Drains

Yes i had mastectomy back in March I had district nurses calling everyday until the both bags were taken off.

Had node drains in for 5 days checked daily and emptied and removed by district nurse kind regards

Hi, I had to do it all myself at home, take readings, change bottles & ring the BC nurses with updates, once at a certain level I went in to have them removed at the hospital

Things seem to vary!

Best wishes x

It does vary! That's a lot to cope with after everything. My breast dept was quite shocked when I told them that some have to deal with the drains themselves.

Thats what I thought, but Kitty1 had to do it all herself!  31 years ago, first time round we stayed in hospital until the drains were taken out, 5/6 days for lumpectomy with node clearance.  How times have changed.

I was informed that the BCN do it all in my area, less load onto District Nurses. If in doubt, to phone or go back in. I was taught how to change the bottle and was sent home with a spare, but when it was needed neither I nor my hubs could loosen it so went back in anyway! One drain was removed after about a week, the other on day 15. 
hugs xxx

Hi Casmo welcome to the forum and I think you are absolutely right in that this is different in different parts of the country.

The best bit about the District Nurse coming in is that you will be seen on a daily basis and not have to keep trailing back and forth to hospital. If they have any issues or concerns they will have direct links to the Nurses at the hospital, so you are in safe hands.

Best wishes for your op tomorrow and we are here as and when you need us to be, so do keep in touch and let us know how you are doing? xx

Thank you, will do. x

It was a lot, I had 3 drains, my husband really helped me 

I'm in West Midlands 

Hope everything goes smoothly for you x