Surgical Drains

I'd just like to add to be sure your drains are not left in too long. Please discuss this with your doctor PRIOR to surgery. Drains that are left in too long offer a greater chance for infection, scarring and unnecessary discomfort. If you do suspect you have an infection, INSIST that your doctor see you right away, do NOT wait for your next sceduled appointment. You may consider the emergency room if your doctor is in surgery and you need immediate attention Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. Patients find a number of ways to deal with the uncomfortable drains. Some doctors will help 'attach them' to one of the time-release-pain devices (my twin sister had a belt apparatus and her surgeon helped put the drains in this so they could be 'tucked back in' after she released the fluid in measuring cups and recorded the output). Saftey pins are the conventional solution for most patients but the real key (at least for me on the 2 occasions I had drains) was making sure they did not pull or tug because they can get very uncomfortable and itchy. If you can find a solution that will relieve them from pulling (the weight of the fluid as it drains can get a little heavy) on the skin where they are inserted, that has seemed to provide the most relief. There are specialty shirts with pockets sewn in that you can order and these give you a place to store drains. There are pockets that you can use that are self-adhesive and attach to your clothes (Pink Pockets) and I've even heard of people using a carpenter's apron and putting the drains in the pockets there. Some hoodie jackets have pockets inside. You will need to venture out to the doctor post-op (hopefully to get the drains out as soon as possible) and I felt well enough to venure out to Target after my surgery but the drains can be a real drag because you want to feel normal but these bulbs get in the way. You want to find a way to 'hide them' without having them pull more then necessary. A lot of patients have time to plan ahead and that would be my biggest recommendation - have your solution in hand before you go to the hospital because the drains are a real pain to have to deal with when you are already in pain and may be worrying about upcoming cancer treatments.