Hi....did anyone have to have a drain placed after the gastric sleeve?

I'm glad you posted this! I've been wondering too. For some reason the drain freaks me out more than anything else!

Yes it really freaks me out too that is basically all I'm worried about...

blessedx2

I woke up with one, and they took it out the day I went home. It freaked me out too, I worried a LOT about it. Turns out it wasn't such a big deal. I barely felt it when she removed it, but it LOOKED weird - like a magician pulling scarves out of their sleeves. The hardest part was trying to sit back up afterwards, because I couldn't lay down flat with any degree of comfort for like 3 weeks.

Afterwards, they just closed up the hole with steri-strips. That scared me too, since for some reason I was expecting them to have to stitch or staple me up while I was awake, but it wasn't a big deal at all.

Did the doctor tell you why you had to have the drain put in?

blessedx2

Mine does it to everyone - he said fluid can build up in there and it helps remove that. I understand some doctors leave them in a lot longer, and some don't use them at all, so I don't really know what the reasoning is

My surgeon does not use drains.

JP drains are used because cut things bleed. Whether a surgeon uses a drain or not varies, but I can assure you the bloody drainage happens whether a drain is there to collect it or not. I'd much rather have a drain to collect that Fluid instead of it just leaking into my peritoneal cavity.

The people who've had JP drains post VSG will tell you that A LOT of fluid collects in them. Risking developing an abscess from that drainage is scarier than having the drain. I've had 4 JP drains before and they didn't bother me at all; not even when they were pulled out.

Thank you @roundisashape????..... @@sarah92200 I pray mine doesn't either

Thank you for the info @@BitterSweet*

Anytime. You'll be just fine, those drains really aren't a big deal - at least that was my experience. I've also discontinued plenty of JP drains before and never had one patient put up much of a fuss. I am a nice nurse though and always pre-medicate patients for pain. Stay in touch and good luck!

Awwwww thank you and I sure will. .... did you have the gastric sleeve done? @@BitterSweet*

Nope, not yet! I've had plastic surgery (tt and breast lift) and had a JP drain in each breast and two abdominal ones after surgery.

I had one after gallbladder surgery and didn't know it was there til they took it out. No problem at all. Having 9ne again when I get sleeved 1/26. Looking forward to it.

My surgeon does not use drains.

Mine doesn't use them either.

I totally freaked out about the drain too. My Dr. used one, but took it out the next day. He said it's not only for collecting fluid, but can also show signs of a leak.

The drain definitely does NOT hurt coming out- it's just a really weird sensation, and it's over once it's out. They didn't put any stitches of glue on it, just covered it with gauze. I took the gauze off a few days later, and it's completely healed up- just a little scabbing.