Drains can be a drag....

Ok, my whining has mostly focused on the drain sticking out of my side. It doesn't hurt anymore, just gets in the way and is something my OCD can focus on for now. This thread will serve to list the many ways we love/hate and deal with our drains. Love - it keeps working, sucking away things that could go ick in the belly if left in place. Hate - A tube sticking out of my otherwise sterile belly - nuf said. - The telltale lump under my shirt on the left side of my body - very attractive. Deal - Stripping it every 8 hrs, draining it every 2 (about 20cc each time) and pinning it to the shower curtain during showers - must come up with a more elegant way of dealing with that - maybe a piece of ribbon and with more length so I can turn all the way around.

Im glad my dr removed my drain before I came home so I didnt have to mess with all that. How much longer do you have to have yours? Cindy

I'm sorry you have to have that annoying thing! Mine was taken out before I left the hospital too.

Those drains are annoying... but it sure hurt when they pulled it out! Geez, it felt like the contents of my stomach were being pulled thru that small hole! OUCH! I had mine taken out before I left the hospital too...yay! But I know what you're going thru because I had a drain put in after my hernia surgery years ago. I had to leave it in for 10 days and it was a pain to have hanging around. I used surgical tape to tape it up during my showers so it wouldn't hang and pull at the hole. I feel your pain Jeff... but it's there for a good reason. It's draining all that junk out of you that you don't need in your body. It'll all be over with before you know it! Hang in there Jeff! Cheers, Lisa S.

Well that stinks, what's with all you guys with no drains!!! Must be my conservative doctor - or maybe they've had good luck all along with drains and just don't want to mess with their mojo. Thanks for the support though. I hope to see less of each of us as time goes on (pun intended).

I never even had a drain!!!! My surgeon doesn't use them. Now I am so grateful

I think it depends on how much is draining. If alot is coming out they will keep the drain in. When it becomes less then they will remove it. I remember the nurse saying that it looks like I will be able to get my drain out because there's hardly anymore drainage. You must just have a lot to drain. I guess it's better for all that stuff to come out rather then be stuck inside your belly.

I had mine a week. It was a real drag but the thought of all that stuff having to be absorbed by my body made me glad I had it. I had mine removed on my first post-op appt. and as far as pain goes it really didn't hurt having it removed. It was just a strange pressure and I could feel it pulling through my abdomen but it was really quick. Good Luck to you Michelle

I didn't have a drain either...thank God! What is it for? I heard about them before surgery and was worried about it. I was thrilled to wake up without one. I had 2 little drains in my hip after back surgery once with little discs to catch the fluid. Is that what you are talking about? Thankfully, I had those out before I went home in they were only in an inch or so. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I hope you get it out soon. Sounds like a big pain in the butt.

Naw, these are the ones with a big baggie on the end, and they hang on your side like a dog biting. Luckily I had mine out before I left hospital too.