Does everyone have drain tube?

Does everyone have a drain tube? I don't think I do-I had surgery last wed the 18th. My first follow up appt is next Tues and I thought I was just going to get staples removed. I feel a little silly and underinformed asking this.....

I didn't have one. I just wonder why some surgeons put one in and other's don't. Brandi

I had my surgery on Monday the 23 and ye I have a drain. It is the most uncomfortable thing.The good thing is that it will be removed on Mon. Trust me you would know if you did. Its a long tube hanging out of your stomach with a container that looks like a plastic gurnaide. I have to drain every couple hours myself. So if you have not emptied one chances are you dont have one...Ericka

Surgery was on the 18th and on the following Saturday they took it out before I went home. It was the CREEPIEST feeling to get it out! I didn't realize that the length of it goes across your entire "stomach" to your other side! It felt like a huge worm slithering inside of me. Some ppl do fine when it comes out but I could hardly breathe. Not to scare anyone but just make sure you BREATHE and think happy thoughts with it comes out!

O my I thought the same thing!~ i thought I was the only one who felt this way.... my drain was removed 2 days post op and it was the most uncomfortable feeling.... not as much painful as it was uncomfortably strange! I didnt see anyone else mention this so I thought maybe it was just me! Shannon

I had one for a week. It turns out its the personal preferences of individual surgeons. :D I sure was glad to get ridof that thing!

I had one. They took it out 10 days post-op. I am glad I had one because it drained out a lot of junk. LOL! It also made my shoulder hurt according to my surgeon because it was pressing against my diaphragm. I felt a 100% better once they removed that thing. It didn't hurt at all when he removed it.

I had surgery on Feb. 20 and had one. My surgeon doesn't always use it but did on me. They removed it 2 - 3 days post-op. I hadn't really noticed it (even though I had been up and walking****il they said they were going to pull it. It didn't bother me in or being pulled out. The scab over the site is bugging me now because it's at that itchy stage just before scabs fall off.

Got one hanging off my shirt as I write this. Wasn't happy that I had to go home with it, but it helps prevent fluid pressure build up on the wound and prevents festering. Not looking forward to gettng it our, however, after reading all your responses about how gross it is. Later, Darrin

Kelly - My surgeon takes it individually with each case. My wife had the same surgery, same surgeon last August and had a tube until the morning she was discharged. I had it 3 days ago and didn't have one. But, that being said, I know that if there are any issues, you not only get the tube, but get it for about a month to make sure everything drains well. Sooo... one of those things where not only does it vary from surgeon to surgeon, but it also varies from patient to patient. ...Nick