatient. I had the J-P drain for one week. [J-P is for Jackson-Pratt drain.] it does not hurt when removed.

Not all doctors place it, though it does serve as a conduit for any excess intraabdominal Fluid collections that may occur post-op (for any surgical procedure, not only WLS). It helps decrease infection risk or blood collections that can get walled off inside. I was more than ready for it to come out by day 5, because after all the CO2 had dissolved, my organs were more in contact with the drain tubing inside me.

The J-P is not obligatory; just surgeon preference. It's not a deal-breaker.

No drain. 1 night stay (though I could have stayed two) and I had a hiatal hernia repaired.

Re the hernia...insurance will cover hiatal hernia repair even when they won't cover wls, so a lot of the expense then can be covered by them because it is covered as hiatal hernia repair.

For me it was a moot point because my insurance paid for the wls

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful. I will definitely research.

I wonder, though, how many of these doctors "say" you have a hiatal hernia when you don't. I know that simply having insurance pay is incentive for doctors to get a ton more money. Hmm. I am definitely "afraid" of there being hidden costs that are billed to me after-the-fact.

My VSG was done outpatient. I had the J-P drain for one week. [J-P is for Jackson-Pratt drain.] it does not hurt when removed.

Im glad yours didnt hurt but mine cause contant discomfort and hurt like hell when removed. So please be acurate, didn't hurt you.

Edited January 29, 201412 yr by Tlambsleever

Hubby and I were sleeved same day in Costa Rica. No drain for either. One night stay with discharge to hotel. We both had uneventful recoveries. I believe it is up to the surgeon.

I didnt have a drain. Also had the leak test done while in surgery to double check if there was any leaks Yay no leaks. I chose to stay 2 days since my surgery was 2 hrs away from my home. My recovery was easy.

Oh wow. Thanks for the responses...and so quickly.

I really didn't realize it was so commonplace to NOT have a drain tube. Seems as if every bit of research I have done, there have been drain tubes involved. I guess it does depend on the surgeon. My sis had one for a week (and the doc said it was a precaution and 'better safe than sorry'). Her husband helped her for a week draining the tube and she said it was gross. Is it safer to have the drain? I mean, I understand the reasoning behind it but I would think that bacteria getting in it may be an issue (but I'm not a medical professional either).

Again, thanks!

Hi,

I had a drain in the hospital, and a week after I was discharged from the hospital. I was miserable. When my insurance case manager called to check on me (a few days after I had the tube removed). I told him about the pain I was in when I had the drain, and how I felt 80% better with it out. His response was "when I saw you in the hospital I was not aware you even had a drain". Oooook. I asked him to check into why some surgeons decide to have the drain and others don't. He said he would follow up for me. Personally I sure would have preferred to not have that bulb hanging from my side for a week . Congratulations on your upcoming surgery.