Drains

[bigdogluver]

Does everyone have drains after operation? I don't know what to expect after I wake up, besides pain, etc. If I'm going to have drains, how long do I keep them in? Any other info about what to expect the first week, medical wise, would be appreciated. Thanks.

[MaggieGreene]

I was sleeved 2/24/17 (Friday)in Mexico I woke up with a drain...It was slightly annoying but even took walks outside and just had the drain and pouch thingy just tucked into my pants. My drain was removed on Sunday - Its a weird feeling getting that removed!

[ghost_ryder]

I had no drain after surgery.

[dtiller1147]

I had a drain and it was removed when I went back for my 1 week follow-up. More of annoyance than anything. It does fell weird when it comes out little pain at all. This was a standard that my surgeon follows so I was told this would happen early on.

[Tamera2]

Good Morning, I had surgery Tuesday 1-24-17 and woke up with a drain and got it out Thursday night before bed. I agree stranges sensation I've ever experienced. I also walked all around and went shopping on day two. I also just secured it in my pants, Make sure it can still drain. When you have abdominal surgery you can have blood/fluid left in stomach so they put drain in to remove. Blood left can make you nauseous and can even cause vomiting which I had right after I woke up from surgery. Nurses did a good job stopping it. The pain wasn't as bad has I thought. I made sure to woke as soon has I was fully awake. I took short frequent walks. Sleep/rest walk repeat. Walking will be your best friend and on first day gas x's that desolve on your tongue are great. You'll probably get Iv fluids,Pain,nasea meds at least while your in the hospital. I went to Mexico and you stay one night in the hospital and 3 nights in a hotel wear you get nursing care 24/7. We got those for 4 days and 3 nights. Next day after surgery youll get ice chips and later that day youll get Clear liquids. Second week you should feel much better and by week 3,4 you should feel like a whole new person. Good Luck and pray everything goes well with surgery. Let us know how you doing Please.

[Tamera2]

FYI I was told about the drain before surgery and found it just annoying but not painful too.

[Lisa73me]

Drains are not a big deal, the longer you have your drain, the less it hurts when they pull it out, but the pain isn't that bad when they pull it out and it doesn't hurt at all when it's in or after it's out. At first the drainage will be bloody, then it will turn more clear to a yellow see through liquid, the more clear yellow it turns the better, that means you're healing good. Don't worry about the drain, that will be the least thing to worry about, it'll be fine...

[Donald G]

I had surgery on 1-24-17 had no drain. I had a bit of discomfort wont call it pain the first day from the surgery otherwise any pain I felt at all was only from Gas. Walking and gas x quickly got rid of that problem.

[Luna354]

I didn't have drains. I didn't even have stitches or staples. At 2 months out you can hardly see the incisions.

[Emmeraldas]

No drains here. Drains are Surgeon preferences. How ever they learned to do a procedure is what they do. My son in law had a drain and still developed a seroma (a pocket of fluid under the skin) which the drain is supposed to prevent, so everyone is a little different. Ask your surgeon whether a drain will be utilized. We both had urinary catheters for the first day. Got them out in the morning after surgery. That was a really odd sensation.

As for pain. That is subjective. MY husband had more than I did. I felt more discomfort than pain after about 24 hours. MY husband and I had surgery the same day... but I was first. It was great motivation to get out of bed and walk to his room to check on him. He does not handle being impaired in any way well.

The first week, be prepared to do a lot of sleeping. It is surgery after all. You need to rest and recover. Expect to be sipping liquids constantly. SIPPING. not gulping... lol. You should not feel hungry which is a little weird. Just aim for that 64 ounces in 24 hours and you will be fine. Your surgeon will let you know which liquids are allowable. The list varies with physician, so just follow your own doctor's plan.

That was my first week. Good luck!

[Christie13]

No drains for me. I have not really heard any complaints about them though.

[Sarcastic_Bard]

I didn't have drains. Mostly I have heard they can be annoying but not too troublesome.