- About Gallstones
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Questions and Complications
- About Hiatal Hernia
- Diagnosis and Testing
- Diagnosis Q and A
- Non-Surgical Treatment Options
- Treatment Options: Medication
- Anti-Reflux Surgery
- When Is Surgery Necessary?
- Complications During Surgery
- Surgery
- Surgery Side Effects and Failure Rate
- General Preoperative Instructions
- Postoperative Expectations
- Postoperative Expectations: What to Expect at Home
- What is a Hernia?
- Anti-Reflux Surgery
- Appendectomy
- Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)
- Ventral Hernia
- About Inguinal Hernias
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Patient Education
- Recovering from Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: Patient Guide
- Recovering from Open Hernia Repair: Patient Guide
- Patient Guide: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Patient Guide: Incisional, Umbilical and Ventral Hernias
- Patient Guide: Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Patient Guide: Achalasia
- Patient Guide: Diseases of the Spleen and Splenectomy
- Dietary Guidelines
- Activity Guidelines
- About Steroids
- Achalasia
- About the Spleen
- When to Contact Us
About Surgical Drains
During the operation, a drain may have been left at the surgical site. This is to drain fluid that accumulates for the first few days after surgery. Fluid that is not drained will form a collection known as a seroma. Seromas present as painful swelling of the incisional area that may be slightly red. The treatment is aspiration in the office. If you develop a seroma, call the office.
Drain care
The drain itself is easy to manage. It has a bulb at the end with a flip tap to open it. At least once a day, or when the bulb is full , open the flip tab and empty it into a measuring container. It is important to note how much drainage there is each day so we can determine when to remove it. When you are done emptying it, simply squeeze the bulb and replace the flip top. This creates a gentle suction that drains fluid from the wound.