I've seen and heard a lot but I'm not very clear on this subject. Is everyone discharged after surgery with that drainage catheter? The one that should be there from 4-6 weeks? If so how do they determine who keeps it and who gets it removed at hospital?

I was discharged without one. I have no idea how they determined I didn't need it though. I think it has to do with the amount of fluid output. It may also depend on your surgeon.

I was discharged without one. I have no idea how they determined I didn't need it though. I think it has to do with the amount of fluid output. It may also depend on your surgeon.

Hello there and thanks for sharing , I guess I will know when the moment comes. Relieved to know that if everything seems ok they will not send me home with one as a standard thing. How are you feeling? Xxx

I was discharged without one. I have no idea how they determined I didn't need it though. I think it has to do with the amount of Fluid output. It may also depend on your surgeon.

Hello there and thanks for sharing , I guess I will know when the moment comes. Relieved to know that if everything seems ok they will not send me home with one as a standard thing. How are you feeling? Xxx

I'm feeling pretty good! Just tired and a little muscle pain but nothing unbearable! Thanks for asking

I had mine removed the day I was discharged.

@@Jaymmie Hengle Mine was removed the morning I was discharged as well. But I have read where others have theirs in for an additional 5 days or so. Find out from your doctor what their standard procedure is.

I can't speak for WLS but from a previous surgery I was sent home with drains. The rule of thumb for me was drainage is 5cc's or less before the drains come out.

My doc hasn't mentioned a drain of any kind. I guess it all depends.

I have not had my surgery yet, but I did ask my doc about this last week and he said 90% of his patients get theirs removed before they are discharged. If I am in that 10%, he would get me in within 5 days to have it removed.

I had Gallbladder surgery a few years ago that ended up being open surgery and was in the hospital for 7 days with tubes coming out of every opening in my body. After surgery I had no drain which I thought was odd. When I went to have my staples removed (you are gonna love this one), as the doctor pulled out one of the staples.......WOOSH......the drainage shot out of me like Old Faithful and nearly got him right in the face!! I think he knew he messed up big time and was afraid of a lawsuit. It took several months of wound treatment 3 times a week to get it healed up since there was some infection also.

What is scary is that this was the SECOND surgery he'd done on me, both that ended up open surgerys instead of Laprascopic. He said, half kidding, that he probably wouldn't do any more surgeries on me. I wanted to tell him not to worry he wouldn't be offered the job!

In other words, drains are not always a bad thing! LOLOL

My drain was removed the morning of discharge as well.