Drainage tube after lymph node removal

I had 4 drains in (double mastectomy, left auxiliary clearance), one was removed after a week, the others out after 2 weeks. I had oral antibiotics while the drains were in. Kate xo

I had one drain removed on day 3 while still in hospital and I went home with the other one. It ended up being removed 4 days later (day 8 post op). It was no trouble at home, as the other ladies have said, easy to carry around in a bag. I was given some spare drain bags and it only took a minute to unscrew and change each day. I did have to keep note of the output tho.  I found I was a lot more active at home which may have helped the drainage too.  Hope you are doing well Julie.  Jane xx

I had drains in a week after leaving hospital...they were carried in the funny little bag sewn by those gorgeous volunteers. Quite normal :).

The hospital I was in insisted all drains out in 7 days regardless if still draining as it can be an infection risk. But it seems to vary a lot. I went home with 2 in and someone visited daily. 

Thanks was worried about something else happening. X

I went home with mine and I too tucked it away in a bag tied around my neck. I had the drains in for a couple of weeks and it probably should have been longer as once gone I developed a seroma where it filled with lymph and had to be manually drained with a big needle every week for a few more weeks.

Hi Julie,
As I was keen to leave the hospital, one bottle was removed and one stayed in place.   I was given a bag to carry over my shoulder in which the bottle sat.  It was really nice just to be at home and the bottle and tube were no problem.  I had a nurse visit me at home each day to do a check up which was really reassuring.  I had the tube in for a week at home before having it removed at a post op check.  At the time it was still filling the bottle about a centimeter but I was told that was ok.  I didn't have any further problems and it didn't hurt to have the drain removed (thought I would mention that as I am a big sook and that worried me!).  My one big tip to you is to make sure you do the arm exercises that you are given, even though you will not be able to do much, try and do something, it will help you with your recovery.  Wishing you all the best xx