Drain Tube Removal ???????

Hi Everyone, First of all, I want to say this message board is great. I look at it for 1-2 hours/day.  I've learned so much from all of you. My surgery is scheduled for March 20 (7 days) with DR. Huse. I attended a support group meeting in Fort Wayne last night and someone was telling me, you will have a first return visit , three days after surgery.  At this time they will remove the drain tube. I was under the impression when you leave the hospital after two days stay this will be removed before you leave?? I am having the Lap RNY. and am just wandering how  long the drain tube was in for most of you?? I'm soooooooo looking forward to  my RNY  and my  lifestyle changes Thanks so much for your support,                Dave    

Hi Dave.  I'm sure every surgeon has different protocol, but for me, I had to go home with the tube, and didn't have to go back to have it removed.  I was comfortable with taking it out myself, and the surgeon said that was fine. So a few days after I got home, I just cut the stitch and pulled it out.  No problems :) Good luck!!!!

Everyone is different. It really depends on the output that your getting in your drain. Mine was removed before I left the hospital but I was kept an extra day also.

Like they both said, every dr. is different.  I came home with my tube still in, and my home health nurse took it out after a little over a week.  It just depends on if you still are having any drainage and if you develop a leak.  But since you have the band instead, you may not have to keep it as long as we did.  Good luck!

I went home with my drain tube and they were going to take it out at my 1 week follow up.  After about 4 days I started having a lot of pain/pressure in my chest so I called the Dr and the nurse told me how to take it out because she said that the tube was probably causing the pressure in my chest.  So my husband removed it for me.  I wouldnt go home and just take it out make sure it is ok with your doc or nurse first.  If you are still having a lot of drainage they may not want you to take it out.  I am not sure with Dr. Huse if he sends patients home with it or not.  Good luck with your surgery!

Dave....like everyone has said it depends on the Doc and how much drainage you are having..... I had Lap RNY and had mine removed at my one week appointment by the nurse.....Good luck on this wonderful journey you are about to embark on...... Hugs, Holly

Hi, I had Dr Huse and did not have a drain tube. I also did not go back to see him until 4 weeks later. I also had Lap RNY. I was in the hospital 3 days. Had surgery Friday July 13, went home on Monday July 16. Went back to work THursday Aug 2, even though he lists in his discharge papers that you cannot expect to return to wor****il at a minimum of 4 weeks. I am a data operator which is a fancy term for computer data entry so I sit all day in front of a computer and answer phones because I also am the switchboard operator. I have had zero problems until just recently and had an internal hernia repair and again it is the usual of come back to see me in 4 weeks. I am now getting close to my personal goal. Dr. Huse told me I need to think about stopping because he can see my collar bones! At my initial consult in Nov 2006 I was 271. My pre-op class day which is when St Vincents takes the starting weight I was 246 and my personal goal is 145 and last week when I weighed (because I only weigh 1 time a week) I was 159. Good luck to you, I think you will really like Dr. Huse.