After JP drain wound

My husband had his surgery on Feb 9, 2009.  He still has a hole where the JP drains came out. When we went to the Doc he told him to pack it with gauze everyday. You could probably put a dime in the hole that is there.  It does seem to be healing but he wants to know if this is normal.

It is normal and it will fill in and heal. Just keep it covered and clean and it will be fine.

Karen

that is the worst part of the entire process if you ask me. Just keep it covered and you should be able to start putting neosporine on it now and keep it covered, making sure to clean it with soapy water and rinse it well. it will be scabby and look really nasty for a while, then the scab will just fall off and it will look even worst, but it will get better- i am exactly 7 weeks out right now, and my scar is still about a dime size and its bright pink. All healed up but still itchy, and gross. Once its healed put vitamin E oil on it to soften it up and continue to help it heal. Good luck!

hi there! i too had 'drainage issues' after my RNY. It drained like crazy for a full week. I went back to the Dr's office at one week and they removed the two stitches that were leaking and glued me shut. She did put me on Levaquin antibiotic just in case. After four days, the glued spot filled with liquid and burst. I was left with a round spot the size of a dime that took about three days to heal over. I never had any redness or infection. I am four weeks post-op and everything is healing like normal now.
I would definitely let the Dr's office LOOK at it every three or four days and sooner if you see signs of infection.

I had the same problem, but my closed & then busted open again to drain remaining fluid out ( sorry so graphic ) But when I saw my Dr he taught me how to care for it & I used a 6 inch q-tip to clean the inside, so more then a dime can fit inside...lol...just keep it clean and it will close on it own. Mine closed in less then 10 days, I also cleaned it 2x's a day. Take care!!!!
Katherine

The incision heals from the inside out. I had an open hole about the size of a pencil eraser for a couple weeks after the tube was removed. Some redness and drainage is normal during the healing process. I was told to wash normally when I showered, then apply antibiotic cream around the edges with a loose bandage so you still get air to it.

You guys have given me hope! I have 2 JP drains! Yep that's right 2! I get them out this thurs! I wa wondering what I would have to do :)

It's not at all uncommon, but supreme cleanliness is very important. If any redness, heat, swelling, oozing occurs, contact the doc right away--he doesn't want an infection to set in! 3M makes some awesome wound care products, such as the Tegaderm line.  My mom had a JP wound that oozed for a long time.  A few days with that stuff and she was healed over.  Talk to your doc.

Ann

OMG!  I am not having this problem, thank God!  I read the others' posts that this is normal and am on my knees thanking the good Lord it isn't one of my problems.  That would so gross me out I don't think I could take care of it properly. 

I do have a lot of pain at the site of my drain.  It's funny because my incisions (that still have staples in them) are only itchy now.  It's funny because I went through 4 months of education before my surgery and felt fully prepared about the surgery itself and the lifestyle changes I would have to make after.  However, I have  found that I was not prepared for the normal surgery stuff like this drain business.

I will keep your husband in my prayers.  Are you gettng anxious for your own surgery?

Olivia