Drainage Tube- what is it used for??

I was told - there will be a drainage tube used?- Why do some doctors use it and others dont. What's the advantage of having one??

My understanding is that drainage tubes get rid of blood from surgical bleeding.  The bonus is less distention of your belly.  It will already be distended from gas.  Drains can make you much MORE comfortable.  They don't feel great coming out but that is a momentary discomfort/weird feeling.  I'd rather than one than not!

Karen

I thought I was going to hate it but it came out the next morning and didn't bother me at all. It didn't bother me coming out either

I had a drain for a week.  It was pretty weird.  At first I was terrified of it.  I mean, I had a tube with a little ball thingie that held crud that was coming out of me!  I had to empty it, like 3 times a day... And I had to MEASURE what came out.. and keep track of it. 

BUT, I was happy to know that this crap wasnt just sitting around INSIDE OF ME!  It was not uncomfortable, just weird. 

When he took it out, it wasn't painful at all.  It was strange, but thats it.  Just felt like he was pulling a really long tube out of my guts... wait that was what was happening... It did NOT HURT though, trust me.  NO PAIN..... Just strange. 

My dr used my drain as a way to check for leaks while in the hospital too.  He made me eat grape popsicles and the nurse had to report if she saw any purple in the drain (she did not).  I thought that was pretty neat. 

I just had my surgery on Wed.  I had the tube in for 2 days in the hospital.  I had a good bit of pain the second day and the nurses told me it was due to the tube and when it came out I would feel much better.  they were right.  As soon as it came out I felt immediate relief.  I was not all better, but about 75 percent better.