Drain tubes making me anxious

I didn’t have drain pull out but my drainage rate went up and down for 3 weeks before they finally reached the level where they could come out. It’s hard to believe none of the docs in your area couldn’t replace that tubing. Many surgeries require drains and surely at least general surgeon could have helped. So sorry you’re dealing w this. When drains do come out the relief is beyond words. Best of luck.

I had a simple (single) mastectomy with a drain this past summer. When the seepage finally diminished to where the drain could be removed, I went to the hospital for the procedure. As he started the removal, the surgeon said "most women say this feels really weird." Then he jerked it out really hard and it HURT. I would swear that he grinned -- I just caught a glimpse of his face as he ducked his head. He said nothing about the pain, which was really awful. No explanation, no apology, no nothing. The pain diminished slowly over a couple of weeks. That was in August. Now it's end of December and I still have mild occasional pain in my side where the drain was. As a consequence, I'm now afraid to go back to any surgeon or doctor at that "integrated managed care consortium." I strongly recommend talking with your surgeon about what to expect when it's time to remove your drain. If possible, you might consider asking for local anesthetic.

I second what yogathyme said about the fact that even a general surgeon should know how to deal with drains. I will tell you a story that might put a little smile on your face, but please have it checked by a local surgeon.

I had one drain on each side after my bmx. My younger dd, fascinated by all things medical, came with me when the drains were pulled. My surgeon and his PA were each going to remove a side simultaneously. The doctor said to cough hard several times, so I did. Then, since no one said to stop coughing, I kept coughing until I realized that everyone else was laughing hysterically. Apparently, I was so focused on coughing that I never noticed that both drains had been swiftly and painlessly removed! No pain, no drains