The Dreaded Drains....
If your G-tube is already hurting (mine did not actually hurt... the hole at the surface was just a bit tender), it might not be not a bad idea to take some pain meds before she removes it, because the g-tube is more uncomfortable to have removed than the J-P drains. Like the drains, it, too, comes out very quickly once she clips the sutures, but there is some brief discomfort... which might be greater since your is already hurting.
Take something before you leave home, though, because she will NOT have anything in the office to give you.
I'll send you a PM with an additional comment...
Lora
Take something before you leave home, though, because she will NOT have anything in the office to give you.
I'll send you a PM with an additional comment...
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
(I assume that someone else has already explained what the drains are for and how they work... I did not read the other replies...)
My surgeon does NOT use drains for RNY (unless a particular individual has a specific need ofr one for some unique reason, of course). I have had drains for other surgeries, though (I had two when I had my panniculectomy, and one when I had a VERY large lipoma removed from my hip), and I did not have anything more than brief mild discomfort (but nothing even apporoaching pain) when the drains were removed.
Lora
My surgeon does NOT use drains for RNY (unless a particular individual has a specific need ofr one for some unique reason, of course). I have had drains for other surgeries, though (I had two when I had my panniculectomy, and one when I had a VERY large lipoma removed from my hip), and I did not have anything more than brief mild discomfort (but nothing even apporoaching pain) when the drains were removed.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Does everyone have them? No, not all surgeons put in a drain after surgery, but I believe the vast majority do.
What exactly are they doing? Drains (most commonly Jackson Pratt (or JP) drains) are used to drain fluid (lymph/blood) and air from a surgical site. They look like a long flexible tube connected to a squeezy bulb at the end. The bulb has the air squeezed out and then is attatched to the drain tube. It uses suction to pull whatever extra fluid is hanging out in your abdomin post surgery out.
What do you have to do to take care of them? In the hospital, nothing. Your nurse will come around every couple of hours (depending on how much is draining) and empty the bulb. If for some reason they send you home with a drain you'll empty the bulb at home as well. Your nurse will show you how to do this prior to discharge and tell you how often to empty it. Whether yours is pulled in the hospital or in the surgeons office later, be aware that the opening left will take some time to heal on its own. Just keep it dry and loosly covered (it may still leak bloody/clear fluid as it heals) and give it time.
How long do they stay in? Most people are NOT sent home with a drain, and have their removed on their day of discharge (mine was). Otherwise, they are removed when you are no longer draining a significant amount of fluid - normally by a week post-op.
Do they hurt like hell to take out? Well, it's not comfortable, but it's not excrutiating either. The drain is pulled out very quickly and there's momentary uncomfortableness, but once it's out there's no more pain and you may actually feel better, like there's less of a "full" feeling in your upper abdomen.
To be honest, the foley catheter and the drain were the things I was most uncomfortable with prior to surgery as well, but really, you're so out of it that first day anyway you'll hardly notice they are there.
What exactly are they doing? Drains (most commonly Jackson Pratt (or JP) drains) are used to drain fluid (lymph/blood) and air from a surgical site. They look like a long flexible tube connected to a squeezy bulb at the end. The bulb has the air squeezed out and then is attatched to the drain tube. It uses suction to pull whatever extra fluid is hanging out in your abdomin post surgery out.
What do you have to do to take care of them? In the hospital, nothing. Your nurse will come around every couple of hours (depending on how much is draining) and empty the bulb. If for some reason they send you home with a drain you'll empty the bulb at home as well. Your nurse will show you how to do this prior to discharge and tell you how often to empty it. Whether yours is pulled in the hospital or in the surgeons office later, be aware that the opening left will take some time to heal on its own. Just keep it dry and loosly covered (it may still leak bloody/clear fluid as it heals) and give it time.
How long do they stay in? Most people are NOT sent home with a drain, and have their removed on their day of discharge (mine was). Otherwise, they are removed when you are no longer draining a significant amount of fluid - normally by a week post-op.
Do they hurt like hell to take out? Well, it's not comfortable, but it's not excrutiating either. The drain is pulled out very quickly and there's momentary uncomfortableness, but once it's out there's no more pain and you may actually feel better, like there's less of a "full" feeling in your upper abdomen.
To be honest, the foley catheter and the drain were the things I was most uncomfortable with prior to surgery as well, but really, you're so out of it that first day anyway you'll hardly notice they are there.
Not trying to scare you but I had a problem with the drain. One of the drains got hooked to something internally and when they removed it, I almost fell of the table in pain. It hurt like Hell! It was definitely the most pain I have had during my surgery process. It usually doesnt hurt for people but like I said, mine got stuck. Best of luck to you. I would still do it again in a second, although I do miss my pizza! LOL
The drain is important because it can show that there is a leak. They will tell you what to look for while you are in the hospital. Fluid should be pink or olive oil in color and not smell bad. If not you need to notify the surgeon.
I had my drain for about a week. It is a plastic bulb with an attached plug a little larger than an egg but smaller than a small baked potato. You take the plug out and squeeze the fluid out a couple time a day. They may want you to measure and if so send home a specimen cup to measure with. Then you just flush the fluid. It did feel strange (not quite a tickle) coming out but it did not hurt.
I had my drain for about a week. It is a plastic bulb with an attached plug a little larger than an egg but smaller than a small baked potato. You take the plug out and squeeze the fluid out a couple time a day. They may want you to measure and if so send home a specimen cup to measure with. Then you just flush the fluid. It did feel strange (not quite a tickle) coming out but it did not hurt.
Winnie
Hi Ginger!
I haven't even seen my surgeon yet and I can totally understand your concerns and doubts. Since I haven't gone through the procedure yet, I can't be much help, but I do wish you luck on Thursday and I will keep you in my prayers, and please, please do keep us posted on your recovery.
Lisa
I haven't even seen my surgeon yet and I can totally understand your concerns and doubts. Since I haven't gone through the procedure yet, I can't be much help, but I do wish you luck on Thursday and I will keep you in my prayers, and please, please do keep us posted on your recovery.
Lisa
MY JP drain was removed at the hospital I had to keep the G-Tube for a month and it will be removed Wednesday. I am very nervous. Not all dr's require a G-tube. Its in case of feeding issues and medication issues. you can be fed through the G-tube if for some reason you can not it. Its Mandatory with my dr who is a centers of excellence with 25 years experience. I am going to take a mild pain medication before I leave to go to the appointment or maybe when I am in the lobby. Mine does not hurt NOW, Its still tender and Im afraid it will hurt coming out. But I will be glad when its gone. I need to be able to sleep on my stomach again.
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