What's up with "drains" I keep reading about?

Maybe I missed something, but when I had my RnY surgery 13 days ago, I didn't have any of the drains everyone's talking about. What are they and why didn't I get one??? Not that I'm wishing I had, as everyone ALSO keeps talking about being happy about going to get them removed. I'm just wondering if it's a "surgeon's choice" or something whether or not to use them. ~Teri~ 311/279/261.6/140

All I know is I have to keep mine in for 6 looooonnnnnngggggg weeks. It is irritating; it stinks; it looks horrible! The young lady who cleans our house owns a haunted house and when I talked to her the other day, I told her she needs a picture of my stomach. With the frankenstein staples and the ugly red drain hanging off the side of me, I am certain she could make a plastic piece to put on one of her "monsters" in the house! I vaguely remember the doctor saying something about it "holding my stomach up so it didnt fall"????? always watching to keep the drain from popping out and grossing everyone out! De

Good Lord!! 6 weeks??? God bless you! Sandy L

Count yourself lucky. My drain site got infected and that's what I am still dealing with. That's what landed me back in the hospital and why I am still getting IV antibiotics.

I had a drain in my left side that they removed right before I left the hospital. had a little "hand grenade" hanging collecting fluid. it was a bit uncomfortable but it's gone now and no big deal. Kim

Hi Teri! I didn't have a drain either... but if I remember correctly, the nurses said that those who get drains have certain medical risks/extras that inhibit healing, or something of that nature. Pretty much at my surgeon's discretion. I don't know about others Jaci

I had two Jackson Pratt drains while in the hospital that were removed before I was discharged. I worried me a bit because they both drained pretty well, but the doctor told me my body would absorb the drainage well enough when I had them out and not to worry. I am glad they were out. They were uncomfortable, and one hurt pretty bad coming out. (felt like he was going to rip some intestines out with it!) Sandy L

These drains are not due to any extra risks or inability to heal properly, atleast not for most people. You can have drains when having most any type of surgery; stomach, knee, breast, etc. The drains are the same drains that most everyone receives in the hospital after surgery for many surgeries. They help expel the fluid that collects inside. The other purpose is to help in knowing if you develop a leak. It's just a preventive measure that some surgeons take to "go the extra mile". I still have my drains in, will get them removed tomorrow. Surgery was last Monday. Although they're a little bit of a nuisance, I'm glad that the extra precautions are there. Kim

I THINK its for people who have open RNY. I had 2 but now have 1 . One was a drain tube and the other is called a G Tube or a feeding tube. My surgeon said its so we wont become dehydrated early post op. Its a pain in the butt to have but I'm happy I have it because I dont get enough protein and water in through my mouth. I injec****er and protein powder in the tube everyday sometimes twice a day. All surgeons are different. Kay

That's funny. Everyone has a different reason why we had them. I was told that it was because whe you have a major operation your body will send white blood cells to the "damaged" organ in an attempt to heal it. Sometimes what your body thinks is a good thing is really not. I was told that it will send TOO MUCH white blood cells and could cause an absess. That is why they drain them out. I hold had to have mine for 8 days, but I hated it. It makes getting a shower very complicated. Love, Dawn