posters! what does a drain feel like?

I'm a week away from having surgery, and as much as I read peoples profiles and posts on message boards, I just literally woke up to the fact that I'm going to have this drain tube in me. What's it like? Does it hurt? Is it uncomfortabe? Can you feel it coming out? The anticipation is increasing. I think I'm over my nausea now, but I'm still having these weird thoughts about whats going to happen to me over time. I can't fathom looking and feeling a different way, but I believe that the surgery is worth just feeling better for. Anyway, thanks to all that posted on my last post.

All of these questions and weird thoughts are common. Your not doing anything we (those other early Nov people) have not gone through. I didn't have a drain but believe me you wouldn't be so distressed over it after. Removal I have heard is a strange feeling. Try to focus on getting ready, and not on how its going to feel. Worry gets you no where and is wasted energy. You will do fine.

For me I could not feel that I even had a drain in... when they removed it on Sunday it felt like a little gas bubble moving across my belly... I was terrified as well, and said "that's it" when she was done.... It really wasn't a big deal... You will do fine.... Shawn M.

Hi, I had my surgery on 11/14 and had a drain until I left the hospital on 11/16. I did not feel the drain at all and sorta forgot it was even there until they came to empty the little bottle a couple times a day. It did not hurt coming out although I have to say it was a pretty peculiar feeling as it came out. But not painful at all. You'll do fine....the drain is the least of it!! Best wishes! Melinda

Hi Mandy the surgery is definitely worth feeling better for I didnt feel my drain either, I had to carry it around with me when I went for walks (one day in a pillowcase - so I didnt scare the outpatients in radiology ) I had a shower with it in on a couple of days and it was held in place with a stitch I washed it and wiped around it (it gets a bit grotty) and didnt feel it at all. The nurse told me that some people do experience the removal of the drain as pain and some people dont feel it all. For me it felt like my whole insides were being pulled out with it (but not in a painful way just a strange way). It was over very quickly though. Best of luck to you PS this was the first surgery I have ever had in my life and everything I was worried about turned out to be fine and easily dealt with!

Hi Mandy... I had surgery on the 13th and when I woke up I didn't even know I had a drain in. It actually didn't feel like anything and didn't bother me until I had to have it removed. The end of the drain that is in you is kinda flat and flexible so it kinda drags over everything when it's being removed and I think that's what you feel more than anything. When they took it out it just felt like a big ol' snake was being pulled out of the top of my stomach. It stung a little bit but it was just very strange overall. It didn't hurt really really badly, just a stinging, pulling sensation for about 15 seconds and it was over. Don't worry about it..it'll be the last thing on your mind after surgery. Your surgery will be just fine! Lots of prayers for you on your day! Dana