Draining

How much do you have to stop draining to have your tube removed? This Friday will be 4 weeks for me and I still have both drains. I am so tired of them.

I think it depends on the individual surgeon.....for me I needed to put out LESS than 20cc in 24hrs.  I think I've read others say they had to have less than 30 but it just depends on your surgeon.  Didn't they tell you how much during your office visit?  If not, give them a call and ask the nurse.

Hope that helps....

I had to be 30 cc's in 24 hours. I hear you on the drains. I had my last one taken out at 6 weeks. By week 4 I was back to work and w/ that drain it really sucked. If you still have the drain and go back to work, don't be surpriese if it increases for a day or 2. Mine jumped about 100 cc's once I started back to work for a few days. Then back to normal.

Thanks for the post. You right the first two days back to work I drained like never before but not I basically only drain less than 20cc a day so hopefully she will take both of them out Saturday. I'm so ready but how my stomach don't swell more than it has already.

My surgeon's orders are for the output not to be more than 20cc's for three 24 hour periods in a row. 

How is your swelling today? 

I've been swollen for about a week now. I only put out about 20cc or less for the past 4 days. Hopefully when I go see her on Saturday she will take both of them out. I hate the swelling and have not idea when my stomach is going to be flat again.

Anjail, 

Just curious.  Are you able to go to work with those drains in?  I did not have any for wls and am wondering why when many other people do.  

Yup, I've been back to work with both drains for two weeks now. I just stick them up in my bra with my girls LOL. It's not bad and you can't even tell that I have drains in me. For my wls I only have one drain and it was taken out in about a week but for my tt I've had two drains now for almost a month. Go figure.

My PS required less than 20cc per day output for the total of ALL the drains. The drains can really be annoying, but I had 2 in for 3 weeks and 1 in for 4 weeks. I really feel that having my drains in for a little longer helped me have NO problems. I have read that some people that have had their drains out early have had lots of problems with seromas, wound separations, etc. Hang in there and trust your PS. Hugs!!!

Thanks so the repsonse. I felt the same way. Rather have the drains with minimal swelling than opposed to having them out with major swelling. Boy I just can't wait to get them both out and for all of my swelling to finally STOP.