Drain Phobia

[VSGLiz 5]

I had my pre-op nutrition class yesterday, and they showed us a drain and now I'm so scared! It grosses me out! I'm having to overcome so many phobias for this surgery.I hate needles, blood, and I can't sleep when I'm not home.

Any tips, encouragement, help with this?

[skylarkx 69]

I had a drain for 4 days. It wasn't painful at all. Not even when they took it out!

[drcorvalasleeve 2]

The drain is usually placed while you're under anesthesia, so you don't feel when its being placed. When it is removed, you just have to take a deep breathe right before the dr/nurse pulls it out, and its over:) At least that is how it was with mine in past surgeries:) Wish you luck

[haleytrim 244]

Just do exactly what your doctor says. It will only be for a few days. My mom used to tell me when I was worried about something like that ," Oh, honey, I've had worse than that in my eye." Now I am pretty positive she hasn't had a drain tube in her eye, but it always made me grin.

[finediva 979]

I had a drain for 10 long days. NO BIG DEAL!!!! A small thing for such a reward. I was working myself up into a small fit when it was time for my surgeon to take it out. Asking her if I should take a deep breath, or hold my breath, etc. I even warned her i planned to say ouch. She suddenly said ok, sit up. Long story short.....she had taken the drain out, I had no idea when.....and was just smiling at ne. Didn't feel a THING!!!! You can do this girl.

[alwaysvegas 702]

Just keep in mind that the drain is there for a beneficial reason. The first time they emptied mine, it made me kinda squeamish, but then I realized that nothing about it hurt and it was there so my surgeon could monitor me. Then it didn't bother me at all.

I do agree with drcorvalasleeve to take in a deep breath when they pull out the drain tube, but it's over within 3 seconds.

They did take my blood twice a day for the 2.5 days that I was in hospital so that my surgeon could determine my Vitamin and liquid needs. The blood is taken very quickly and I was so tired as it was that I never felt it.

Now that surgery is behind me, any discomfort I felt is becoming more and more minor as I'm experiencing the incredible rewards!

Hang in there! You'll do fine!

Edited August 7, 2014 by AlwaysVegas

[BitterSweet* 835]

Request Xanax. They can give you a prescription for a few pills and you can take one the night before surgery; it can be given in the hospital as well as as a couple for after you get home. Your fears are not a big deal to us but they are very relevant and valid to you. Ask for Xanax so you can focus on what's important instead of having to focus on your phobias. Best wishes to you.

[Tamlyn 107]

I'm curious... why do some doctors do drains and others don't? Does anyone know? I didn't get one.

[BitterSweet* 835]

I don't know. What I do know is that any organ (including the skin) that is cut or severed will bleed, become inflamed, and will swell as a result. That drainage has to go somewhere and I'd definitely prefer for it to exit my body via a JP Drain than to pool and sit internally, possibly causing an infection. The color and amount of the drainage collected is very telling of the healing process or lack thereof, as well as helping to point out leaks. There must be some research out there that doesn't support the reasoning behind the drains, because you're right - not every surgeon uses them.

[VSGLiz 5]

I will try to ask for xanax, but in my experience I can never get anxiety medications. They're so stingy! My surgeon doesn't do a leak test the day after, he does it during the surgery then watches the color of the Fluid. I'm not afraid of the pain, I'm just extremely squeemish. Everything grosses me out, makes me faint or want to vomit.

[BitterSweet* 835]

You're right, they are stingy; in part because many people abuse the drugs, and also because they feel that your PCP should manage any anxiety issues you may have, not a specialist or a surgeon. When you request the Xanax, explain yourself just as you have done here, and tell them you're not looking for a prescription - that you're just asking for 4 to 5 pills to get you through the process of surgery.

[VSGLiz 5]

I will do that. Here's to hoping! I'm scared out of my mind, but I know it'll be worth it.

[Dragonfly1111 61]

I had a drain. It was painful for me. When it was pulled out, wow! That's a feeling I can't quite explain. But like the others have said, you breath in and on your breath out, they pull it. It's just a strange feeling with a little pain. If your worried about seeing it, they had mine safety pinned under the hospital gown so I didn't really see it. Maybe they could do that for you so it's not visible.