Excessive Drainage after Mastectomy

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  • Chemist
    Chemist Member Posts: 33
    edited September 2016

    Just as a point of interest: It seems that post-surgical treatments can vary quite a bit. I had BMX + AND 19 days ago, and 1 drain is still in (ugh ugh ugh). But I'm not on antibiotics, and the surgeon encourages me to do gentle stretches (even raising my arm above my shoulder--which I don't, because it hurts alot), and to do normal types of activities within moderation. He also says that chest compression is optional--only valuable if it makes me more comfortable. He says compression won't reduce my drainage. My surgery was done at a major cancer center. I bring this all up because other folks on this thread have said they're on antibiotics to prevent drain-related infections, they're encouraged to keep their arm motionless at waist-level, and they're using compression to reduce drainage. Not saying which is right or wrong, just saying that there seems to be a wide range of medical opinion.

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  • Georgetteoden
    Georgetteoden Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2016

    just a data point: I had a right mastectomy with one lymph node removed on September 30, 2016. There's a tissue expander in there and I've had one, 100cc fill up with air so far. I've had the one drain in since day one and still it's hovering around 60-75ml a day and I'm going crazy. No compression, no antibiotics. I put myself on bed rest yesterday thinking it would help but no, not a bit.

    Effing hate this. ;)

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

    Hi Georgette-

    We wanted to welcome you to our community here at BCO! We're sorry for the drain issues, and we don't blame you for hating this one bit. Hopefully things start to turn around, and you can have the drain removed and get on with your healing soon!

    The Mods

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  • cb1d
    cb1d Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2017

    Hi wcts17! I am especially interested in your story, because of the lengthy drain time. I had a unilateral mx to remove Dcis and a onestage implant on May 16, 2017. One drain was installed, and I still have it - 7weeks and 2 days later 😕. My drainage volumn has decreased with an up and down pattern, doesn't seem to be related to activity. I have not been overactive. Two days ago I thought the end was in sight, 29ml for 12 hrs, followed by 11ml (total 40), then total for next day was 69ml, followed by 39 this morning..... I am anxious to get back to work, but want no problems with lymphadema.

    I am empathetic to your situation, and know that your experience was much worse than mine is. I would like to know the end of your drainage story and if you have any words of encouragement for me. Thank yo


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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited July 2017

    Hi cb1d, this is an old thread and you may not get responses from the folks who started it.

    Seven weeks is a bit excessive but it happens. I had mine for five weeks at which point my PS said the drains were coming out no matter what, she was concerned about infections. I had no problems once the drains were removed. What does you PS say?

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  • Grotonmom15
    Grotonmom15 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    I was told that if you were larger to begin with you will likely have drains in longer. I was an A cup and my 2 drains were out within 2 weeks. They also used aloderm for my reconstruction with expanders. I was told that also contributed to an increase in drainage. I did have some drainage accumulate after the drains came out, even though they were not removed until i had <20cc in 2 24 hour periods. They aspirated 75 out of one side. Its getting better with compression. They aspirated 27cc from the other side, and compression on that now too. Im heading back in a few days to see how it is all working. I you have drains in or fluid buildup you need an antibiotic to prevent infection. I am learning a lot but still trying to rest and see if this fluid buildup can slow down...

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  • joanconnors123
    joanconnors123 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2018

    I was wondering. I have been vomiting all day after my drains were pulled in both breast after breast cancer augmentation. Could this be due to excessive fluid

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2018

    joanconnors-definitely call your surgeon.

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