Drains
My drains were in the pubic area also and really weren't a big deal to me - first week was a blur anyway. I did get them out after one week then had a seroma that had to be drained at 3 weeks - not a big deal but not fun - so I think my drains came out too soon.
The bigger deal will be no lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs for 6 weeks. That baby is more precious than any tummy business anyway. Enjoy holding that precious new life! That time goes by so fast!
I had 4 for my belt lipectomy. They were in 3 weeks as I recall. I wish (in retrospect) that they were in one more week as I had a bit of a problem with one stitch popping that resulted in having to do packing for several weeks. I didn't have any drains for my revision. They are manageable, just inconvenient. I suggest that you have a lanyard to attach them to when showering etc. They are not a big enough issue to steer you away from surgery (I hope) but I do understand that they are not "fun".
HW 420 SW 369 Pre-Op -51 lbs; M1-19;M2-15;M3-14;M4 -14;M5-13; M6- 14;M7-14;M8-10;M9-11;M10-11;M11-9;M12-7;M13-7;M14-5; M15-7; M16-8. M17-3. M18-6; M19-5. Goal of 200 (220 Lost) Reached Month 15. Goal of 180 (240 lost) reached at 18 months 10 days on 4/.20/13. 57% body weight lost@180. Now on maintenance. Low weight 169.
Beyond Goal
The drains were a pain - but not a reason to avoid surgery. They are a necessary evil because swelling and seroma is much worse. I had two with my tummy tuck. One was in for 10 days and the other was in for 18 days. I had two for my butt lift and both came out in 7 days.
I could not lift for 6 weeks. It takes a lot out of you... and not sure I would want to do it with a baby. Depends on how much help you have. No way you could carry a kiddo in a car seat early-out.
Good luck with your decision.
Revision Lapband to RNY 2-6-2013 HW: 286 Pre-Op Diet: 277 Surgery Day: 265 Goal: 155 CW: 155
Plastic surgery 8/28/2014: Brachioplasty, mastopexy, & abdominoplasty.
Plastic surgery 1/27/2015: Butt Lift
Have to agree with most everyone-drains are a pain-but necessary. No big deal. Mine were both out after 2 1/2 weeks. Weight lift was limited to about 10-15 lbs and at 4 weeks Doc cleared me to lift more as I felt comfortable. Had circum belt lipectomy with fleur de lis TT and LOVE IT. 27 1/2 lbs gone. Still a little swollen but 2 band sizes down in bra, I can't even tell yet how many in pants-I'm sticking with stretchy pants because of swelling but I have gone from an 18 into a 12-didn't purchase because still swollen-too big in waist but wouldn't want to do a 10 because I still have these thighs! Anyway-good luck!
