Drainage Tubes

Hi everyone! I have a question - I was on the main message board and everyone talks about "drainage tubes" after surgery. I went to Dr. Aranow's seminar and a few support groups, and no one mentioned having a drainage tube put in after surgery. Is that the norm? Or will I come out of surgery without something hanging out of me??!!

Hi Tammy, They put a nose tube and a catheter in when you are "under", and when I woke up I still had the catheter. I also had a drain tube on my left side. My doctor took it out before I left the hospital, it wasn't the most pleasant thing, but compared to everything else, it was ok. Don't worry too much about it! Anne

Hi Tammy Dr Aranow's patients do not have drainage tubes but he tested blue dye in our stomach to make sure it is not leakage before he close up from the stomach. We do not have to go drink that yucky the day after surgery. Hope that answers your question Kathy K

I have to agree with all Kathy's information. Dr. Aranow uses no outside drain...he puts in an NG tube while you are under..(from nose to pouch) and tests during surgery for leaks..NG stays in until 6am the morning after surgery..it is hooked up to suction that night...I really didnt mind it much. Also..Dr. A does not use staples that have to removed...they were all self disolving ones. He may not to lap surgery..but his opens are very uncomplicated. Joanie

Hi Tammy I had an Open RNY and I had a drainage tube in till the day before I left the hospital. Not the nicest thing to look at, but I guess it is something that was necessary. Don't let this scare you. It really is not a big thing. Luis

Ditto to that info from other Dr. A patients. You'll have a NG tube (from pouch to nose that is hooked up to suction your stomach. There are no external drains and no staples. So, nothing to worry about!!

Sorry to disappoint everyone, but it is possible that you might have an extra tube. I ended up with a tube 3 days post-op because of hiccuping. So, it is always a possibility. Rest assured that it is not the norm, but it is far from the end of the world either. Not painful in any form. It is just there. Peter

For Dr. Crum's patients, you do not leave with a drainage tube or an NG tube-- one of the many advantages of being tested for leaks before they close you up in the OR.

Tammy, I had my open RNY done by Dr. Giles at UConn and actually went home with two drainage tubes hanging out from either side of my incision. Of course I was inquisitive about it and he told me that patients that are very heavy in the belly often require this type of drainage. I had the tubes in until I was 7 days post op. In the event that you do have to have them, they are not painful when they are in or when they are taken out. They are a bit awkward to sleep with and to shower with but I just tucked the little hand grenade fluid catchers into the waistband of my pants and away I went. This is not really something you should be worried about. I was before my surgery too but it was really painless. Good luck with your surgery. Donna