Removing the Drain

9 weeks post op, 44 lbs lost
So Monday I get the drain removed. After having experienced so much excruciating pain from other procedures, I am afraid. Will this be another painful procedure? Can those of you who have had this experience give me any insight?
Also, the doctor is consulting with a GI specialist about doing the final EGD, I don't know when. I think he's afraid after messing it up the last time.
I am discouraged, depressed and tired of all the hassles and wish I could just get back to my normal life. My best friend is coming from Arizona on business for a week and staying with us, and I don't believe I'll be able to do much with her, which is mega disappointing as I miss her terribly.
Good news is, I'm cleared to move on to pureed foods. That's a relief.

I had my drain out just over one week post op.

It didn't hurt. I expected it to hurt because the incision where the tube came out was painful, but no. The removal didn't hurt at all. It felt a little like having a long, skinny snake pulled from your body, if you can imagine that. Felt VERY weird. But not painful.

However, what DID hurt was the fact that the drain tube dislodged a gas bubble in my abdomen. When they pulled the tube out, the gas bubble floated up and made my left shoulder and ribs hurt very badly for a few days. But that really wasn't the drain that caused that, it was just typical surgical gas. And since your drain has been in so long, you probably won't have that issue.

My drain opening scabbed up and healed in a couple days. I did leak really badly for the first day. I kinda freaked out a little because I was soaking my gauze every couple hours with lymph. I finally used medical tape to hold a tampon against the hole, and it stopped the leaking, and it healed up just fine.

Thanks for the insight. Actually, this drain has only been in for about a week as they had to go in and do some repair work after they accidentally punctured my tube when doing an EGD for a stricture. And mine still leaks. You said that's lymph? I really don't understand this whole drain thing at all.

 Yep, when you have a wound or inflammation in your body, your cells release fluid to protect and heal the damaged areas. Once the damaged area starts to heal, the fluid drains away. Some of it gets reabsorbed into your tissues, some of it gets excreted in your urine, and some of it leaks from any incisions you might have. This is why wounds can tend to "weep".  

The drain tube is usually about 12-18" inches inside your body. Do you have a JP drain--the kind with a bulb at the end, outside your body?  If so, that bulb should be slightly squeezed, which gives a gentle suction and helps pulls all the liquid out if it starts to collect so there's less chance of bacteria build-up.

You probably leaked a bit around your drain incision while the drain has been in, I certainly did. And you may leak a lot more once it's removed. But that's totally normal, as long as it's clear, pinkish, or clear yellow.  If it turns bloody, thick, or looks like pus, call your doctor because it could be infected. 

This is such great information--thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have learned from you! I do have a JP drain and I empty it a few times a day. The nurse told me to strip it when I empty it but I haven't been too successful at that.
Right now my side aches and I hope it won't go on like that all weekend. Maybe I'll take some oral pain killer before I go in to have the drain removed.
You have been so helpful. Thank you thank you thank you.

 A good way to strip it is to rub some lotion or olive oil between your thumb and forefinger.  Then with your dry hand, pinch the tube right where it comes out of your body (to keep any fluid from moving backwards) and hold it while using your slippery hand to strip the tube. The lubrication helps keep it all moving smoothly down into the bulb. 

(My, but that does sound like a filthy explanation, doesn't it? ;) )

I'm glad I could help. :)  I hope everything goes smoothly and you feel much better soon.  My side was super sore too. It really doesn't like having those foreign materials in there. I can't even imagine what it would feel like if I had gone with lapband and had to have a port and tubing and all that. Eeep!

I will give it another shot--I'm obviously a klutz!

I had a drain removed after my gall bladded and it was in for 4 days. It hurt so bad for me and I have a high tolerence for pain. I think my scab formed around it and the Dr didn't tell me he was taking it out he just started talking to me and he was playing with it I thought he was going to drain it for me and yank! I screamed the girl in the bed next to me who was in the medical field said she never saw a Dr do that before and it was un called for. She was mad at him too. She said I should have been told that is what he was going to do but he said he feared I would tense up and make it worse. So just ask your Dr to tell you exactly what he is doing. Mine was probably one pain I will never forget I am scared to bits for them to put a drain in me for this surgery but I know in the end it will all be worth it.
Good Luck!

Let's hope this doctor has more compassion for you.

I don't want to be negative, but it hurt like hell when they took the drain out.  I mean suck the breath out of me pain.

The plus side is it doesn't last very long and once it was out, the pain quit.