The purpose of drains after mastectomy is to drain away the fluid that can gather in the armpit region or around the scar on the chest wall. Some people after mastectomy also find that fluid gathers around the shoulder blade area on their back - this seems more common if the muscle from the back has been used for breast reconstruction at the time the mastectomy was done.
When mastectomy is done - and especially if the lymph nodes are removed from the axilla or armpit - then there is a lot of tissue fluid and lymph fluid left with no where to go. This fluid normally flows through the lymph channels but if they are cut then it can escape into the normal skin and muscle tissues.
Your surgeon will place drains under your skin after mastectomy. These drains gather up the fluid and remove it to a bottle (or bottles) that you carry around with you. Some people use a belt clip to attach the drain to their waistband - making them more mobile. Others carry the drain in a handbag.
In Marjory's case the chest wall drain was removed after three days and she was allowed home with the armpit drain still in place. Different surgeons and different hospitals take a different view of when the drain should come out.
When mastectomy is done - and especially if the lymph nodes are removed from the axilla or armpit - then there is a lot of tissue fluid and lymph fluid left with no where to go. This fluid normally flows through the lymph channels but if they are cut then it can escape into the normal skin and muscle tissues.
Your surgeon will place drains under your skin after mastectomy. These drains gather up the fluid and remove it to a bottle (or bottles) that you carry around with you. Some people use a belt clip to attach the drain to their waistband - making them more mobile. Others carry the drain in a handbag.
In Marjory's case the chest wall drain was removed after three days and she was allowed home with the armpit drain still in place. Different surgeons and different hospitals take a different view of when the drain should come out.
* I had 3 drains put in and 2 of them were really painful to remove. The Third one was a breeze as the nurse was tender and caring. The first 2 ripped the suction out of my skin by force. Be careful as this is really important they must take suction off, it really comes off easily then. I had no idea and suffered to 2 heartless and rough nurses. Just a tip to avoid pain for you...Takes longer to remove but does not hurt..it will be a breeze then.
Securing drains without safety pins and comfortably ,Poucharoo ,a post mastectomy surgical drain holder is invaluable. Each Poucharoo comes with a pouch to hold up to 4 drains, 3 belts from size 2 to 5XL, and a tote bag. Poucharoo makes recovery easier! Poucharoo is the original patented drain holder and was created and designed from the inspiration of women.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for posting such a nice post. This is really informative.
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