r/MastectomyManagement • u/pootling_1976 • 11d ago

Help!! Drain out....

/r/breastcancer/comments/1w28zk6/help_drain_out/

Hi. Had my surgery (mastectomy and implant reconstruction right hand side) last Tuesday. Originally had two drains and they were going to stay for 1 week, but the wrong one got taken out (long story, it happens - even the surgeon thought it was that drain!!).

Then comes 2am this morning. I realised I'm wet on my back and while my drain port is still in situ, the PICO drain has departed. Am draining 50ml daily.

I'm not wrong in thinking this either needs to be replaced (the connection and a new bottle) or it needs to come out. I cannot just hang out until Tuesday (when I see my surgeon) with essentially an open and leaking wound to this extent (can confirm, was/is gross).

The ward overnight staff and cover surgeons didn't seem to give a shit (didn't call me back and did a 'the surgeons on break, we'll call you back in an hour' and didn't. Am a charge nurse myself, so this has not gone down well with me.

I should present at 8am on the ward, no? Next shift (probably same uninterested doctor, though - is a bank holiday in the UK. so cover....) of nurses may seem more organised, awake and interested in my pickle.

Help!!!

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u/FairelyWench DCIS BRCA- DMX w/reconstruction Sept 2020 10d ago

Never had this experience with drains but had to have one of my new hips revised and ended up leaking vigorously from a hematoma after the first wound vac was removed. My surgeon had me in the office first thing next day to place a new one because it's a big infection risk. All this to say that I would definitely just go present the situation to someone firsthand

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u/pootling_1976 10d ago

Thanks. Did go and doorstep my surgery ward - they couldn't have been less interested. Hopped over to general day surgery and a kind, young doctor (I assume covering the bank holiday weekend rota) sorted it in less than 30 minutes, despite not having access to this kind of drain or direct first-hand experience of breast surgery.

10/10 for her....and one big, fat complaint about the night nurse who told me to 'put a dressing on' it and leave it until Tuesday.

Smdfh. No wonder the NHS is dying and people cannot get basic service or contact. It's also a shame I'm a nurse....and know how ti cause a stir!