Drains!!

[Keelybelle]

I had LD Flap and Implant recon 2 weeks ago. I had 4 drains in initially. 2 were removed on day 3 and I was discharged on day 5 after having 1 drain out. I was shown by nurse how to empty the drain myself and measure the output which I had to note and report when I returned to hospital for check up.
My final drain was removed in day 10. I've been given lots of advice on what to look out for in terms of seroma etc.
I'm feeling physically ok. Stiff and tender but otherwise nothing else to note. I'm heading back to work next week. I only do 6 hour days so will be doing half days next week and see how I feel after that. I still can't drive but it's only 2 weeks and I've limited movement at the moment but with my exercises I'm getting better day by day.

[Gingernut1]

Thanks for advice. RE bras I will look into this.

Glad the implant is fine. I realise that it will get some taking used to. As long as the results look good I will be happy.xx

[Kiki2]

You do have to avoid lifting anything heavy for quite a long time. I'm right handed too and had left side which was an advantage as stiffness under arm still exists a bit. The implant is fine, the result is good and it no longer twinges or hurts so I am not aware of it all the time like you are for about the first year! The skin over it is still numb and always will be but I'm glad I had it done as in clothes you cannot tell at all. Have even worn a bikini since! I still don't wear underwired bras any more though as I find they dig in. Get yourself some comfy bras before you go in as you have to wear one 24/7 for the first 2 weeks. Xx

[Gingernut1]

Thanks for reply. It is useful to know that there is after care when you leave hospital. Thanks also about other advice re building upright time and exercise. I will certainly do the arm exercises.

I am right handed and the mascetomy wil be on the left side. It probably means that I will have to be careful lifting things right handed for a while I estimated a period of 6 week to be work ready which may be on the conserative side of things. Someone said it is a question of listening to your body.

How is implant now 2 years on.

[Kiki2]

I had an mx with immediate recon with implant 2 years ago. I had 2 drains in hospital, was in 2 nights and they removed one before I came home. I was given a little bag to carry it around in which meant I could still move about, go to the loo, make a cup of tea etc. The nurse called each day to check on me and change it if necessary, and then she removed it after what I think was 7 days. 

Take it very steady, you will need to stay reclined a lot as when you are upright it pulls on the chest wall muscle. Build up your upright time gradually and then begin to walk a little further each day after a couple of weeks. It took me 8.5 weeks to be ready to go back to work on a phased return. Make sure you do the exercises they give you once you are given the all clear to do so, as it really helps you to get the mobility back in your arm. I hope all goes well with your op, if you want to know anything else about it please don't hesitate to ask. Nic xx

[Gingernut1]

Hi there

I am due to have a  left sided mascetomy with immeadiate implant reconstruction. I was told that I would have a drain which I am very likely to go home with. I live alone and find managing the drain daunting especially when there could be problems e.g infections, leakage etc

Has anyone had that problem being home alone with a drain or two to manage.

[Looby52]

I had theraputic mammoplastic on Tuesday, came home next day with one drain in breast. I had to go back to hospital the next day due to bleeding. It was decided the drain would be removed because I had less than 10mls from the previous evening. Hope that is helpful.x

[jillybee]

that sounds normal, can be removed 7-10 days, sounds very healthy to me!!! take care.

[Bunnybear]

I had right side mx with immediate recon with strattice on Thursday. Sent home following day with one drain. So far I'm getting about 150 mls a day. Have been told to expect it to remain for up to two weeks (poss longer) and they won't remove until I have two consecutive days of 35 mls or less xx

[Rexi]

I had only 1 drain after lumpectomy and full axillary node clearance and produced loads of fluid. The surgeon wanted to see 30ml within 24h to take them out, hopefully on day 3/4 and let me go home. Nobody mentioned to let me go home with the drains in place.
After day 4 I still produced 70+ mls. Day 5 I had even more but I was told the drains are coming out and I could go home, the body needs to figure out to deal with the fluid.
I know of others who had full node clearance and no drains at all.

The Seroma developed slowly but surely and 2 weeks later I was not happy anymore. The BC nurse who saw me said she couldn't see a real Seroma issue. Apparently there were worse.
4 days later I was feeling unwell, started a temp and actually developed an infection, ended up in hospital for a week over Xmas - on intravenous antibiotics.
They did drain the Seromas on 2 days during that time and collected 750ml! The latter was all infected. The same BC nurse did admit that it was more than she anticipated. Apparently it was in many Seroma pockets, and deeper under the skin than she seen before.

I have another lymphnode op coming up, I think I will want any drains longer, every body is different, and push for proper check ups. I don't want to experience that again.
On the other hand, I will probably follow what I am being told by the medical professionals ...

Regine

[Tracy1967]

As mentioned this is normal. My drains were in for a total of 10 days as my surgeon says 10ml in 24 hours as I has strattice with the implant. I had a bmx, had 6 drains in after the operation and came home 2 days later with 4. They drove me mad but I understand now this was for the best as it stopped the swelling and infection. I've had no probs since drains were removed, just a little tender etc. good luck with your recovery and remember to do the exercises as they certainly help XXX

[megsmum]

Perfectly normal my surgeon likes there to be less than 50ml in 24hrs, i had one in for 12 days after recon and still developed a seroma when it came out 🙀

[shazmos]

Hello everyone.

I had a left sided mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction on Wednesday and was aloud home today with 2 drains in. 1 going to the breast and 1 from the lymph node I had removed.

In 24 hours I'm still losing 60mls from one and 100mls from the other.

I just wanted to check with you ladies that had been through this if this is still quite normal and when I should expect it to slow down a bit and how long after surgery are they usually removed.

Won't see anyone now until Monday unless emergency.

Thanks

Sharon