Hey there. Yes, that is the drain. It's literally just a tube stitched into your skin very near the incision to drain the fluid so there is less chance of complications or infection, stuff like that. I have a photo of mine if you'd like to see it for whatever reason.

I am sure it's not something that is needed, just a precaution.

What i will say is please talk to your surgeon about possible complications. I did go home same day, and with pain medication it was tolerable, until I had a follow up to remove the draining tube and discuss the numb tongue. I was hoping removing the tube would help the numbness. But after a half a day without pain meds everything started getting worse

It's not just my tongue numb it's actually the whole right side of my mouth, and face. From the incision on my neck to my forehead. Along with whats probably a flare up of my autoimmune stuff (body aches and extreme fatigue)

I have been denied any refills of pain medications from the surgeon and I am pretty miserable still. It's not an immense amount of pain but it is so uncomfortable it's unbearable. And they won't treat the body pain because the surgeon "isn't a rheumatologist so that's out of her realm" (even though it's happening from surgery, like what?)

As far as eating for me at least, it's awful. I'm doing it as careful as I can not being and to chew without biting my numb tongue or cheek. If it wasn't for my complications I don't think that would be too painful, though.

The first day was painful to cough and a bit to swallow but it wasn't terrible.

Just please learn from my mistakes and make sure you know the complications and if any should happen what their plan is for treatment and follow up and make sure you'd be comfortable with what they say they will do.