I have read people getting a "drain", does everyone get a "drain", if yes for how long ?

Sleeved in Kansas in April....yes to the drain. But it was yanked out prior to discharge the next day. No big deal, really.

I was expecting one, but after surgery my surgeon told me he did not have to use one on me. Thankful!

I had TWO drains from hell. Both were to drain Fluid build-up from two different areas around the new stomach. AND, I had them in for 10 days pre-op. They were both attached to "bulbs" hanging from tubes. I had to monitor the fluid they drained into the bulbs to make sure there was no blood. I emptied them both twice a day. I had trouble sleeping with them at first (roll over and they don't roll with you) but then I just taped them to my stomach.

My surgeon is a Nazi though.

I did not have a drain or a catheter. Lucky me!!!

I had surgery on 12/18 and was not given a drain

My surgery was on 12/17/15 and no drain. Never heard about a drain until now. So glad I didn't have one. Sounds very uncomfortable.

I did not have one.