JP drain removal

Emotional_Hubby

So my wife just called hospital to tell them that 2 out of 3 drains has been under 30ml for 2 days straight.Only one that is still above 30ml is the one for ALND .She wanted the other 2 removed and they said I as the husband can remove them.I’mpretty confident but I really don't think I should be cutting a suture and pulling drains out.Anyone ever have a spouse or caregiver remove drains.Thanks in advance

exbrnxgrl

No, but my younger dd, who loves anything medical, would have loved to do this. On a serious note, I am personally uncomfortable with the idea of doing this (the tubing was surprisingly long) but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I do not recall posts about people removing drains at home in the past 10 years but perhaps it is done under certain circumstances. Take care.

navy1305

I would definitely NOT try to do this at home. In my personal situation, I had one drain and when I was at my drain removal appointment and the surgeon tried to remove it, we discovered that my tissues had healed/grown into the mesh of the part of the drain that is inside your body and the whole thing was stuck so she had to cut me open again in order to get it out. Luckily it came out all in one piece but it was kind of a hassle. 🙄

exbrnxgrl

Emotional hubby,

Your post made me very curious because I not only don’t remember anyone pulling their own drains or having family/friends do it at home but I don’t even remember anyone asking about doing it. I did a bit of googling and found some videos, most aimed toward students in the medical field, and some other info but I found very little to indicate this is accepted practice. One doctor commented that it is rarely done and he wouldn’t recommend it.

I could be completely off base here, but please, please check with your wife’s doctor again. Take care

Spookiesmom

I had 4 drains with the bmx. One gave me trouble the whole time it was in. 3 of them came out, in dr office, no problems. That 4 was a literal pain. I screamed. Was very glad to be in his office.

I’ve never heard of doing it at home, and wouldn’t want to. Please check with dr again.

Emotional_Hubby

Ok so I definitely did not remove them myself even though I am pretty handy.Sowe went back to center today and asked about it they we're actually quite shocked that a nurse said to do it and thanked me for not listening.This is a highly respected BC center so it had me quite shook that this was said to begin with.They actually said they want her to wait atleast 7 days before any drains are taking out because of co morbidities that put my wife at a much higher chance of getting infections.Hence the reason why she has the prevena plus system on both breast also.To say the least my wife was really frustrated and disappointed on not getting rid 2 of 3 drains today even though they are only outputting 15ml a day for 48 hours.The third is still at 37ml but that's the alnd one.Thanks for the replies disaster avoided

exbrnxgrl

Emotional hubby,

I am so glad you checked! I had surgery ten years ago so I did entertain the possibility that this is now done although it raised a red flag because I have never heard of anyone doing it. Please let your wife know that they will be gone soon and it’s just a minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things.I had one drain in each side and they were pulled at 10 days. Good thing my daughter didn’t hear about possible DYI or she would have been yanking away!

typhoon

Emotional_Hubby - your wife's surgery was only two days ago, so the output from the drains could possibly change. I also had a Prevena wound vac system after my BMX, and the output from the drains was quite limited (@15-20 ml per day) during the six full days I was vacuum-packed. After the Prevena system was removed, the output went up to 30-40 ml per day/per drain for another few days, then dropped again and the drains were removed 10 days after surgery. I really detested everything about the drains, so I totally empathize with your wife's frustration. Hope she is healing well and comfortably!!

Emotional_Hubby

Yes she has calmed down about the drains now.She has the prevena vac system for 14 days.I’ve only had to change two of three wound dressings the bio patch and tegaderm stuff cause the third one is halfway under the prevena vac.I think it’s more stress about her needing help showering and other things that causes her to be upset cause she always apologizes to me while I’m helping.So anything like the drains not coming out sets her off but I always have her back and will always defend any feelings or decisions she makes or expresses.Thank you all for taking time reply as this honestly has been the toughest thing my wife and I have ever dealt with .