JP Drain - Did You Go Home With One??

You are talking about a G-tube, not a JP drain, but there is normally no reason that someone with a g-tube cannot also eat and drink normally (unless there was a problem with their pouch or stoma that made the surgeon tell them NOT to eat or drink). 

I had open RNY and my surgeon sent me home with a g-tube for the first 2.5 weeks.  It is not done routinely, but it is also not "extremely rare".  My surgeon does it for abour 20% of her open RNY patients.  It was kind of weird, becasue it meant that my old stomach continued to get hungry as long as I was putting protein shakes and water into it, but it made it really easy to be sure I got enough fluids and protein early out.  It was a great way to use up protein shakes that tasted nasty, LOL.... just put it into the syringe and shoot it into the remnant stomach!

Lora

I had the GTube for 2 weeks post all since I had previous adominal surgery - he considered me a revision (had reflux surgery that had to be taken down in order to do RNY) but I didn't use the GTube. It was clamped but there in case of complications if I needed it. At  my 2 week visit, it was taken out.

This past winter was a different story - I had a GTube from November to March and they did use if for tube feedings since I got so malnurished and lost so much weight.

I had lap RNY and went home with a jp drain.  It wasn't bad. I was told it was to check for leaks.  I dumped it twice (once closer to the end) a day.  They took it out at my one week visit.  It had a plastic loop on top which I used to pin it to the inside of my shirt or to my binder if I had it on.

G-tube is used to feed people who are unable to eat or can not get the necessary nutrients in.  Used lots in nursing homes.  I don't think that is anything you need to worry about.  It would be highly unlikely that you would need one.

I did not have a drain,,,,

Never had a drain, not even in the hospital.

 I came home with a JP Drain and had it for about 2 weeks after being home.  I was also warned that I could come home with a feeding tube.  Now I admit that scared me to death but when all was said and done, I didn't.  Just trust your surgeon and follow what he/she has to say.  

I had a revision from VBG to RNY.  My surgery was open.  I had a G- tube for six weeks after my surgery.  I was allowed to eat and drink while it was in.  My case was kind of complicated, so maybe the doctor left the G- tube in just in case I had complications and could not eat.  I did have severe esophogeal damage from reflux.  Maybe that was why I had the G- tube for so long????   I will tell you that having that damn G-tube in for so long was uncomfortable.  It was most difficult finding a comfortable position to sleep...and when they pulled it out...well let's just say...it was not my best day ...OUCH!   Good news is... I survived it...and the discomfort is just a distant memory for me!  I would have RNY again in a heartbeat!

Rocky, did your surgeon try to do your surgery lap first then had to switch to open or had he planned on doing it open all along?

My VBG to RNY surgery is tomorrow, so just a little bit nervous here!!

Wynter

I had open and I had a JP (or Jackson Pratt) drain in my side.  It is there to drain off fluid in the abdomen.  Surgeons put them in because the fluid is better out than in (it would cause swelling).  The drain is stitched in and you need to empty it each day.  It is very easy to drain.  It is a little gross but it doesn't hurt at all.  Mine was in for a week.
D

I had mini-open RNY - but was a revision from Lap-Band.  I came home with a JP Drain that I drained 2x a day for a week.  I also had two other drains (one from my port site and one in my chest below my sternum).  I'm now three weeks post op and the JP Drain area as well as the port are fine - no issues.  However, the area where I had one in my chest is still draining and I'm having to change it three times a day.  I'm really struggling with it and am getting impatient - ready to be healed and feel like me.

I don't believe the drains are common in Laproscopic procedures.  I know many people that do not have them once they come home.  My surgeon is very thorough and cautious...after my band experience that is a good thing.

Drains are nothing to be afraid of...they are just a pain in the rear...