Question about drains

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Shellybean
Shellybean Member Posts: 11
edited January 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders on 1/13/16. I have 3 drains total, 2 on the left and 1 on the right. The output has decreased significantly however the color has not changed much. They are all still red?! I can see a mix of yellow and red in the tubes but it's always red when emptied. Is this normal or should I call my surgeon

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited January 2016

    I think it's normal. But, no reason not to call your surgeon; that's what they are there for.

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  • Veronica31
    Veronica31 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2016

    I had mine in for a total of 9 days and 3 out of four were still a translucent red when I had them taken out. Good luck : )

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  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited January 2016

    It's normal. Keep an eye on the amount of drainage. If you are doing too much moving with your arms, the drainage will increase - or at least that is what I found. Try to take it easy and keep your elbows at your sides. My goal was to have the drains removed as soon as possible. Hang in there - you are only a week out from your major surgery.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2016

    I had mine 13 days and one side was red the whole time, though by the end there was almost no output. I had no problems and have healed well. But no reason not to call your surgeon just to be sure

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  • Shellybean
    Shellybean Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    Thank you for all the responses. I seem to recall one of the nurses saying it would eventually turn a straw color so I'mjust paranoid!

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited January 2016

    shellybean - I also had a MX on the 13th and my drains are the same as yours - some red and straw colored drainage in the tubes that looks mostly dark orange when mixed. Hope you are doing well otherwise.

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  • Shellybean
    Shellybean Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    I have my post op visit tomorrow, I was hopeful they might come out but now I'm not sure. As long as I stay on top of my meds I feel ok! How is your recovery coming along. Thanks for the response

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  • CariolG
    CariolG Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2016

    You drainage sounds normal. Mine went from red to orange to yellow and sometimes would go back to red/orange. It's all normal. Don't be shocked if stringy solid stuff drains too. I just got my third and final drain out today after 5 weeks. Relief!! My surgeon would only take one out per week so fluid wouldn't build up. Good luck at your post-op!!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Hi CariolG-

    Welcome to BCO! We hope you find the support you need here, and thank you for chiming in with your experiences already!

    The Mods

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