After Surgery Question in Regards to Drains

I wasn't aware mine were out. There was not only no pain but no sensation at all. Most people are relieved to have them out because they are a nuisance when bathing. Good luck with your procedure.

My doc told me to make sure I took a couple of Tylenol an hour before my appt. No pain upon removal, though it did feel very weird. Some residual tenderness afterwards, but it was such a huge relief to get them out.

Bearhitch - I agree with everyone else.  The first one - I didn't even know she'd pulled it out, but the second one hurt for a minute or so.  Either way, a little pain is a small price to pay for getting those things out,  They can be a real nuisance and I only had one on each side to deal with....  You'll do fine!

I had my first drain taken out today, still have one that is likely to be ready to come out early next week.  It feels GREAT to have one out!  I did have some quick pain which lasted for maybe 20 seconds or less.  It was an odd sensation that felt like a little whip snapped me under the arm, then the slithering feeling as she pulled out the tube.   My drainsites are in the middle of my chest between my foobs and I felt no pain or discomfort at the actual site, which is where I expected to feel it.  The PS had described it as a slight burning sensation in the skin a couple weeks ago when my DH asked if it would hurt, but I didn't feel any burning, just the snap.

I have a good friend who had a BMX with TEs 3 years ago and she had 4 drains.  Her drains were all pulled out at different times and she said she had pain with some and none with others.  She suggested I take 1/2 a pain pill beforehand, which I did, but don't think it really made a big difference because it was over with so quickly.  I may take Tylenol just in case but it's not worth taking the pain pill.  I will say that the pain was over with so quickly that I'm honestly looking forward to going back early next week to have the other drain removed.  Now that I know what it feels like, I'm not dreading it at all!  I'm seeing a very bright light at the end of this tunnel!  

Bearhitch - sarahjane73 reminded me.  I only had the two drains for my BMX - and NO drains for exchange.  YAY!  (My PS said 'I could have them if I wanted to'   - yeah no thanks....) 

I had 4 drains removed 5 days apart last month and no pain!

Hi, one of my drains was hurting me while it was in, likely from the stitch closing the hole. The drain on the other side was easy and painless to remove, the one on that side was more difficult to remove, the nurse struggled, but it was still quickly over and SUCH a relief to have these out!  I took a Tylenol beforehand, but not sure if it made much of a difference or was needed. Good luck, it will be a great milestone in your recovery!

I was scared and chatting with the nurse and she looked at me and said the first one was done!! I noticed more with the second just because I was more alert (and less afraid). It did not hurt at all. Just felt really weird. 

I just had my drain pulled a couple of hours ago and it was truly No Big Deal. It felt a little weird, but it was such a minor thing compared to the biopsies, etc.

Lugging the drain assembly around for 4 days was more irritating than anything, but still, it is all tolerable & minor on the grand scale.

After 5 weeks with one of my drains, I was doing a happy dance when my PS removed it.  I had three others and I feel like maybe one should have stayed in longer, because I ended up with swelling.  

Wow, Trazky! I don't think I've ever seen anyone have that experience before. It sounds awful. In my experience, as a nurse, most drains just slide right out with a minimum of pain and fuss. It sounds like yours was really stuck in there. Thankfully, your experience is the exception rather than the rule!