Question:
If you had a JP drain or Franch Blake drain, how long was your recovery?

There was a misfire of the stapler so that site had to be sutured. From the operative report a French Blake drain was installed. The nurse called it a JP drain. The drain was a more of a nuisence for a couple of days and then it went to pain a couple of days before it was taken out. Day 8 it was taken out. I have been running temperature in the 99's but the night the drain was taken out my temperature continued to rise until it got over 101. My physician called in a antibotic. I'm now 2 weeks post-op and starting to feel a little better every day but I'm wondering how long this exteneded my recovery time. I'm still very sore where the drain was and my stomach is still swollen. I would appreciate your comments.    — Sharon M. (posted on February 6, 2003)

February 7, 2003
I had two JPs when I went home. One stayed in for 7 days and the second for 11. I ran a fever of 101 on days five and six but I normaled out after that. I was told that it is common because the body fights the tubes. After the second one was out, I started to feel human a couple days later and haven't had any trouble since (now two months later). Keep the area clean and put on anti-biotic oinment once or twice a day untul the scabs are gone. It shouldn't slow you down at all now that they are out.
   — Chris P.