JP DRAIN QUESTION

Hello everyone: I am currently researching plastic surgery, as I'm anticipating a possible TT and thigh lift in the next year hopefully!! I have a question for those who have went home with JP drains and reserviors. Were you shown how to empty them when they were full, or did you have to replace them? Was there alot of care involved with them, while they were in place? Did you do everything with them yourselves? Thanks for any info you might have!! PS I didn't have any drains with my WLS, so no experience!! DeeAnn R 284/168/130

Hi Deeann - I just came home from RNY with the JP drain in. (Also had one after my thyroidectomy in 2003.) They are very simple. It is a tube that is attached to a bulb like reservior. To empty it, you just pull off a cap and squeeze out any drainage. Then you squeeze the empty bulb shut and replace the cap. That causes just a little aspiration to the tube that is inside. Just good handwashing before and after is all that is needed. Good luck with the TT. Wish I was that far along, but just got started. I am thrilled though. Surgery was 1/4 and I am down 13#!!! Mary

There's nothing to it, DeeAnn. We were instructed in how to care for it before our surgery. It's really not a problem, just a nuisense. The drain consists of a tube that runs from the body & ends as a bulb with a stopper in it. All you do is uncork the opening & squeeze it to emp[ty it out. Then you squeeze the bulb flat again, causing a vacumn & put the stopper back in & you're ready to go again. There is a tab on it so you can pin it to your clothes so it doesn't just hang there. You can wear it under your clothes & pretty much no one is the wiser, unless you wear skin tight clothes. It's ablut the size of a small pear. We were to empty it a couple times a day. I really dreaded having to deal with it but it wasn't bad at all and it does do a good thing. It helps prevent seromas and your body doesn't have to absorb all that fulid. I understand you have more than one with plastic surgery. The bad part about them is it is not very comfortable when they are removed. Everyone reacts differently but at our surgeon's office most people say it feels kind of uncomfortable as the tube is in really far. They pull it out really fast so it doesn't last. I did have one when I had my hysterectomy & accidently pulled it out myself in the hospital. I didn't feel a thing & only knew it was out when I started dripping on the floor. I did feel it being removed after the WLS, however. Dixie

There's nothing to it, DeeAnn. We were instructed in how to care for it before our surgery. It's really not a problem, just a nuisense. The drain consists of a tube that runs from the body & ends as a bulb with a stopper in it. All you do is uncork the opening & squeeze it to emp[ty it out. Then you squeeze the bulb flat again, causing a vacumn & put the stopper back in & you're ready to go again. There is a tab on it so you can pin it to your clothes so it doesn't just hang there. You can wear it under your clothes & pretty much no one is the wiser, unless you wear skin tight clothes. It's about the size of a small pear. We were to empty it a couple times a day. I really dreaded having to deal with it but it wasn't bad at all and it does do a good thing. It helps prevent seromas and your body doesn't have to absorb all that fulid. I understand you have more than one with plastic surgery. The bad part about them is it is not very comfortable when they are removed. Everyone reacts differently but at our surgeon's office most people say it feels kind of uncomfortable as the tube is in really far. They pull it out really fast so it doesn't last. I did have one when I had my hysterectomy & accidently pulled it out myself in the hospital. I didn't feel a thing & only knew it was out when I started dripping on the floor. I did feel it being removed after the WLS, however. Dixie

DANG! I double posted again! Sorry

DeeAnn I went back to grinnell, and dr eibes did my belt lipectomy. I would be more then happy to talk to you about the tubes and stuff, but I wil just tell you, that by the time they came out, I hated them with a passion (the last 2 just came out on tuesday, can you tell?) lol Anyhow, its abuot what dixie said, you just pop off the top and empty them, and grinnell and most places are very good about telling you how to do it. And you have to keep track of it when you are home, so they know when to take them out. (which isnt fun either) anyhow, I even had home health coming for the first week, because I wasnt even able to put the binder on with 4 tubes hanging out of me. Now,he tells me tuesday that I have to order a $120 body shaper thingy that *might* be covered by insurance. geeeez. why dont they tell you thse things from the beginning? anyhow, I could talk all day, maybe sometime we could meet in mason for lunch/dinner? and we cn chat more then. right now my wound is still pretty fresh, so its kinda cool to look at. I am cut clear in half, LOL, so I tell ppl I got drunk on Xmas eve and volunteered to be cut in half at a magic show, and it went all wrong, giggles. sorry just my sick sense of humor. But, I am glad i did it. Evenif I am not at goal. Dr Eibes just told me flat out i was done losing weight from the bypass and he is right. the only weight i Have lost is from the surgery and the week in the hospital. Otherwise, I am maintaining the weight I am at. sighs. oh well Hugs Judi

Judi -- that's really sick!! You're right tho - your scar looked pretty good from what I saw of it. How are you feeling. I hope you're not giving up on losing more weight because of what Dr. Eibes said. I'm sure with having the extra skin gone you'll feel more comfortable and with more exercise (maybe walking when the weather decides to cooperate) you'll feel even better. I know that walking outside really helps my mood. It's "me" time and helps me to clear my head. Maybe we could meet up in Waterloo sometime for lunch (like a Saturday) after the weather gets better. Janie