Going home with a drain after lymph node removal

Hi Diane1951, I didn’t have a drain when my one lymph node was removed, I’m tagging in Sailor2 to see if he can help. I also found this leaflet link https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/surgery/Plastic-surgery/going-home-with-a-drain.pdf

I hope some in the group can come forward with the personal experience you need. 

Thanks KTatHome. I have had a look at the link so I feel a bit more prepared than before! I am having a pre-op assessment soon so I'll try and remember to ask for more info then too. Thanks for your help.

I had the operation but it was 9 years ago and things will have moved on by now. I had two drains with large bottles attached and I carried them around in a carrier bag or similar. I was in hospital for 14 days as they wouldn’t let me home until they took out the drains. I heard at the time other hospitals allowed you to go home with the drains in and it would have been so much better. I wasn’t ill and was taking up a hospital bed and having to stay in my case not a great environment. You have to be careful not to pull the tubes attached to the drains as I somehow got mine wrapped around the base of the bed. I would suggest a nylon shopping bag ,the ones that are light and fold up would do the job.

I do wish you well I tried to walk around as much as I could but was limited by being in hospital and used to walk up and down the corridors. I was given advice by the melanoma nurse to get bicycle shorts to help with preventing lymphodema. These were useless as I couldn’t get them over my drains. I would suggest if you felt you were in danger of developing lymphodema to see the specialist nurse as soon as possible. Good luck and I will be thinking about you.

Thank you so much for your reply. I was told it would be one or two nights in hospital so fingers crossed! I will look in my collection of carrier bags for something suitable! Got to laugh eh? x

Hi Diane, fingers crossed the op all goes well. 

I also had my groin lymph nodes removed at the start of May and they kept me in hospital for 2 nights (although the consultant considered letting me go after 1, I think my shocked face put him off!). I had 2 drains, and they took 1 out before I left because it wasn’t really doing anything. The other   was in for 17-days before they removed it, and it was an absolute pain. 

I was recovering and healing really well from the surgery but had a few issues with the drain getting blocked with clots. After lots of googling, it turns out this is quite normal, but make sure they show you how to ‘milk’ the tube before you leave hospital. I think I’d have been a lot less panicky if it had been explained to me.

The drain is attached on quite a long tube, so I’d recommend lots of loose and comfortable trousers while it’s in. It’s best to let the tube come out the bottom of your trousers so it can be on the floor while you’re sat down - for gravity purposes. I was using a cloth shopping bag to hold it, with quite long handles so it could go over my shoulder. It is really quite restrictive having one arm unavailable constantly because you’re carrying the drain!

Eventually after a few hospital visits due to blocking, they cut the vacuum-type drain off and put a bag over the end of my tube instead. That was taped to my leg, so didn’t need carrying around, but I was in a lot more pain with this one- not sure if it was because the tube was more free to move in and out with less weight on, but it was hard going at times.

I’ve been writing a blog and there’s plenty in there about the drain with pics if you’re interested. Hopefully it won’t freak you out! But please feel free to ask away if you’ve got any specific questions.

https://onedaywithoccasionalleaps.wordpress.com

All the best, Kate. X

Thank you very much for all that information, it has really helped me to be prepared for what it will be like. Can't say I'm looking forward to it but it has to be! I will certainly have a read of your blog. Thanks again. x

Hi Diane1951,

I had two of lymph nodes removed from my groin in January which did not require a drain, so I can't really give you much information.

The operation itself was under a general anesthetic, and took around forty five minutes.  My wound unfortunately became infected which delayed the my recovery by a couple of weeks to around a month to full physical fitness.

Now after four months have passed I have a scar (about 20cm) but otherwise no other effects of the surgery.  I walk & run etc exactly as before.

If there are any other questions you think I might be able to answer, let me know. 

Best

J

Thanks for your reply. 3 years ago when my MM was first diagnosed I had a lymph gland removed from my groin so I was very surprised and somewhat dismayed to find I had to go through it again. I expected it to be as it was the first time around and exactly as you described but this time he is taking out all the lymph nodes (about 20) hence the drain as the fluid has nowhere to go and builds up in the leg otherwise. I have had some useful info from others on here so, fingers crossed, it'll be ok! 

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Hi i had total removal of my lymph nodes from my groin and abdomen only 6 months ago

I had a drain in until the amount of lymph fluid settled it took about 3 weeks and was a little bit of a nuisance but worth it or all that fluid would have caused problems

Good luck with your surgery 

Thank you for your reply. All the info I have got from people on this site has been very helpful. At least I am now better prepared.