Tips for Managing Mastectomy Drains

Call dr

Hi Betsy, using some hand sanitizer really helped me with milking the drains

My Nurse Practioner said hand soap or hand sanitizer, grip the top of the tube or a family or friend can do it. Once you grip the top and of the tube, pinch and slide fingers down to bulbs. Sometimes there may be blood clots or fat clogging the tubes, try this technique if you can’t get anything from the tubes call DR

We used hand lotion, started at top close to skin and squeezed down towards drain bulb. The third week I had what the surgeon called “ protein strings” in the tubes coming out that kind of clogged but thankfully that was towards end. I had someone else do my drains for me because it was too awkward doing my own and holding everything. The drains were the worst part of post surgery by far!

Thanks Maya

Dennie, my daughter has been helping as much as possible and there is fat or some sort of discharge in the drain. I had one drain removed and the site where it was is inflamed. I am in pain. The dr called in an antibiotic to prevent an infection. Thanks for all the advice.

Those drains are the worst part of the surgery! At least they were for me! I had 3 drains for 3 weeks!

Managing post-surgical drains can definitely feel challenging at first, and many patients find the milking technique takes some practice to get comfortable with. Consider asking your surgical team or nurse to demonstrate the proper technique again, as they can provide personalized guidance and ensure you're doing it safely - they're always happy to help patients feel more confident with their drain care.