Stripping Drains Question

I am home from my panni removal/TT/BL/BA.  The surgery went well, removed 15 pounds of excess skin & I am so thrilled over the flat tummy.  Several times have gone to sit something there & couldn't as I no longer had that built in tray!

The pain has been manageable, though my back is killing me from sitting/laying in the lazy-boy chair.

My question is on my drains (I have 3).  Nurse told me to strip them 3 times a day (using scissors just like you were curling ribbon).  Anyway, first time I tried it yesterday I actually did strip pieces of the rubber tubing!  I obviously panicked & stopped immediately. 

Will call the surgeons office this morning but was wondering if you had any advice.  Don't really want to return to the surgeons office as they are an hour away.

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you & thank you for your well wishes!

Isn't it amazing to look down and see that flat tummy? It sounds like you are doing well and off to a good start. As far as the drains, I always just pinched the tubing tightly with my index finger and thumb and stripped them that way. It always seemed to work just fine for me. I hope your recovery continues to go well.

Congrats on your surgery!  I had the Jackson-Pratt drains.  The fluid seems to go through easier if the tube is wet.  I was told to use two alcohol wipes between my thumb and index finger, and, like Renee said, milk the tube.  Wishing you a smooth recovery,
Cindy

I just used an alcohol pad and my fingers.  The alcolhol pad just wets the tube and makes it easier for your fingers to slide.   If you are going to use scissors then I suggest you close them and use the non-cutting side to slide down the tube.

If you're using scissors, stop immediately!!! The nurse should've explained more thoroughly...the motion of curling ribbon is correct but use with an alcohol pad between your forefinger and your thumb, but not using a scissor! If you cut the tubing, you may interrupt the function of the drain.

 I am 3 weeks out from a LBL and had 5 drains to deal with afterwards. I am also a nurse. I'm proud to say that even though I do feel that the drains were one of the worse things to deal with, I did not have ant clogged drains! As a previous member wrote, use an alcohol wipe to strip them. Pinch the tubing with your fingers close to the skin site holding it tight. With your other hand, strip the tubing with the alcohol wipe. The wettness helps it glide along. I stripped my drains every time I emptied them sometimes discovering large clots in my drains. I would also use the alcohol wipe to wipe the port of the bulb after I emptied it. Good luck!

5 drains!  OMG!  How did you take a shower?  I can't quite figure out how to get 3 of them up.

My mom got me some alcohol wipes - thank you to you & everyone *****sponded.  I will try them tonight.

One thing I wasn't quite prepared for are the crying jags -- I can be perfectly fine one minute & the next thing I know I'm crying!  I wi**** were June already!

I used a pen or my fingers. Stop using sissors right away, you don't want to cut the tubing.

I had four drains so I feel you.  I tried the alchohol pads but for some reason had problems, so I just used lotion to lube them.  Then I used the pads to clean them off.  Good luck!

April