Drain Question . . .

I am 9 days out from ext TT and BL/BA. I had a follow-up appt yesterday and exposed stiches removed. Surgeon decided we needed to keep drains in until sometime next week based on my measurements and fluid color. Today I have noticed that one drain has almost stopped. It has not pulled out or anything. Could it be clogged somewhere in the tubing under the skin? This morning when I emptied it had 20cc from overnight. Anyway, just a little concerned, but I am thinking if it is clogged that maybe the other one will pick up the slack? 

Thanks for any feedback.

did they show you how to milk them?  They just hold tight to the tube closest to the body so you can't pull it out and with the other hand, pull, stretch and basically milk the clots out until the fluid flows.  If you don't see an obstruction you can still do this because it causes a little suction under the skin.  Don't be afraid to try it.  Just be sure you are not pulling the tube out.  They can do this for you in the office if you want to go back but they told me to do it every day and I did get long strings of blood some days. Good luck, this is very normal.

Try milking them as the other poster described.  One drain really doesn't up the slack for the other they really only work on the one side they are attached to.  Sometimes one drain just stops sooner than the other and it's no big deal....but sometimes it is a clog (I had that happen with one after my last procedure).  The Surgeon can either get it going again if they think you need it or they may just pull it out (like mine did).

Unless the area is getting swollen, or hot, and painful you probably don't have to worry about it.  If you are very uncomfortable I'd suggest calling your surgeon.

Feel better!!!
TTFN
Ruth

I had mine removed 6 days after (surgery wednesday, removed tuesday)...and only had one. My doc just said when I quit putting out 30 cc a day (or less than that) i could have it removed. As soon as that happened I was there, couldn't wait to have it out, and felt so much better after.