Drain & Tube
Hi Michelle,
I think your question regarding your personal expectations would best be answered by your surgeon. While my surgeon doesn't routinely put in drains, he did in my case because he suspected I might develop a leak due to the condition of some of the tissue he had to suture, and he was right... within a couple of days I did develop a small leak and had to be rehospitalized. You can read more about in on my profile, but I kept the drain for about 3 weeks. Every surgeon's protocol is different, as is every patient.
I think your question regarding your personal expectations would best be answered by your surgeon. While my surgeon doesn't routinely put in drains, he did in my case because he suspected I might develop a leak due to the condition of some of the tissue he had to suture, and he was right... within a couple of days I did develop a small leak and had to be rehospitalized. You can read more about in on my profile, but I kept the drain for about 3 weeks. Every surgeon's protocol is different, as is every patient.
Hi Michelle,
Not all doctors utilize drains or G tubes, but Dr. Mitchell does. There are two that he uses: the first is a Blake drain, which remains in place for two weeks. The purpose of this drain is to ensure that no leaks develop, and if they do that they are caught as soon as possible. After surgery, Dr. Mitchell requires you to drink a 20 ounce bottle of blue Powerade every day - and trust me, it takes ALL day to get the 20 ounces in! The reason for this is that there aren't any blue fluids naturally in your body, and so if you see blue in the drain then you know that you have a leak. As I said, the drain stays in for two weeks, since that is the most critical time in regards to developing a leak. The Blake drain doesn't hurt too much, and only tickles when it comes out.
The second tube Dr. Mitchell uses is a G-tube, which goes into the "old" part of the stomach. The tube is used to give yourself fluids, nutrition (liquid protein, etc) and meds. It stays in for 4 weeks. I think most people can agree that while they counted down the days until the G tube was removed, they were VERY happy to have had it. Dehydration is the most common reason post GB patients end up back in the hospital, and the G tube helps to avoid that. I was very anxious to get mine out at 4 weeks, but then really wished I still had it less than a week later when my gall bladder started acting up and had to come out - the G tube is one of those things you hate to have at the time, but are very glad to have had once it is all over.
Not all doctors utilize drains or G tubes, but Dr. Mitchell does. There are two that he uses: the first is a Blake drain, which remains in place for two weeks. The purpose of this drain is to ensure that no leaks develop, and if they do that they are caught as soon as possible. After surgery, Dr. Mitchell requires you to drink a 20 ounce bottle of blue Powerade every day - and trust me, it takes ALL day to get the 20 ounces in! The reason for this is that there aren't any blue fluids naturally in your body, and so if you see blue in the drain then you know that you have a leak. As I said, the drain stays in for two weeks, since that is the most critical time in regards to developing a leak. The Blake drain doesn't hurt too much, and only tickles when it comes out.
The second tube Dr. Mitchell uses is a G-tube, which goes into the "old" part of the stomach. The tube is used to give yourself fluids, nutrition (liquid protein, etc) and meds. It stays in for 4 weeks. I think most people can agree that while they counted down the days until the G tube was removed, they were VERY happy to have had it. Dehydration is the most common reason post GB patients end up back in the hospital, and the G tube helps to avoid that. I was very anxious to get mine out at 4 weeks, but then really wished I still had it less than a week later when my gall bladder started acting up and had to come out - the G tube is one of those things you hate to have at the time, but are very glad to have had once it is all over.
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