Question:
My biggest worry is the post-op drainage tube I was told I would have on
when discharged from the hospital. Please tell me how long it has to be attached? I would also like to know how they feed us right after surgery? — Diana M. (posted on December 29, 2001)
December 28, 2001
My G-tube was in for a full month or so (maybe even 5 or 6 weeks actually,
I don't remember) after surgery. My doctor kept it in that long because he
wants his patients on soft solids and wants to see how they tolerate them
before he takes it out. In the event our tender little stomachs don't
tolerate it well, we can be fed through the g-tube. Also, medications can
be given through the g-tube if necessary. During my first few days post
op, once they took my PCA pump away from me, I was petrified of taking
anything by mouth and opted to take my oral pain medication through my
g-tube. That only lasted a day before my doctor ordered that I wasn't
allowed to do that anymore. The g-tube didn't hurt, it was more of a
nuisence than anything else for that whole month. I had to change a
dressing on it everyday and flush it once a day with water to keep it
clean. After about 2 weeks, the hole in my stomach started to get a little
irritated. Like I said, not painful, just uncomfortable. And coming out,
it didn't hurt at all. As far as how they feed you in the hospital, well I
didn't eat for 3 days. They just kept me on IV fluids and IV aminosin
solution (protein). After the 3rd day, they started me on clear liquids
and by the 5th days I was on full liquids for 4 weeks. I know that you
don't really need to worry about "food" because our bodies can go
without for a very long time actually. We can't however, go without fluids
because dehydration can be very dangerous. I was recently admitted for a
small bowel obstruction and had to undergo emergency surgery (read my
profile for the whole story) and was without food for almost 2 full weeks.
If things had gotten worse and I wasn't able to eat, they were ready to
start me on TPN nutrition, which I quess is nutrition through an IV. Since
I didn't actually have to have it, I don't know exactly what that is. BUT,
after surgery I was able to start eating normally, in stages, so I ended up
not having to have that, THANK GOD! Anyway, sorry for the post being so
long, but this is what my doctor did. Good luck in your own journey. With
Love,
— enjo4
December 29, 2001
I'm assuming that you will have a JP drain or "Jackson-Pratt" it
will be a tube the diameter of a pencil which is stitched in through a hole
in your skin near your incision. On the end of the tube is a small ball
which would fit in the palm of you hand. Generally they squeeze all the
air out of the ball and then that causes a slight suction which gets all
the excess fluid out of your abdominal cavity. There is a valve on it to
release the pressure so you can drain it. The you just squeeze the air out
of it again and tighten the valve. It is absolutley painless and if you
tape the external part of the tube to your leg it shouldn't bother you at
all. Fortunately, mine was removed before I left the hospital. But, if I
had to come home with it...I wouldn't have minded. It didn't hurt in the
slightest coming out either. Don't worry at all :) As far as eating after
surgery...that's up to your surgeon. As for me...my surgeon is pretty
strict. 1 week clear liquid...2 weeks full liquid which includes strained
soups, pudding & yogurt. Then 2 weeks puree...applesauce, mashed
potatoes, cream of wheat, pureed meats w/ gravy (fat free) and then soft
food for 1 week...toast, scrambled egg, cheese (low fat) I am still on the
full liquid stage for another 10 days! blah! But trying to get creative
LOL. E mail me anytime If I can answer anything for you. Immediately after
surgery you will be on an IV and probably not allowed ANYTHING (even sips
of water) until day 3 after your leak check! Then it's ice chips and
popsicles until they can see you tolerate that well...then broth and jello.
— Karen B.
December 29, 2001
I had a Jackson-Pratt drain for about ten days post-op. It doesn't hurt -
they tape it up good at the opening, and then you can either tape the
bottle part to your leg or pin it to your shirt so it won't dangle. It's no
biggie. I wouldn't worry about it.
— BlueGray
January 5, 2002
I had 2 tubes when I was discharged. My JP tube came out 5 days after
surgery in the doctors office. I get my G-tube out on Monday (3 1/2 weeks
post op)- also in the doctors office. Tell you what- I have been SO
paranoid that one of the kids was gonna pull this tube out of me, or it was
gonna pop out when I stretched. But I have been told time and again that
it is in there "pretty good"- and there is nothing to worry
about. With my G-tube, I was told to flush it when I felt
uncomfortable-gassy/naseaus/etc. I was told I only had to dress it as long
as it was draining, which stopped about 7 days after surgery. I keep a
dressing on it just because it makes me feel like it is a little more
"secure". I also take some of my liquid medications through it.
The nurse told me that since it is kind of a pain in the butt to have, I
may as well take advantage of it!LOL
— Amy G.
January 5, 2002
I walk by the dresser and got the tube caught on the knob and pulled it but
good, it didn't tickle but it also didn't come out, they are in pretty
good. No need to worry
— Tina C.
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