X-Post: Drain Questions

I had a panniculectomy on 2/25 (three weeks ago today) and have had two drains in ever since.

My entire incision is healed, no scab, except around the drains where there go in. I'm still draining about 70 ccs for the two in a 24 hour period. The drainage is straw colored, with a few clots now and again.

When am I going to get these blasted things out?? They hurt! I have no pain other than the drain sites. I'm tired of these things. . . .what's the longest anyone has had them in? Don't I run a risk of infection the longer I have them in? What are the consequences if I have them pulled too early?

Thanks in advance for any help. 

I feel for you on this one.  Hate to tell you but I had one of mine in for 6 wks.  The other was taken out at 4 wks.  Most people don't have them in for that long.  Dr. warned me right off the bat after surgery that they could be in for some time as he had taken off quite a bit of skin: 17 lbs.  Hang in there,  the amt. of fluid can go down very fast.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that they come out soon!
                                           Bonnie

  Noooooo. When the doctor told me a couple weeks, I figured one or two.  I've got things to do, I can't be sitting my still saggy ass on the sofa for six weeks.

SIX???

:::pout::: Well, thanks for the info, Bonnie.

Oh, I didn't mean to make you feel worse!  Believe me, most people don't have theirs in that long.  I have read about so many TTs(I did my homework!) and only a few people had theirs in as long as I did.  Truly, I thought I would go nuts before they were taken out, so I know just how you feel.  I had DH all lined up to yank them for me if they weren't removed pretty soon.  He seemed to like the idea: I think he has some idea he could be a surgeon with very little training! LOL!
        Hang in there, this too shall pass.
                                        Bonnie

Naw, you didn't make me feel worse. In the grand scheme of things, this is just a tiny hiccup in this thing called life.

I'm w/ Bonnie. I started w/ 4 drains. 2 were removed at 2 weeks. The 3rd at 4 weeks and the final one at 6 weeks ( and I actually fudged the numbers just a bit to get it out). Hopefully you don't have to go that long. I now where you are coming my last drain hurt so bad by week 6 I couldn't stand it. Was actually tempted to pull the damn thing out myself.

I will say the more active I was the more it drained. I had to go back to work after 4 weeks and the drain output more than doubled for a week after that. So you can get up and moving, it may increase for a few days but then goes back down.

If they are pulled too early you could run the risk of getting a seroma that would have to be drained w/ a needle. As long as you keep them clean you probably won't have a problem w/ them getting infected. Make sure you keep an eye on them. If they start having a discharge or start to smell funny tell your Dr. right away.

. . . I will say the more active I was the more it drained. . . .

See, that's what the doctor told me, but in reality, there's no rhyme or reason to when my drainage increases or decreases. For example, I was a couch potato all day Tuesday, but my drainage increased by 10 ccs. Wednesday, I was much more active and it went down 7 ccs. It's all so discouraging.

I'm going to make the 1 1/2 hour (one way) trip into see the doctor today, just to make myself feel better that they aren't becoming infected, and on the outside chance he'll yank them.

I also had my panni on the same day as you.  I had 3 drains and they were removed about 2 weeks ago. (it stings when they come out.....at least they did with me........be warned)   I was still draining, but only about 20 ccs.  When the drain fluid gets down to a certain amount, depending on your surgeon, he/she will pull them out. Any minor drainage after that, your body will naturally absorb. (according to my surgeon)  I am really sore!  I had a hernia removal as well as my panni and my incision over my pubic area and parts of my abdomen hurt.  I can only walk so much before I feel pain. Be careful when you need to cough or sneeze.  I have to bring my legs up when I cough to minimize the pain the best way I can. (which doesn't help much.)   When do you see your surgeon next?   Maybe he/she can give you a rough idea as to when the drains come out. I agree with you.......they are a real pain in the rump!  Especially when trying to hide them under clothes or sleeping.  Do you have visiting nurses checking in on you?  I had one sometimes, but I still had to drain the drains myself at times too, which was very gross and scary.  I am also scared of infection.  My surgeon had me putting antibiotic ointment over the drain wounds and keeping them covered with dressings.  I can't wait for this recovery thing to be over with!   I hope your drains come out soon.  (showering is much easier when they come out!)  Take care, and God bless.

I'm going to see the doc today. Sleeping and dressing is indeed tough. Hopefully, he'll yank them today. 

Thanks for the response.

Hi.

I was just wondering if you still had your drains in or not?  How are you feeling?  I have good days and sore ones.  I am dealing with some indigestion and constipation. My surgeon said that shouldn't have anything to do with my surgery, but I am not sure.  I hope I will feel better soon.  Hope all is well with you.