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Drain after surgery

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Posted 4/10/2012 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
My husband is 4 days post surgery (total colostomy with end ileo) and has a drain from the surgical site. It's draining fluid so it doesn't collect inside his abdominal cavity. He had a temp ileo several yrs back but I don't remember him having a drain then. Anyway, the nurse said the drain isn't removed until the output has decreased to 50cc per day. It's been draining 50 cc every 8 hrs so he may be going home with it in place, then removed at his surgical follow-up. The surgical resident who helped with his surgery came by afterwards and said that it can be removed tomorrow before we leave the hospital and it doesn't matter if there's still output. The fluid is pretty clear and doesn't look infected and removing the drain is pretty easy. We'll most likely see his surgeon tomorrow morning so we can ask her about the drain, but did anyone have a drain after their surgery, and when was it removed?
Posted 4/10/2012 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yes....they always do a drain from what I understand. I don't remember exactly how many days I had it in but it was taken out before I left the hospital.
Posted 4/10/2012 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I went home with mine still in. Had it removed 10 days post-op.
Posted 4/10/2012 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have gone home with them...and had them removed before leaving...just depended on the amount of fluid coming out.
Posted 4/10/2012 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had mine removed in the hospital. One thing that was strange -- the tube inside me was way longer than I expected. It felt weird taking it out.... not painful, just odd.

When they take it out, ask for tegaderm on top of the gauze.... I soaked through two johnnies ....
Posted 4/10/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I went home with mine - had it taken out at my 2nd post op visit.
Posted 4/11/2012 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Is it odd that I didn't have a drain?
Posted 4/12/2012 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I had two drains after my surgery: one at the junction of inner leg and butt cheek, and the other from the side of my abdomen. The one on my side stopped draining sooner than the butt cheek. I agree with blueglass when she said it felt weird upon removal. I'd say uncomfortable to say the least because I did feel it coming out and it was very long. They covered the open hole and it closed just fine in a few days.

The one in my butt cheek was removed right before I left the hospital, and they put gauze over it, but because of where it was, the gauze didn't stay on, and I had bloody liquid running down my leg for a couple of days. I actually put a maxi pad on, and that caught the side of the hole and kept the drainage at a minimum. The hole afterwards was nasty though. It was wide open because of where it was, and it didn't fully close for WEEKS. The at home nurse watched it for infection, and thankfully there were no problems.
Posted 4/12/2012 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
hi shorte, i had a drain after my second op it scared me as i thought something had gone wrong, because i didnt have one after my first, its suppose to help the healing, ihad mine removed 2 days after my surgery but everyone is different. best of luck.
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