The "drain"

Hello Everyone: I have a question that needs to be answered. My surgery is set for August 10, 2005. (LAP RNY) Do I need to buy any cotton, gauze, ointment, etc to maintain the treatment until I go and get it (drain) removed? If so, what do you recommend?

I used 4"x4" gauze and paper tape, which was what my surgeon recommended.

I used Kotex and medical tape, which is what the hospital recommended. I don't know what type of drain you will have, but mine was really nothing more than a latex tube (no bulb or anything funny). You are NOT supposed to use any ointment on it. Your best bet would be to call your surgeon's office to find out exactly what you will need, since all drains are different. Pamela -111

Hubby had his surgery in St. Louis at Barnes, and they sent us home with all supplies, you might want to wait to see if that is the case for you. Good luck!

Definitely test out some of the tapes available before hand ... your skin will become so tender where you'll have to repeatedly tape on the gauze pad. My drain was in 10 days (my surgeon's decision, certainly not mine) and my skin took a real beating before that drain came out. All good wishes and blessings on your surgery, Myra