Having drains out, what is it like?

christald21
christald21 Member Posts: 55
in Breast Cancer #1

HI,

    Tomorrow i will have, more than likely both drains pulled out.  It has been 10 days and i have hardly any fluid coming out, and it is mostly clear fluid anyway.. Tell me does it hurt?  It is kinda of freaking me out.

Comments

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #2
    My surgeon snipped the

    My surgeon snipped the stitches, released the air from the bulb, said she was doing it on three, but did it on two and bam, the first one was out! To me it felt like if I was tweezing my eyebrows. Piece of cake.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #3
    Nothing to it.  I did have to

    Nothing to it.  I did have to go to the DR 1-2 times a week after that for a few weeks, and he would use a fine-point needle to pull fluid he felt when he would do some pressing -- he was very thorough in making sure I was not having fluid build up.  The amount of fluid was such that it made no sense to have drains for me to have to mess with.

    The process was painless -- slight tugs.  I was -- still am numb -- all across my scars and so pain, even with the later aspirations, was none existant. 

    Hope this allays your concerns.

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #4
    Drain Removal

    Stop freaking out. Drain removal was one of the least bothersome of the MANY procedures I had during my diagnosis and treatment. The stitches were removed and the drain was pulled out. All I really felt was a very weird tugging sensation. It does take a little while for the holes to heal and scar over. That's all there is to it. Good luck.

    IRENE

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #5
    jessiesmom1 said:

    Drain Removal

    Stop freaking out. Drain removal was one of the least bothersome of the MANY procedures I had during my diagnosis and treatment. The stitches were removed and the drain was pulled out. All I really felt was a very weird tugging sensation. It does take a little while for the holes to heal and scar over. That's all there is to it. Good luck.

    IRENE

    Agree with the others - no big deal

    I had drains on both sides after my mastectomy earlier this year, and completely agree with the others here -- all I felt was a quick pull on each side, and they were out.

    The only thing I will say is that some people get a bit freaked out when they see the sheer length of the tubing that comes out -- I've heard a report or two of husbands almost passing out.  So, if you're squeamish, I'd advise you to just close your eyes until the surgeon is all done.  That's what I did, and it was really no big deal.

    Traci

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #6
    TraciInLA said:

    Agree with the others - no big deal

    I had drains on both sides after my mastectomy earlier this year, and completely agree with the others here -- all I felt was a quick pull on each side, and they were out.

    The only thing I will say is that some people get a bit freaked out when they see the sheer length of the tubing that comes out -- I've heard a report or two of husbands almost passing out.  So, if you're squeamish, I'd advise you to just close your eyes until the surgeon is all done.  That's what I did, and it was really no big deal.

    Traci

    Ditto

    I was so excited to be getting the tubes removed and didn't think about pain. There really was none though. I was told to relax and close my eyes.  You'll be fine!

  • christald21
    christald21 Member Posts: 55
    #7
    Thank you ladies

    Just had my drains pulled out!!!  it was nothing at all, the nurse was awesome, she had me talking about Christmas the whole time she was done without me knowing. I felt just a little tweek and very little pulling...  It looks like next week i might have my first expansion.  My surgeon even put my mind at ease about the radiation i will be having.   I just keep my fingers crossed that i will only have to have radiation in the armpit!

    Thank you ladies for alll the kind words of encouragement!

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    #8
    Not too bad

    Glad it went well for you! I had my second out today and it was no big deal. Slight discomfort and then it was over.

  • LouisaP
    LouisaP Member Posts: 62
    #9
    twnkltoz said:

    Not too bad

    Glad it went well for you! I had my second out today and it was no big deal. Slight discomfort and then it was over.

    I had my last drain out last

    I had my last drain out last week. That was 3 weeks out from mastectomy. Today I was bending a lot & all of a sudden there was a stream of fluid coming out of the drain hole. I wasn't wearing a shirt so it poured out onto the floor. The Dr had told me to not use my arm so much on that side. But I've been doing all my normal stuff. Didn't listen to him, lol.Embarassed

    I put my pressure bandages on & actually had to change a few of them every hour! But now I've had one on for some hours now & it's not looking wet uner the tape. I will put my sling back on to remind me not to use my arm so much tomorrow. He said this fluid is coming from the sentinel node removal. I'm glad it came out & didn't stay in & cause problems. I was just surprised when that stream started pouring out.

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    #10
    LouisaP said:

    I had my last drain out last

    I had my last drain out last week. That was 3 weeks out from mastectomy. Today I was bending a lot & all of a sudden there was a stream of fluid coming out of the drain hole. I wasn't wearing a shirt so it poured out onto the floor. The Dr had told me to not use my arm so much on that side. But I've been doing all my normal stuff. Didn't listen to him, lol.Embarassed

    I put my pressure bandages on & actually had to change a few of them every hour! But now I've had one on for some hours now & it's not looking wet uner the tape. I will put my sling back on to remind me not to use my arm so much tomorrow. He said this fluid is coming from the sentinel node removal. I'm glad it came out & didn't stay in & cause problems. I was just surprised when that stream started pouring out.

    Oops! I did take it easy for

    Oops! I did take it easy for a day or so after they came out, but after that I didn't worry about it and haven't had any problems. 

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
    no experince, so no

    no experince, so no advice..just hugs

     

    Denise

  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #12
    disneyfan2008 said:

    no experince, so no

    no experince, so no advice..just hugs

     

    Denise

    stitches

    I had my stitches out today and it was a piece of cake.  i too had myself all worried but it was easy and the nurse was great. Two weeks since my surgery and I really had hoped to get drain pulled but the nurse asked me to wait one more day.  I think she wanted to let mastectomy incision cool down and she promised we could take the drain out tomorrow. 

    I really appreciate this thread because I have been inventing lots of silly pain scenarios for the drains......thanks

    mags

Discussion Boards