Upset...Need Advice about brachioplasty

I had a bilateral brachioplasty on Tuesday.  I went in yesterday (Thursday) for my follow up and the doctor didn't see me.  Just the nurse to change my bandages.  I thought I would get my drains out, but she said no..."maybe on Monday" when I come in to have my staples removed.  OK, fine, that was not really how this all was explained to me but I am already past that now anyway.  The thing is she just really never gave me a definitive answer about how often I am supposed to change the wraps and bandages or anything.  Surely I am supposed to change them again before my appt Monday?  I asked her and she never gave me a firm answer.  To be honest, she was so rough when she was changing my bandages that I was literally in tears and sort of out of it.  I am going to try to call the office later to see if they can give me some instructions or something, but this seems really poor :(  Am I being a crazy person?  Is it usual to have drains in for a week following brachioplasty?  I barely have had any drainage, and I don't know if that is good or bad.  The surgeon originally told me I should be able to go back to work on Monday (I have a desk job)...and now I just "might" get the drains out.  The PA who saw me for my final consultation gave me a list of supplies to get for wound care, but never told me what to do with them, she said the nurse would cover that at my postop appt.  I'm confused.

 Call them and demand to get answers. You shouldn't be left confused and wondering. I didn't have drains or staples with my arm lift so I can't advise you. Each surgeon has his own protocol but you deserve to be informed.

My drains came out before I left the hospital (2 days as I had an LBL at the same time). I didn't really have any bandages other than an ace wrap and that was able to come off on day after I left the hospital and didn't have to put anything on after that. Possible difference is I didn't have any staples. Like Renee said I'd call and demand answers.

I also didn't have drains or staples.  The dr. removed the tape covering the incision the day after sx and I just wore compression socks on my arms after that.

I agree that you need better info - you have to be your own advocate for your health.

I'm with everyone else - call them or just go to their office.  I didn't have drains or staples.  I went home the same day as the surgery and was told it was okay to remove the bandages the next day which I did.  I was out of work for 2 weeks and went part half time for the first week. 

Thanks so much for your responses.  I called and the PA called me back and said that the drians would probably come out on Monday, they had to have less than 25cc of drainage for 2 days before they could come out.  OK, well if that is the only criteria, I think they would have taken them out already.  But, anyway, she apologized, and  told me how to deal with the incisions and gave me step by step instructions, which makes me feel better.  It also angers me, though, that they don't even have a post-op care sheet.  How hard would that be?  Oh well, I guess I am stuck with these miserable drains until Monday.  I think when I get the drains and staples out things will get a lot better for me.

Amanda ---- hope by now you are feeling a little better.

I had drains -- but they came out the following day when I went in to have my wounds checked.
To be honest, I didn't know they were there -- I had a breast lift at the same time, and they tucked the drains into the bra/padding over my breasts --- it took hours for me to realize that they were in there.

Hang in there ---- I found that for the first few weeks, it helped to have some of those flexible ice packs --- I got them at Walgreens, the type that you freeze, and then slip into a 'wrap' --- my doctor allowed me to wrap them loosely around my upper arms to help with swelling that was happening towards the end of the day.

You might want to ask when you are there on Monday if that is something they approve of you doing as you move forward.

I had brachioplasty along with anchor cut TT and had 5 drains total. My surgery was on a Friday and my doctor removed my arm drains at my first postop appt which was 8 days later. I remember my arms feeling a lot better after the drains came out:) As for going back to work, I have a desk job that I do from home and I was not able to return to wor****il 3 weeks after surgery because of my arms. I think I could have gone back 2 weeks after if I just had the TT. The hardest thing for me was sitting/laying with arms propped up constantly to reduce the swelling. 

Good luck and take it easy. Hopefully your arms will feel a lot better once your drains are removed:) 

I had surgery on a Friday and had my drains removed 3 days later. Hope you're feeling better!!

Laura