No clue about always, but I had one. It was out within 24 hours.

Not at my hospital and I'm an RN. I usually only see drains in open procedures, not laparoscopic ones.

Each bariatric surgeon does his own thing. My surgeon do not use drains, but I know an other one who does.

I didn't have drains.

No drains for me.

I had one for 3 days, but I've heard my surgeon doesn't use them as part of his standard protocol anymore. Personally, i was glad to have one. Any internal bleeding, infection or leak would have been evident immediately from what the draining fluid looked like.

Thank you all for the feedback I'm getting nervous so I think I am you tubing too much. Surgery is on the 17th

I had one for 3 days and it removed a lot of fluid

I had one. No big deal.

I didn't have any, but my friends that have say it's not too bad.

Thanks for asking the question carterfamof6. I know I will have one but was curious if it was going to be a hassle, painful, etc. But from the responses you got I can tell it won't be a big deal and that helps me feel better.

Yes, thank you for asking this question, I've seen posts about drains in various places and wondered the same thing. I've told myself that it's not a deal breaker, just something I'll deal with if it happens. Interesting nonetheless.

I had one for 24 hours. The removal, while not exactly painful, was a very weird feeling, but over in seconds.