How long did you have your drains?

[David22]

I'm curious as to how long you guys had your drains before the doctor removed them?

I'm getting mine removed tomorrow (Friday);  I had surgery on Monday.

Thanks,
David

[jackson318]

I had surgery Monday as well, and I hope they come out at my checkup with the PS tomorrow.  I never knew how annoying they could be until I had to deal with them myself. 

[David22]

How much drainage do you have now?

I'm at around 10cc over a 24 hour period.

[jackson318]

My bulbs don't have real measurements on them.  There was never very much, maybe a quarter cup the day after the surgery, then a tablespoon, then a teaspoon, the a fraction of teaspoon, and since yesterday, just a few drops really.

[lexuslexus]

lol i had my drains removed the day after surgery before i left the hospital 

[David22]

Just got back from having drains removed.

Haven't taken any pain medication since surgery day.

Didn't hurt at all; didn't even feel it.  I think chest drains that protrude into the chest cavity are probably the only ones that would hurt upon removal.

[jackson318]

Hey David, are you as happy as I am to be rid of them?  After that, the rest of recovery seems like its too easy   

I didn't feel anything either.  After reading some of the posts here, I was ready to bite down and just hoped to stifle the scream enough to not scare anyone in the waiting room, but I didn't feel a thing.

[David22]

Personally, I didn't find any more discomfort with the drains; just more of an inconvenience.

It was more of a psychological relief having the drains removed than anything.

[DrBermant]

I'm curious as to how long you guys had your drains before the doctor removed them?

I'm getting mine removed tomorrow (Friday);  I had surgery on Monday.

Thanks,
David

Designing my surgery to minimize the use of drains is a key factor to help maximize my patients comfort after gynecomastia surgery.  When I need a drain, it is often on one side only and each patient tells me what a difference the comfort is the non-drain side vs. the drain side.

A drain increases the chance of infection, usually needs additional antibiotics until the drain is removed, often needs a second incision site for the drain, and has a scar that can be avoided when drains are not needed.  Sometimes a drain is just needed for the operation.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Chest Sculpture