JP DRAIN "JACKSON PRATT DRAIN"

I am scheduled to have my RNY on Dec 29th, and I was told during my Pre surgery class, that my surgeon leaves in my JP drain, and I have to care for it while I am home recovering. Has anyone else had a JP drain when they came home from the hospital, how did you care for it, and what materials did you need to care for it? Thanks I would really appreciate any and all advice!

I didn't have a JP drain, but you won't be discharged from the hospital
without getting instructions and being able to care for the drain.
They will let you know exactly what you have to do and what you
will need.  You can also call your surgeon's office prior to the
surgery to find out from them just what you'll need so you can
have it ready at home before you go to the hospital.

Thanks I just found a video on it on you tube, and it explained everything to me. It is pretty simple, I just want to be prepared and have everything I need for after surgery.

I had one and it was left in until my first post op visit. it didnt cause any problems, just more of an annoyance.

 I did not have one for my RNY, but have had them for several other surgeries, and there really isn't anything to it... You just empty it when it gets full.  You do NOT want to wa**** out because that would  run the chance of introducing something nasty inside your body.  Just keep the area around the drain hole clean and dry.  Other than some antibacterial soap (plain old Dial will work perfectly fine), you don't need anything to care for it.

Lora

 I got to take "Johnny Paul" home with me... yes I named him.  I figured if that thing was going to be attached to me, he needed a name.  LOL.  I totally freaked out the first 10 times I had to clean my incisions/drain site, but it was mainly because I AM NOT A MEDICAL person.  My sister (who is an RN) stayed with me a couple of days after my surgery and reassured me it was no big deal.  I have to admit, it was just over reacting... because at the end of the day, it was just annoying, no pain, even when they removed it at my first post op visit.. that just felt strange, but  not painful!  

As for the supplies, the hospital sent me home with EVERYTHING I needed and very specific instructions for cleaning the site!  

Good luck:)

 I liked the YouTube posts by fatmedstudent. She was really likable.  Wish she had kept posting...

Thanks everybody your comments were really helpful, I guess me and "Johnny Paul" are going to be just fine lol!

I get mine taken out in 2 days.  I have to agree with what's been said here, it's more of an annoyance than anything!!

When I showered yesterday for the first time and had to remove the bandage from it, the gauze was stuck to the stitches holding it in place, so that scared me at first.  I was able to get it unstuck, though, and they did send me home with extra gauze and tape to get it all covered back up.

I'm assuming everyone with the drain has this, but they also gave me a sheet to keep track of each time I drained it, how much was in there, what color was it, etc.

Good luck!
Jen

Thanks Jen I am ready I think it will be ok! Thanks and I hope you have a speedy recovery!