Hi I am due to have a right sided mastectomy on the 10th Oct. I have seen lots of posts on here about post surgery drains. My local hospital tell me they haven’t used drains for 10 years. Day surgery and home without one. Lots of women on here seem to have significant build up of fluid. I was told if it becomes a problem (whatever the hell that means) I will need to go to a&e which sounds a pretty awful prospect in the days after surgery. Feeling quite anxious about it. What are your thoughts?
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I didn’t have a drain after mastectomy in June but did have a vacuum type dressing which had a drain like contraption which I had to carry around like a cross body bag. Wee nick named it wee drainy 
. Was a bit noisy and uncomfortable but removed after a week so not too bad. Good luck with your surgery x
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I had my lump removed combined with breast reduction. No drains. There were no problems.
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Hi, I had a mastectomy 4 weeks ago, and didn’t have a drain . Just a waterproof dressing. I’ve had to have fluid drained twice - but I was advised to call the breast care nurses and they made me an appointment with them to have it done. I was worried about having it done but actually I didn’t feel a thing either time and it felt better immediately 
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Hi. I had a mastectomy without a drain in April. I was told my surgeon preferred not to to reduce the risk of infection due to an open wound. I did develop a seroma, but this hasn’t needed draining. I would say it is still there very very slightly, but doesn’t cause any problems.
Wishing you all the best with your surgery and recovery.
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Would be concerned about not having a drain or equivalent. My drain was faulty and I developed a seroma which was so big the wound reopened under the pressure and my chest became infected. I ended up having to go back to hospital three times to have the liquid drawn off through aspiration. None of it was painful but I felt most unwell. I would insist on a drain or equivalent
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Hi
I had mascetomy on monday, i had a drain in over night after the op but they took it out before i left hospital. I was left with a wee buzzing compression one that i managed to keep on 5 days, they took it off on friday. Its now sunday i am seeing a bit of build of what i can kind of see as …bloody…fluid type
My advice would be take or ask for drainage, as anything that takes the fluid away is good. Also be prepaired for how tight the dressing will be, as guess they have to be. Otherwise am not feeling any pain other than tighness when moving.
Best of luck, here for you xx
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Hi there, I had a mastectomy, flat closure, no reconstruction on 21 September and discharged same day without any drains. My surgeon says she never uses them and boy was I relieved to hear that! I have not experienced any problems apart from pain and bruising which I have sorted with painkillers and arnica cream. Sending you my very best wishes Tulip29 xxx
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Thank you all for your responses, they have been very helpful. A colleague put me in touch with someone locally who I spoke with today. She had a mastectomy in the same hospital and I am now feeling more prepared for next week - or at least know what questions to ask on discharge! Xx
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