Drainage tube after lymph node removal

You've got alot of experiences to draw on, the drains can be annoying, don't know why I must be different. The drain I had in 2015 was out day 3 and recently with Mastectomy/Diep Flap recon it was out on Day 2, I have no idea why, but it wasnt draining much by then which was great, but odd. x M

Hi @SYT I had double mastectomy 7 months ago, left side had full node sweep.  Like you stayed in hospital until removed.  I had planned to go home day six, but no community care nurse was available to check the drains and my GP closes on weekends, so decided to stay in.  
Right side drains removed in 6 days but left side was 9 or 10 days.  In the scheme of things a few days extra in hospital worth it.  I got a lot more sleep and good recovery out of it.  I can't remember exactly, but I think it was down to about 20 -25ml when they removed it. but you will find it will reduce quickly from where you are now.  Good luck with everything
Aine

Hi there I had lumpectomy and lymph removal Monday 3rd April and came home Wednesday 5th with one drain in. My surgeon also wants 2 consecutive days of 30mls or less before he will take it out so mine is still in. I spoke to the nurse today and she said it may stay in for 14 days so yes me and my drain look like becoming form friends too

Wow! Thanks for your story. Still here 8days later and draining this morning 45.so looking like here for A little longer. 
Thank you. Julie x

Hi there Julie my first mastectomy( 8 lymph nodes removed) I went home the next morning following my surgery then had the drain in for 2 weeks and was removed without any hassles. The second mastectomy (prophylaxis and no lymph nodes) I had 6 months later again I went home the next morning, had the drain in for only 10 days and dr insisted on removing it due to infection risk but it was still draining at least 50mls a day and I asked him to leave it in for just a few more days but he insisted on taking it out. Ended up back at the wound clinic on the Monday telling the dr there that my chest was getting sore, filling with fluid, she insisted that I wait unitl I saw the surgeon on Thursday. Ended up back at the clinic on the Wednesday saying to them I'm in heaps of pain, I think Ive got a seroma which has caused cellulitis (I'm a nurse too so have some idea!!) but still she insisted on me seeing the surgeon. Saw the surgeon on the Thursday and was admitted immediately to hospital for IV antibiotics and had over 200mls drained from my chest wall. Then had it drained a few days later with 80mls then was fine after that. All good now thank fuck! I went home the next day both times because as a nurse I'm a pretty shitty patient and was better off at home to be honest. So trust your gut and do what's best for you if you want to stay in til the drain comes out then that's what you should do, I should of stayed in longer too to be honest. Margie:)

Thanks ks. Hope you are OK now. Yes I ask lots but I don't necessarily know what to ask. That's the problem I think. It's not till after you know what you need to know. Thanks Julie x

My drain remained in for 10 days in all, and wasn't draining properly. Once it was removed, I was put on antibiotics due to infection. I also developed a long term seroma and had to have the fluid removed be needle under ultrasound every day for the next 2 weeks. Then I had my first chemo, and ended up in hospital for a week with cellulitis in my mastectomy site. 
Just take your time with it Honey, and ask lots of questions. Everyone is different, according to their circumstances. Rest up and take good care of yourself.
Sending a cyber cuddle, Trace xx

Hi Julie, I had lumpectomy and ALND 2 weeks ago and still have my drain in! It keeps draining away and my surgeon wants 2 days with less than 50 mls before removal. So me and my drain have become mates! The surgeon said she has had pts who have had it in 4 weeks! Good luck with yours Paula x

I went home with one drain tube the day after my lympnodes removal and lympectomy and then got it removed 5 days after in a clinic.

Ive recently undergone a double mastectomy with reconstruction and stayed in hospital for 5 days and then went home with 2 drains. It was removed after a few days. I did have a nurse visit everyday before it was removed.

They are annoying to have and carry around and like others have said, i have tucked it in a carry bag.

Good luck with everything! You will feel so much better once its removed

Hi @Syt, I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with a silicon implant and left hospital with 2 drains. 1st was removed within 7 days but 2nd would not reduce to surgeons specified level (20mls x 2 days consecutively) and I had that drain for 8 weeks. I was sent home from hospital at day 6 and I monitored and changed the drainage bag bag daily and had the community nurses check the drain site once a week (they either attended my home or once I was able to drive I attended the community nursing centre and collected my next supply of drainage bags). I had also had four nodes removed and found my suture line (mine was in the fold under the breast) to be very tender and sore so my breast care nurse gave me some thick dressings and I would place them between my breast and the mastectomy bra and in doing that it reduced the pressure on the wound and stopped it from being so painful. I also found that my second drain site became quite tender as the weeks wore on and found placing extra micropore tape (from chemist) to stop the drain from swinging around greatly increased my comfort level. Mine was not a standard length of time for having a drain and eventually my surgeon removed it as she was worried it was the drain itself causing the irritation and generating the excess fluid. I did not end up with a seroma and was back at work the day after the drain removal. All the best, hope you're healing well. Xx Cath