Question:
How long before I quit draining and heal up?

Hi folks - I had open RNY on 4/10 and have been having a lot of drainage from the lower end of my incision. I know this is OK and helps healing, etc. My question: How long before the draining will stop and my incision is healed up? I know I'm not quite 3 weeks post-op yet, but I guess I'm one of those people that doesn't believe patience is a virtue! Thanks much, Diane    — Diane S. (posted on April 28, 2000)

April 28, 2000
Hi, I had rny on 4/10 also and like you have a hole and drainage on the lower portion of my incision. I'm still draining but it has slowed considerably and I seem to be closing up now...anyway if you find out more please let me know :-) !
   — Alicia B.

April 28, 2000
Patience may be necessary. I had a drainage for about 6 weeks. Then it started to heal up. But guess what? Some fluid still decided that it wanted out so it made another drainage hole. This one is bigger and uglier. I just keep an antibiotic and a bandage over it. There is no pain associated with it. I hope you heal faster.
   — Judith K.

April 29, 2000
Hi Diane: I'm one of those people who always have a lot of drainage from incisins. Mine lasted about 4 weeks. There was a moderate amount in the very beginning, which increased week 2, then it gradually subsided over the next 2 or 3 weeks. Everyone is different. Jaye
   — Jaye C.

July 5, 2000
I don't want to scare you, but I had drainage from my incision for 7 months. I don't know how I stayed positive throughout all of that packing gauze and such, but somehow I made it through. I did, however, after all of the drainage stopped find that I had an incisional hernia the size of a basketball. I just had that repaired in May and my incision is absolutely perfect. I don't know why sometimes the incisions drain and other times they don't. Good Luck to you, I'll pray for a short healing period for you.
   — Chris M.