JP drain removal- what to expect

AllYouNeedIsLove · March 2015

Tomorrow is 7 days post surgery (mastectomy on left side). My drain is stripped "milked" twice per day and either at 10cc or below each time. My Doctor said the drain will probably be removed tomorrow. Any advice before? I heard to take some pain pills before the appointment just in case, and to make sure the suction is released. I am so nervous this will be extremely painful because I am so thin and you can see the tube under my skin as if it were a snake. It freaks me out!!

WinningSoFar · March 2015

I've had these drains removed a couple of times and it didn't hurt at all. Hope the same for you.

fluffycats · March 2015

I didn't even know my drain had been removed until I saw the surgeon walking to the trash with it.

GrammyR · March 2015

Yep you will feel the tug but all over in seconds . I didn't take a pain pill and expected it to be much more of a deal than it was.

mjh1 · March 2015

You may feel a little pinch as he unsnips the stitches that are holding the drain in place, but other than that it doesn't hurt at all and is over in a few seconds. However, I wouldn't recommend looking down as he's doing it. The drain inside you is longer than you think and does look like a snake is crawling under your skin as he's pulling it out. I had my eyes closed but my sister was watching and almost passed out. Good luck! You will be so relieved when they finally out..

GG27 · March 2015

I did take 2 tylenol as recommended by the RN who came to look at them the day before removal. She said only because I had had them in for so long, 4 1/2 weeks. But they didn't hurt at all, but it was kind of a freaky feeling as they were pulled out, I could feel something under my skin, but definitely did not hurt. GG

exbrnxgrl · March 2015

Hope this gives you a laugh. I am a chicken with a capitalC. I not only took Advil but I took an ativan on the way to my doctor's office (dd was driving). The doctor and his PA prepared to remove the drains. They told me to cough on the count of three. Well, I coughed and kept coughing. Suddenly I realized that dd, doc and PA were all laughing. I stopped and asked when they were going to remove the drains. I already did, responded the doc. I felt nothing and they were all entertained by my over the top coughing. Don't worry, it will all be over before you can cough.

Mel0rama · March 2015

put me down as another person who was a little bit concerned and it was a piece of cake! I had mine for about six weeks and was so EXCITED the day I got them out. I will not tell you the nicknames I had for each one of them, for fear I may get kicked out of this form. :-) Unfortunately, a friend who is a PA, told me that it was extremely painful. To have them removed, which is really the only thing the cost my concern. I have no idea where that came from, because I felt literally nothing except the slithering.

Just an FYI, in case this helps you. I actually had a couple pantiliners in my purse, and I used those inside of my bra instead of using gauze taped my skin to capture the "post drain removal ooze." Worked like a champ and was much easier than messing with tape/gauze/bandages.

Good luck! I was so happy to get those damn things out!!!

Beachbum1023 · March 2015

The drain removal is a piece of cake. I thought it tickled, it was super quick, and I had fresh clean shower on my mind.......I couldn't get home fast enough to get in a nice warm shower. Worth it!

Leah_S · March 2015

JacsChristine, as you can see from all the replies, for the majority of people it doesn't hurt.

Unfortunately, I was in the minority. My recommendation is that you take an OTC painkiller beforehand. The first surgery I had it was painful, the second I took something and didnt feel it. It's not worh stressing and worrying over but it is possible.

Best of luck.

Leah

Ariom · March 2015

Hi JacsChristine, I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I had one large drain, which took a bit of effort, from the Nurse to remove. I didn't take anything, before the removal and it was, a bit uncomfortable, but it was quick and the relief, when that thing was gone, was just incredible. LOL

I'd say, it can't hurt to take something, if you feel you want to. Like everything, this is fear of the unknown, but you'll do fine.

Bippy625 · March 2015

Hi, I had three drains, one hurt but only for a millisecond.

The other two, no worries, felt odd but not painful. It is over so quickly, you will do fine. I took a valium as I,was nervous, but it was no problem. Congrats on the removal!!!

farmerlucy · March 2015

No pain here either. I didn't watch but I did want to see what they looked like. The drains reminded me of the French drains one puts in landscaping to help with drainage. I thought it was very interesting

AllYouNeedIsLove · March 2015

Thank you all! I had mine out yesterday, and have to say... I felt pain when they removed it! My tissue started to adhere to the tube inside one part of my chest and the PA had to give it an extra tug to get it loose. I then felt an extreme burning sensation for about 3 to 4 minutes afterwards in that area. It only lasted a very short time, so I will not freak for the 2nd part of my surgery later this year (now that I know what to expect) Thank you all for your experiences! I am so glad the drain is out!!

eaglemom · April 2015

I had my last drain removed today. The other 2 were removed in hospital last Wednesday before I checked out. Those 2 hurt a little as they came out. The nurse told me to inhale and then exhale as she was pulling them. The first nurse that was going to pull them was not so experienced and didn't know how hard she needed to pull, so asked the second one to help. I was prepared for the same amount of pain or possibly a little more since the last one had been in longer when my surgeon pulled it this morning. I was pleasantly surprised that it hurt less. He didn't even tell me to breath or when he was pulling it. He was just quick and confident and it was over. Yay! I'm happy to be drain free as well :-)

Luckydog42 · April 2015

My first drain hurt a lot! It was like a shock to my body, similar to getting my legs waxed. It only hurt for a second.

A week later, I was so worked up about getting the second drain out, thinking it would hurt even more since it had been in my body longer. I actually did not feel a thing!

tjh · April 2015

My first drain hurt a little when they snipped the stitches. 4 1/2 weeks later the second is finally coming out...I will be very happy. I will take a muscle relaxer and Advil but only because she is filling my TE as well.

knittingPT · May 2015

When my drain was removed, I felt it "slither" under the skin and then a very, quick sharp pain right at the very end. That pain ended as quickly as it began and BOOM I felt soooooooo much better. I didn't really realize how much of the "pain" and limited motion was really the drain poking me. Once it was out I was able to move my arm much better (still very limited range but not as painful).

Mommy2Six · May 2015

I'm also thin and could feel and see the drains beneath the skin. When mine were removed, o felt a searing pain for 5 seconds and then almost complete relief.

JP drain removal- what to expect

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