Hi alli had a mastectomy on right breast and auxiliary clearance three weeks ago Wednesday. First drain out no issues. Second drain removed earlier than should have been as it was sitting on a nerve. I was still getting 250-300 ml a day. Been to see surgeon once to get it drained. Needed to get it done again last Friday but could only see gp. She hadn’t done it before so tried three times. Third time lucky but didn’t get it all. I am phoning surgeon first thing tmrw to get it done tmrw ( holiday here today). I still have lots of fluid and now it feels like it has hardened in some spots. I’m swollen And in pain. Having trouble coping with all this tonite. Has anyone had this? The actual mastectomy was fine but I have had issue after issue from aux clearance. It’s all overwhelmed me right now.

Hi @Lisa_E66 If you are having ongoing problems (I had them too, and I won;t tell you how long it went on for) ask your surgeon to write a referral to your local radiology dept and get it done under ultrasound. Ask him to OK one of his minions to fire off another referral (or another dozen) as you need them. It's bad enough without having someone inexperienced jabbing away at you --which only increases the risk of infection . I'd use that as the rationale to get it done by a professional.Never feel shy about asking if someone has the appropriate experience/training to perform a procedure. And refuse to let them practice on you if you don't believe they are competent.

Thanks again everyone. All drained and specialist has put plans in place for any further requirements. You ladies are incredible xx

I am so sorry - I can feel your frustration and how uncomfortable and worried you are. I didn’t have any drainage problems but I know lots of ladies do - my aunt was having to have fluid build - up drained for 6 weeks after surgery. It does settle eventually but the risk is infection not to mention doing your head in. Have you been in touch with your breast care nurse? They can usually get the ball rolling to sort things out or give advice on what you can do. I hope you get some relief and answers tomorrow.

Hi. Sounds like a call to your breast care nurse would help clarify your situation. Have you had a nurse contact you? Hope you can chat with someone soon. Take care.

Hi @Lisa_E66, I had repeated fluid build up in the axillary area after the drain came out. First time the surgeon took off a bit, when it built up and was very sore and tense I went to the hospital ED and after a call to my BS I was sent to have it drained under ultrasound guidance. This was quick and you could see all fluid was removed. Sample sent to check for infection. This happened again once more and then it settled.I would be concerned if you thought there was any sign of infection? Is your temperature ok is there any redness at the drain or sites where the needles went in, how bad is the pain? If you aren’t sure I would suggest ED or medical opinion tonight. Can you call the ward you were on? If public patient there are residents and registrars about. If private, they usually have a doctor at least on phone cover. Some private hospitals have an ED that will cover their own post op patients as well.Does the surgeon themselves have a person on cover you could ring? It’s a hard call on a Public holiday but better to be safe and hopefully more comfortable as well.Hope this gets better soon. Lots of love Tinks xx

Drainage am I going crazy?

ddon
Member
5 years ago
I am so sorry - I can feel your frustration and how uncomfortable and worried you are. I didn’t have any drainage problems but I know lots of ladies do - my aunt was having to have fluid build - up drained for 6 weeks after surgery. It does settle eventually but the risk is infection not to mention doing your head in. Have you been in touch with your breast care nurse? They can usually get the ball rolling to sort things out or give advice on what you can do. I hope you get some relief and answers tomorrow.
OmaRose
Member
5 years ago
Hi. Sounds like a call to your breast care nurse would help clarify your situation. Have you had a nurse contact you? Hope you can chat with someone soon. Take care.
Tinks
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Lisa_E66, I had repeated fluid build up in the axillary area after the drain came out. First time the surgeon took off a bit, when it built up and was very sore and tense I went to the hospital ED and after a call to my BS I was sent to have it drained under ultrasound guidance. This was quick and you could see all fluid was removed. Sample sent to check for infection. This happened again once more and then it settled.

I would be concerned if you thought there was any sign of infection? Is your temperature ok is there any redness at the drain or sites where the needles went in, how bad is the pain?

If you aren’t sure I would suggest ED or medical opinion tonight. Can you call the ward you were on? If public patient there are residents and registrars about. If private, they usually have a doctor at least on phone cover. Some private hospitals have an ED that will cover their own post op patients as well.

Does the surgeon themselves have a person on cover you could ring?

It’s a hard call on a Public holiday but better to be safe and hopefully more comfortable as well.

Hope this gets better soon.

Lots of love Tinks xx
Locksley
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Lisa_E66, I am so sorry to hear you are in such pain. I reckon the mastectomy part is also the easier part of this process. The draining tubes are so heavy and painful. How did you get on, did you get to ring Breast care nurse, surgeon, or pop into emergency department? Sending Hugs xxx
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Lisa_E66
If you are having ongoing problems (I had them too, and I won;t tell you how long it went on for) ask your surgeon to write a referral to your local radiology dept and get it done under ultrasound. Ask him to OK one of his minions to fire off another referral (or another dozen) as you need them. It's bad enough without having someone inexperienced jabbing away at you --which only increases the risk of infection . I'd use that as the rationale to get it done by a professional.
Never feel shy about asking if someone has the appropriate experience/training to perform a procedure. And refuse to let them practice on you if you don't believe they are competent.
ChezaH
Member
5 years ago
HI so sorry to hear your problems. Yes I would ring the BC nurse, as when I rang mine and she wasn't in i was put straight through to the surgeon. Hope it has settled down for you. I was lucky as I had a medical nurse come to home and measure the amount and then take the drain out.
sending hugs xx
Lisa_E66
Member
5 years ago
Hi everyone and thank you so much for your comments. I am seeing surgeon shortly to get it drained but am going to speak to him about getting someone else details that I can contact or the referral letter. Unfortunately my breast care nurse is not a great help - hVent heard from her sincemastectomy. But I do know a nurse who used to be the breast care nurse and she is helping me a bit. Thanks again everyone. I feel better in my head today too which makes a big difference xxxx
Lisa_E66
Member
5 years ago
Thanks again everyone. All drained and specialist has put plans in place for any further requirements. You ladies are incredible xx
Tinks
Member
5 years ago
so pleased to hear! I remember how much better it felt after being drained. Sleep was possible for a start. 😉lots of love Tinks xx
Caz1
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Lisa_E66 just saw this so a bit late to the convo. Had awful trouble with drains, first one I came home from hospital with fell out, then I got a seroma which had to be drained multiple times including some under ultrasound.Long story, ended up in hospital for 12 days on a drip with cellulitis which was pretty awful. Came home with another drain,turns out it wasn’t draining a pocket of seroma that built up like a Mini volcano and seeped all on its own. Kind of good, surgeon was happy with that but needed home nurses for dressing. It’s been a saga and it seems to be resolving FINALLY now. (Mastectomy was late April)
My advice, keep an eye on it that it doesn’t get infected, ie it turns red and you would have a temperature. Definitely don’t put up with pain and discomfort. Agree that you should ring breast nurse or surgeon or hospital.
I had the same experience as you that the mastectomy was a breeze, came home fine but this has been overwhelming and I have been on tenterhooks ever since. :|
Take care and I hope it sorts out.
Caz xxxxxx