Drain Holders

I had my drains for a week.  My surgeon ordered me a special camisole before surgery and it was at the hospital for me after my surgery.  It was like a loose fitted tank top with a velcro close front (down the front) and it had little pockets on the inside to hold the drains.  Once the drains were out I wore tank tops with a little shelf bra in them or plain fitted tank tops.  I was able to put them on feet first and pull them up over my hips and chest - it was easier than going overhead to get them on.  I am 4 weeks out and have had 2 fills now and getting another fill tomorrow.  I still wear tanks/shelf bra tanks and some Fruit of the Loom fitness bras that have thin bra straps - they are not racer back fitness bras (Walmart had them 3 for $10). I wear those under my clothes because I just feel more comfortable but I guess I don't really need them as my boobs aren't moving around anywhere.  I cannot wear any regular bras with cups/wires as my TE are more to the outside towards arm pits and they don't hit the cups right.  As far as how the the TE look  - in clothes they look fine.  No one would notice anything.  Naked or in just a tank top, they look a little uneven - FYI.  Good luck with your surgery.  It was not that bad for me.....I feel great and am 4 weeks out today!

Poucharoo is a post mastectomy drain holder that holds up to 4 drains.  No sizing is needed, fits sizes from 2 to 5XL, holds drains securely, and comes with a tote bag.  Poucharoo is the only patented  pouch style drain belt.  Poucharoo has been used by thousands of women and makes recovery easier. Poucharoo is the least expensive drain holder and the only one that fits all and comes with a tote bag.  Poucharoo was given free to all those who contacted me prior to my joining with FORCE(facing our cancer empowered)now proceeds will help support the organization.--

I got the mastectomy camis, the Pink Pockets, and all sorts of tops with pockets for my drains.

Then I had my BMX w/TEs and woke up with a GIANT ace bandage wrapped around me from my armpits almost to my waist. Good thing, too, as it completely covered up the places where the drain tubes exited my body so they never moved on me.

After all that, I just pinned my drains to my Ace bandage with cute diaper pins. (Less likelihood of them coming undone.) I was in that bandage for a week, until my one-week post op appointment, when the PS did the unveiling, said I was healing well, changed the Xeroform dressing on top of the incisions, and wrapped me back up in a new giant Ace bandage!

Had to keep the drains in for 2 weeks, and couldn't shower during that time. The diaper pins were all I used and they worked fine.

I had a UMX 2/23 and prior to surgery got a post op cami from a local medical supply store. They got a rx from my surgeon and it was covered by insurance. I love it. 6 weeks post op I am still wearing it and even bought a second one. It is very comfortable. It comes with drain pouches that are held in place with Velcro and fiberfill forms that slid in a pocket so you look like you have a boob. I too had an ace bandage for the first week, but wore the cami after that. The one I got was Amoena #2105.

I used a vera bradley sling bag....it was perfect to hold my drains (and my phone!) 

I found the post mx bras etc awkward because the drains were on my front. I wore a button up shirt and put the drains in a small side purse that I wore.... Kept them out Of my way!!

I bought a handful of really inexpensive tank tops, and safety pinned the drains to the front, then wore an open ove-sized button down shirt to hide them.   My BMX was in September, so when it started to get a little chilly, I wore an over-sized zipper sweatshirt outside. 

And after the drains were gone, I actually contined dressing like that, because it hid the fact that I was in the process of having my TE's filled, but at least the tank tops gave a pop of color.

I used two passport holders (Lewis & Clark) that I got from amazon (about $5 each). They are all cloth and have adjustable length neck strings. Put them on under my clothes & put 2 J&P drains in each one. I usually wear M or S sized tops, we had bought XL for recovery from BMX - the drain holders weren't visible to others when out and about.

I diaper-pinned the drains to my bra when sleeping.

No showers until 3 days after last drains out - so can't help you there.

My surgeons thought I'd come up with an inexpensive and useful solution. (honestly, drain managment had me really freaked out before the surgery) 

I'm not quite sure how I came upon this thread, but had a friend tell me about about another approach she really liked.  It's called Shower Pockets.  Goes around the neck and is very lightweight ....holds up to 4 drains.  Leaves hands free and makes showering carefree without worrying about stretching the drains too far.  .OUCH!  Drains are such a pain, so glad to be past that stage. 

My friend says they can be used for other things once done with surgery stage.  She takes them to the gym to hold shampoo etc.  I could picture putting things in them when cleaning the house that need to get put back in place.

http://www.showerpocketsinc.com/