Question:
What tubes will I wake up with?

I'm having lap rny in a couple of weeks and was wondering if I should expect to wake up with any tubes. I had my gallbladder out 7 years ago and woke up with no tubes except the I.V. they put in before surgery. Will I have a catheter? Tubes down my throat? Up my nose?? Just wondering what to expect. Thanks for your help!!    — LaRayne H. (posted on February 23, 2002)

February 23, 2002
It depends. Each doctor has his/her own protocols for all that. You'll need to ask your surgeon to find out for sure.
   — garw

February 23, 2002
As the previous poster stated, it really depends on your doctor and even the hospital's protocol. My doctor/hospital takes everything out before I wake up. I know that he inserts an NG tube through the nose and a breathing tube (in the mouth) during surgery. The only problem I had in recovery was a raspy voice, but my throat didn't really hurt. I don't have any recollection of any of the tubes even though I know they were used. There was no drainage tube used at all during my surgery. All of this is DEFINITELY something you should ask your doctor. I was terrified of the thought of tubes in my mouth and nose so I had him tell me all about the tubes at my preop appointment and he really put my mind at ease. Good Luck & quick recovery!
   — Laura B.

February 23, 2002
Forgot to say that I DID have a catheter in when I woke up and I think this is pretty standard as they want to make sure the kidneys are "awake" before removing it. It was painless and it's almost possible to forget that it's there. I walked the halls with it in and it came out on the day after surgery.
   — Laura B.

February 23, 2002
Hi! I agree that it completely depends on your surgeon. I didn't have anything down my throat or up my nose (well, I had an oxygen thing the first night, but that's not too traumatic). I had two tubes in my belly. One was connected to the 'unused' part of my stomach- the doc said it was incase I didn't get enough fluids in when I got released from the hospital, they'd have a direct line (why an IV wouldn't have worked, I don't know, didn't think to ask at the time) AND I had a drainage tube. That was pretty gross, but I guess I'm glad I had it- would rather all that junk be out than in! They were a little bit of a hassle, but nothing too significant. I was actually PETRIFIED of getting them removed, afterall these things were embedded in my body for two weeks, the thought of him yanking them out without pain meds was scary! But my imagination was definately worse than reality, wasn't that bad afterall (and I am a BIG wimp!!). Anyway, ask your doc what his procedure is, and discuss your concerns with him- he will probably be able to put you mind at ease. Good Luck!!
   — Angela B.

February 23, 2002
Every surgeon has a slightly different approach, but when I had my lap RNY the IV was inserted before the surgery, then the breathing tube and the catheter in my bladder were inserted after I was asleep. The catheter was removed in the Recovery Room before I woke up, and my surgeon doesn't use NG tubes or gastrostomy tubes in his procedures. I had no drains, external sutures, or staples. My six 1/2" incisions were closed with small pieces of tape (Steri-strips). Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

February 23, 2002
I know that you are asking about tubes, but I was also hooked up to something that was wrapped around my legs, that would 'blow up' every 5 minutes. It is used to prevent blood clots. To me that was the worst part because it kept me on my back (which I cannot sleep that way) and it goes off every 5 minutes, which would wake me up. That would wake me up every time plus the monitor that your hooked up to sets off to take your BP every so often. The other tubes I didn't mind. I had O2 in my nose, catheter, and IV along with the leg thing, heart monitor and BP monitor. I was 'hooked up'.
   — Cheri M.

February 23, 2002
I woke up with my IV, which was inserted before going into the OR. I also had a catheter and an NG tube in..they were both inserted after I was under. I was so relieved that I didn't have any tubes protruding from my tummy area...for some reason the idea of those had me freaked out a bit. The catheter came out the day after surgery and the NG tube came out the next day after that. I also had the leg things that helped to prevent clots. I found them relaxing the first few days but very annoying after that. I kept getting tangled in the tubing from it lol. Regardless of what you wake up with, just tell yourself that "this too shall pass", it really does. Good luck and try not to worry too much. Like everyone says, each doctor is different. Ask yours what to expect and don't get anxious over the experiences of others.
   — Donna L.

February 23, 2002
I worried constantly about waking up with a tube in my nose. But thankfully I did'nt have one. The only tube I had was a very small one near my incision for drainage of blood from the stomach. It was no big deal as I've had drainage tubes like that before. I don't recall haveing a foley for urine. Usually I have one and would have prefered it as all I did was get up every 5-20 minutes to pee. And that was very hard to do (painful too!) and then it took alot of work to get the IV things over to the bathroom. To make it worse the %#^$ roommate I had (besides his all night TV and snoring) peed all over the floor so I had to wade to find the tolet. I sure wish I had had a foley cathitor in! But every doc is different. I would definately request having a foley in so you don't have to get up all the time. Plus, at least for me, I usually can't pee for 24 hours after general anesthesia. Also, DO GET A PRIVATE ROOM! Read my profile if you want to know what you could get stuck with if you don't.
   — Danmark

February 24, 2002
I had my open RNY on 2/11 and I woke up to a catheter, an NG tube, a Jackson Pratt drain tube and my IV. I kept the cath for 2 days, the JP for 3, the IV for 3 and the NG for 2. The NG tube didn't bother me at all until they pulled it out, it was uncomfortable but if I managed it, anyone can. :) One note, the NG tube rubbed on my nose and left a small 'wear' spot, which is healing quite nicely-just make sure it isn't rubbing in one spot all the time. The Jackson Pratt was also uncomfortable during removal, but it only lasts a second. Good luck!
   — Jennifer G.

February 24, 2002
That all depends on your doctor. My doctor doesn't use ANY tubes, or we don't awake with any that is.
   — ZZ S.

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