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Drains after surgery

Willough
  • 1 reply
  • 36 subscribers
  • 101 views

Hi

can you please tell me if there is any way I can speed up drainage after breast surgery.  I’m a week in after lumpectomy and reconstruction and fed up with the drains.  I know I have to get to 30ml at least per day.  But how?

  • Hi Willough,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Ursula and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists.

    I am sorry that you are feeling fed up with the drains a week after having lumpectomy and reconstruction surgery. Following surgery, fluid can build up around the wound. This can cause discomfort and delay healing if not drained. Wound drains are tubes that drain blood and fluid from the wound usually into a bottle or a small bag. How long these drains will need to remain in place will be individual to each person as they have different needs and recover in different ways.

    Here at Macmillan, we are independent of the NHS and do not have access to medical records, so we are unable to give personalised advice. We would recommend you speak with your breast care team about this as they will be best placed to advise on what to expect around your recovery and the expected timescales for this. It is important to seek specialist support with this for a safe and speedy recovery. They will also be able to assess the drain to ensure it is working properly.

    I do hope you find this information helpful, but please do not hesitate to get back in touch with us if you need any further support. 

     

    Take care, 

    Ursula

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.  

    Ref: UH/BS

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