Qusetion about drains

[Guest guest]

I have read several emails talking about drains. Are

these drains for both WLS and the reconstructive

surgeries after? I am wondering what they are. Thanks.

=====

Heidi Lauw

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

Every body is different, of course . . . but I believe that most folks

do not have drains with their WLS (at least, I don't recall ever talking

to one who did). Drains are, however, common with at least some types

of reconstructive surgery.

Take care,

Kay

in San Leandro

open RNY 12/1/03

Heidi Lauw wrote:

> I have read several emails talking about drains. Are

> these drains for both WLS and the reconstructive

> surgeries after? I am wondering what they are. Thanks.

>

> =====

> Heidi Lauw

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi, I had a drain after my lap RNY. It

was gross and creeped me out, but as Martha

explained, it is necessary to prevent seromas and the

complications they can cause. It was only in for a week (I was in the hospital

for 6 days after my surgery due to a bacterial infection, so mostly the nurses

took care of it. I had to take care of it for two days at the hotel –

yuck – then Dr. Tanaka removed it before he sent me on my way back home.)

- Lesa -

Re:

Qusetion about drains

Hi Heidi,

Every body is different, of course . . . but I

believe that most folks

do not have drains with their WLS (at least, I

don't recall ever talking

to one who did). Drains are, however, common

with at least some types

of reconstructive surgery.

Take care,

Kay

in San Leandro

open RNY 12/1/03

Heidi Lauw wrote:

> I have read several emails talking about

drains. Are

> these drains for both WLS and the

reconstructive

> surgeries after? I am wondering what

they are. Thanks.

>

> =====

> Heidi Lauw

[Guest guest]

I had two drains when I woke up from my WLS. One of the drains was

taken out before I was released from the hospital. The 2nd drain

was left in for another 2 days and the surgeon took it out at my

first appointment days after I was released from the hospital. (I

was staying in a hotel a block from the hosptial for those 2 days)

They weren't really too uncomfortable, especially when I took my

vicodin. LOL

The only problem I had with the drain is that after the 2nd one was

removed, it kept leaking fluids for about 24 hours. I only had

small gauze bandage patches, and I had to change those every 2

hours, until I finally was able to get home the next day where I had

some thick absorbant wound bandages. (If I had brought them, I'd

have only needed to change the bandages every 4 to 6 hours!) By

then, it had stopped draining. I advise bringing with you a few

maxi pads, they will be absorbant enough in case you have a similar

occurance. Not really a problem to worry about except to keep

yourself clean and neat.

BTW--I had those thick wound bandages left over from my

hysterectomy, where my incision was slow to heal. But then, I

weighed 60 pounds more when I had that surgery than I did when I had

my WLS. After that I got rid of all my maxi-pads; didn't need them!

--Sandi H. (Citrus Heights, Sacto County)

Surgery by Dr. Leo - 6/03/04

(Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego)

weighed 315 at orientation (May '03) -- BMI 60

252 at surgery --BMI 46.1

last weighed at 204.0 (9/11/04) -- BMI 38.5

sandiantoytrain @ yahoo . com

>

> > I have read several emails talking about drains. Are

> > these drains for both WLS and the reconstructive

> > surgeries after? I am wondering what they are. Thanks.

> >

> > =====

> > Heidi Lauw