Hanging in there!

Hey all, I have been lurking lately reading but not posting. It is exactly one wee****il my surgery and just like Jacqueline, I am doing my pre op carnation instant breakfast diet. Jacqueline? How you hanging in there? I am surprised that I am not hungry, but I keep wanting to fix food for my husband! Lucky him. I like being the chef...who knew. I have a question for those of you that recently had the lap gastric bypass...did you have a drain when you went home? I have been wondering that for a long time. Thanks Rachael

My surgeon does not use a drain with the lap GB. He does use one when he does it open though. Good luck Rachael! Try not to worry too much. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Susan

Rachael, I had two drains post-op. One was removed before I was discharged from the hospital and the other was left in for another week once I went home. It just depends on how much fluids you tend to retain and how quickly your body can resolve them. One disadvantage to not having drain tubes is that fluids can build up and create an excellent environment for an infection to set in. Even if you do go home with one, they are not that big a deal. Relax and good luck.

Hi Rachael. I had two in my with the laproscopic gastric bypass. One was removed 3 days later as I was to be discharged. But then I had to have 2 pints of blood given to me. When I left the hospital I still had one in me to drain the excess fluids. It was removed by my surgeon when I saw him 5 days later. No biggy. You can't shower if the first tube is still in you, but you can once they take that one out. That first tube is there while you are in the hospital incase they have to give you medications that you won't be able to swallow or as a feeding tube incase they have to feed you that way. After it's taken out, you may still leave the hospital with one in to drain off the excess fluids. Like Toni said no biggy. Take a shower, just put a clean dressing on it to catch any fluids. Your surgeon will remove it a week after surgery when you see him. Best of luck, you'll do fine. Love Kathy

Hi, I didn't have a drain tube when I came home, in fact it came out during my first night....didn't feel a thing. My daughter didn't have a tube to come home with either. No problems. Good luck Billie

Welcome Rachael, I am a faithful reader on the TN.board but lurk more then post. You can click on my profile under webpage and take a look at the drains. They really do look worse then they feel. And as everyone else has said, it really depends on your doctor as to if you will have drains and how long. Hugs, Lori

Hey Rachael, Yeah, I'm hanging in there!!! Actually after feeling really crappy, hungery, dizzy and crazy, lol... today I feel great. My headaches have gone away and so has my hunger, I had a bunch of energy today and cleaned the house trying to get for surgery. I am cooking for my husband and mother in-law and trying to feed them too!!! lol, that's so funny we're both doing that!!! Anyway, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well with this pre-op diet, because it didn't go so great for me at first. I have two more days until surgery!!!! Tues is my last day with the CIB and then Wed I'm on clear liquids and then Thrus at 6 am I check into Vanderbilt!!! I can't believe it's almost here. Wed. my husband has taken the day off and I want him to take some pics of me so I have plenty of "before" pictures to compare myself later with!!! Luv Ya'll, Jacqueline