Twelve Days of Waiting...10/31 surgery date

I suppose I could make up a corny 12 days of surgery (like the 12 days of Christmas) for a laugh, but I'll spare you all!

I'm reading a lot of the posts. Hadn't posted myself much because I didn't get a lot of response early on.  But, I'll start getting more regular.

Is anybody else's surgeon requiring them to wear anti-embolism stockings?  I'm 36 BMI, so it's not a weight related issue--and I guess it's just his standard protocol. I'm a bit bummed about it as we'll be in Costa Rica which is warm and humid.  I'm staying the week after surgery at a beautiful resort on the coast--I figured what the heck--it's been a rough, rough year stress wise and what better way to recover.

Also, I'm curious about the drain---is that just a tube coming out?  And, if so (which I imagine it is) where does it drain to?  Is there a bag, or gauze on the end or what?

I'd like to have as few surprises as possible.  My surgeon seems to be very renowned (he was chosen to perform laproscopic surgery on the president of Costa Rica which seems telling) he's far away and I keep having little questions pop up.

Thanks for any insight and good luck everyone!!  -Maria 

 I don't have to wear them until the day of surgery.  The drain tube - my information said thatthey only use that when there is a lot of bleeding in the abdomen or other fluid for some unknown reason.  I imagine it's like a catheter?

Hi Maria!

Unfortunately I don't have any answers to your questions, hopfully someone else will...

But I just want to say welcome to the group and thank you for posting!

-Jodie

I had to wear compression stockings after surgery  to keep from getting a blood clot. And no drains for me, but if you are doing it in Costa rica maybe they use an older surgery? I dunno I have not heard of anyone needing them unless there was a complication.. Good luck!!

Hi all,

I just had surgery last week (10/13/11) and I had to wear compression socks while at hospital but didn't bring them with me home. I just try to walk for a few minutes a day (around 15 -20 not all at one time though) to circulate my blood to prevent blood clots. I didn't require a drain tube eiher. I had no leakage from my incisions.  Good luck on your surgery and keep us updated.

Hey and welcome.  Congrats on your up coming surgery. My date is the same as yours.  Tons of emotions!  A drain tube is a clear plastic tube and it has a bulb at the end. (Similar to what they use to pump up blood pressure cuff).  I don't know about the hose but when i had my gallbladder out they had cuffs on my legs ( much like blood pressure cuff) that would periodically cycle and compress my legs to help with blood flow.

Best of luck to you!! Keep us posted