3 week Update & Questions (Xpost)

It's hard to believe it was just 3 weeks ago that I had surgery!  I am feeling better everyday.  I even went back to work!  (I work at Dr. office doing medical billings.)

I sent Dr. S an e-mail asking the following questions, but would like you opinions, please!

I'm having a few issues/concerns.

My drains are still going strong.  Left leg 40ml, Right leg 60ml, Stomach 40ml every 24 hours.   The stitches broke through the skin on all 3 sites.  My stomach drain is having problems keeping suction. I have in pushed in very well, but there seems to be a hole in the actual tubing.  I wrapped it with tape, but it leaks through, so I'm certain that is the problem.  Do I just let it leak?  Is there something I can get that will patch the hole?  Is it "normal" to drain so much for so long?

 I'm also getting a really bad skin rash on my legs where the drains drip & rub.  I have put gauze pads under, but the combination of the constant wetness & the rubbing of the tubing has rubbed my legs raw.  My doctor took a culture of it today & put me on Keflex 500mg 2xper day because they look infected. 

Also, my compression garment on my arms & breasts doesn't seem to be compressing anymore.  It is so loose on my arms that there is room to put things.  I also don't feel like it is supporting my breasts at all.   I made it smaller in the back, by putting the hooks on the middle row, but it still doesn't seem to offer much support.  I don't want sagginess already!

Thank you for your help!

Yes, draining that much is normal. I had my drains in my legs for 4 weeks & 6 weeks after my LBL. The remaining drain in my right thigh increased by at least 50% when I went back to work at 4 weeks.Then after about a week it started to taper off again.

My Dr. suggested maybe wrapping the drain tube in a coil then taping it to my leg to avoid the irritation (mine was pulling at the skin and became very painful). Maybe that would help w/ the rubbing. It's not easy dealing w/ the drains when you have to wear "regular" clothes once you go back to work. JMO, have the drain removed that isn't working. You still have the other ones in and why keep it when it really isn't doing the job it's intended to do.

My Dr. had me switch or told me I could switch to a supportive sports bra about 2-3 weeks out. Maybe if you go to the store you can find one that fits more snug than the compression garment. Not sure on the arms.

Sonya

The stitch on my drain broke through also and I was really worried about being able to keep the drain in.  I taped it real well, but a couple days later the drainage really went down and Dr. S let me pull it.  It practically fell out. 

Hopefully he will let you pull that drain that is dripping.  Keflex is an excellent anti-biotic so that's good that he put you on it.  It should help with all the healing.

You may need to buy a smaller compression garment.  Mine ended up really loose on the thighs at 4 weeks out, so I ordered a stage II garment.  I wish I had just ordered a smaller stage I garment.

I'm sure he will get back to you soon.  Hang in there.  Lin

Here is what Dr. S e-mailed back:

"Put your drains without suction for 24 hrs, maybe the suction is perpetuating the drain output.
If the bra garment is not thigh enough there is no reason for you to keep using it.
I have had patients with drains for 6 weeks, so 3 weeks it is normal.

On the drain hole normally the body react against the drain and looks like an infection, if they took a culture and the bacteria is one who live normally on your skin, is not an infection.

The sings of infection are; redness, pain, fever, swollen."

I don't think he understood that there is a hole in my tubing.  I can watch a bead of fluid form & drip out.  I tried taping it with Nexcare Flexible tape, but as soon as it gets wet it slips around on the tubing.  I'm kinda thinking DUCT TAPE??!?!?  It's waterproof & sticks to anything........

I took off the upperbody garment & put on a supportive sports bra.  It feels GREAT!  It's the first sunny day in months & I took my book outside on the deck & soaked in some Vitamin D!  I almost cried because I was sleeveless for the first time in my life!  

I took the suction off the drains & they aren't filling as much.  Maybe that is a good sign & I can get them removed soon?   Although the sites are still dripping something furious.  I have to cut a maxi pad in 1/2 & tape it over the drain site & it's soaked in about 2 hours.   With the suction on, they were soaked in about 4 hours, soo..........

As always, thank you for your support & suggestions

So glad you enjoyed the sun today.  A word of caution.........the sun can and will damage your new incisions so be very careful to keep them covered with LOTS of sun block and clothing.  Not fun I know but I've seen some scars that hit by the sun and they are permanently damaged (they become VERY dark!).

Hope things with the drains and leaks are getting better for you!

Hang in there, this too shall pass.

So, I was telling my family about the leaking hole in my tubing.  My dad had a brilliant idea: Super Glue!  I brushed it on & it worked perfectly!  I am putting a few layers, cold blow-drying between layers, but the drain will hold a suction now!  So, lesson learned - if anyone else ever gets a hole in the tube - SUPER GLUE to the rescue!

(Good thing Dad's a History Channel freak & remembered about super glue for ER situations in war injuries........Who Knew?)

I have been stripping the gunk from the drains since before I left Mexico, Patrece came to my room & did my arm drains for me!  

The culture came back & it's positive for heavy growth of yeast.  So, it's an infection, but not a serious one.  I work for OB/GYN, we're used to yeast infections!  I'm glad it's nothing else. 

It's been about 8 hours since I took off the suction & I'm already at 30ml, so I don't think the drains are coming out any time soon.  I think Cassandra & I will be having a friendly competition to see who's drains end up staying in the longest!