When did your drains come out?

tjh

I had my routine mammogram March 6, more pictures and ultrasound 3 days later, biopsy 3 days later, surgery the next week...it has been 1 hell of a Spring so far...I had the surgery March 26. Left masectomy with expander placed, sentinel lymph node removed. 1 drain was removed at my first post op check the other is still in and draining 30-35cc a day. How long do they stay in?

Sunflowercat

sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Nobody wants to be a member of this club. I had my drains out 4 days post op. I think they need to be under 20cc/day. It's been a while so I can't exactly recall, but maybe some of the other ladies will be along to share their knowledge and experience. I can say just from being here for a while that everyone's experience is unique as is the way their body responds. Hopefully you'll have it out soon.

Janetanned

I had one drain that seemed to be there forever.  I think it went four or five weeks.  My PS wouldn't remove it until it was producing less than 30cc/day. The others (3) were pulled as they dried up - one to three weeks.

AndreaC

I had a BMX and had two drains on each side. Three of them were pulled after 3 weeks. I still have one in and expect it to come out tomorrow (just under 4 weeks postop). That is the worst part of the recovery, in my experience...the drains.

SpecialK

Mine were pulled when they were producing under 30ml for a 24 hour period. People vary widely in production - I have had drains several times, and always lost them in about a week. Activity is tied to production, so too much can slow removal, but that varies also

tjh

We had surgery the same day....I see my PS tomorrow as well so hopefully tomorrow is the day. It is driving me nuts.

tjh

Thanks for the input....between the drain and getting tired quickly and waiting my sanity is fragile 😊

tjh

Drain is finally out....it is very good to move freely!

AndreaC

Yay tjh! I love wearing t-shirts again...and going out without worrying that a drain will come undone and fall out from under my shirt. I feel almost back to normal now (5 weeks post BMX). But chemo starts tomorrow so I will be feeling crappy again. Oh well, such is life.

CreoleGirl

I had my surgery on 3 /2 with DIEP reconstruction so I had 4 drains. Three of them were removed about 10 days after the surgery. The last one wasn't able to come out until nearly 6 weeks.

tjh

I have Oncologist appointment tomorrow to get Oncodx results to find out whether I need chemo or just hormone therapy. Take care of yourself during and after your chemo...Hugs

Debutante8

Day 20! Mine had to be under 30 for 2 days.

threecharacter

Yay for drain(s) taken out!

I had one drain for a right-side Mastect. and it was "removed" yesterday. (that is to say after it was pulled out, "you'll feel a pinch here", I almost fainted LOL).

Today had my "first" shower, and a full day of no drain---really worth the wait (13 days). Feels so good to have that little monster out.

All this to say.....you have my full compassion / sympathy when you have more than one, and it's in for weeks. Hang in there!

ksusan

Mine were something like 17 days. They never drained much--I think I was under 12 cc at most. My BS wanted to be sure I wouldn't suddenly need them as I healed.

lulu2533

Had bmx 5/19. Two drains were removed this past Wed 5/27. The last two are going to be removed next Wed 6/3. They could prob come out sooner but couldn't get an appointment before that date