drains and binders

I am 7 weeks post op from a Panniculectomy, I had one of my drains removed last week but still have one in place. The doctor told me that once the drainage settled around 40cc per day she would take it out. Right after she took the other side out,  my discharge from the remaining drain increased, it is not between 45 and 55 cc per day, she told me to experiment with wearing the binder on and off. I have noticed that if I don't wear the binder the dischage is closer to 40cc, any reason why I should be wearing the binder? Althought the drain is not to painfull I want it out, I am going on vacation on February 18 and by then it will almost be jsut over 10 weeks. I am feeling great and have only minor swelling. Thanks for your input on this
 

I am not an expert but I hope you can lose that drain soon! For the binder if you're not swelling I'd only wear it when you do.

Hi Lacatana,

You and I have lamented our drains in the recent past.  I had the same thing happen.  When I was left with one, the drainage doubled.  I had the right one out on Friday, the left one went up to 75 to 95 and by Sunday night, I had a raging infection so I hit high-powered antibiotics Sunday night and it came out Monday regardless of output.  That was over two weeks ago and, knock on wood, no seroma yet.  I saw my doc at 5.5 weeks out and he said I no longer had to wear the surgical binder, but I might want to wear some sort of compression garment, even bike shorts, to help keep the swelling in check.  So, it doesn't seem that there is a real medical need after 6 weeks, just what makes you feel better.  If she says it's okay to try it without, sounds like you'd be okay, just might be a possibility of increased swelling.

Good Luck getting that last Bugger out!

Terri

I feel ya. I had my drain in for 6 weeks and couldn't wait til it came out. I only had to wear my binder for 6 weeks. However after 6 weeks I usually wore it when I came home from work and at night to sleep. Did this for a few weeks more especially when I felt swollen. I'd think you'd be fine to not wear it 24/7 at this stage. I'd probably do anything to get the last drain out. Mine became somewhat painful at week 4-6 and I actually did fudge my numbers just a little bit to get it out (not much probably draining 35-40 cc's/24 hours and it had to be 30 or below).

Good luck getting that bugger out.

Sonya