Help, need advice? Pretty nervous about drain.
Hi everyone. So I had my ds on Monday, been home doing ok. Getting in my fluids, walking etc. so today I notice that my jp drain is really not doing much. Then looking at the drain, inside there is a clot stuck up inside, looking like it's plugging it. After my husband messed with it, the larger of the clot broken loose but still seems to be not draining. I have gauge on it and it has been sepping into that. Should I go in to the emergency room? Should I call my surgeon or my pop? This is putting my anixety in over drive....any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Give the surgeon a call today. There are some surgeons that don't even use drains after they release you from the hospital but having a clogged on isn't so good. If you have one of those little "doc in a box" offices (Urgent Care), it might be cheaper than going to the ER.
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
I wouldn't worry about the clot. Usually you can squeeze them into the drain by compressing the tube between your fingers and forcing it towards the bulb. That just happens. I had to do this many times in the first week to 10 days I had the drain in.
My drain emptied as much into the gauze around it as it did into the drain in my experience that is not a real concern wither. I think it has more to do with how tight they made the stitch around the tube hole. It was a huge pain in the butt though.
It's OK to call your surgeon and check - you should never be nervous about doing that. Anxiety can run high when you are newly post-op, especially just out of the hospital and better to call than to miss something you should have called about.
Welcome to the DS world. I hope you heal quick.
Pete
Hello! Well I am not giving medical advise, however my drain had tissue and gunk in it quite often. I was also really worried. I was always able to just clean out the blockage myself, wasnt that big of a deal. Also mine didnt drain much after a few days, so fluid may still be able to get through your drain you may just be draining less. I do agree if you feel there is a problem call your doc and get it checked out. I just wanted to tell you how mine went. Also just a note after they remove drain 2 weeks later I had more fluid than ever coming out of my gauze which scared me since drain was barely getting anything, turns out to be perfectly normal. let us know how you are doing!- MIke