Drains Is this normal?

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1

Hi all

I was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer with negative sentinal lymph nodes. On 8th March had mastectomy with immediate expander recon with dermal flap.
I was discharged on 10th March with drain still in.
I am still draining about 120ml a day. This is really getting me down. Am just wondering if this is normal. Dressing clinic don’t seem to concerned.
Just need some reassurance really.
Thanks
Kellyxxxx

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I dont know im afraid but this will bump it up so that someone who does know may answer. I had heard the more you drain the less likely of lymphodeama.

3

Judyduddy, I had my surgery in November , I had 2 drains one was removed before I left hospital at 5 days, but the other continued to drain 100 - 150ml per day till it came out at day 10.
I did have some swelling after the drain came out but not enough to qualify as a seroma. It took about 6 weeks to settle, however my armpit still feels a bit weird as have some nerve damage due to node clearance.
Pat

4

Hi Kelly
I had two drains in when I came home six weeks ago and was told they could only come out when they were under 50ml and then they took them out after a week but I didn’t have a recon.

Hope this helps, Dee x

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Not surprised it’s getting you down Kelly, those drains are painful, poking into your side. Hopefully though it means less hassle with seroma (accumulation of fluid under scar) and less chance of lymphodema. Hang in there, and make sure you have something good planned for when they finally come out. xx

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Thanks all for replies.
I guess as with all aspects of BC I will have to be patient.
Keep looking forward KellyXXXX

7

I had a WLE and ANC and came home with one drain in. After 7 days it was still draining over 100ml so they released the valve and it had dropped to about 20ml the next day so they took it out. They told me that they don’t like to leave them in for longer than eight days due to the risk of infection but from reading an American website they often leave them in for two weeks or longer over there, so I wouldn’t worry as long as the Dr is happy.

I know it’s a pain having it in so I’m not surprised you’re fed up - it’s one more thing we didn’t sign up for!!

Best of luck,

Jane xxx

8

Hi there! I had MX and immediate recon last November and came home with a drain in. I know how you’re feeling, lugging that thing around - not nice. Mine was in for about 11 days altogether and was still draining just under 100ml when the district nurse took it out as they didnt’ want to leave it in too long due to the risk of infection. The nurse did say that the body would absorb most of the liquid and if it didn’t, they would use a syringe to drain it if needed (sounds yuk, but it would be better than the drain). Luckily, it didn’t. I did find though that it slowed down when I rested - are you doing too much!!

Hope this helps. Won’t be long now.

Rachelx