After breast surgery, you most likely will have one or more surgical drains in place near your incisions. Although these can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, they are worth your trouble. Having a surgical drain prevents blood and lymphatic fluid buildup under your skin, and encourages healing and recovery. You will need to measure the fluid daily, and learn to keep the drain clean, to prevent infection.
These drains look like hand grenades, and often have fluid measures marked around their outside. They may be called JP drains, or Jackson-Pratt drains. Denise has two drainage tubes, one under each arm, the drainage bulbs, and a measuring cup in order to take daily measurements. These tubes are held in place with a suture, so that they don't accidentally slip out and leak. That little suture holding the drainage tube in place is quite painful if tugged on.
These drains look like hand grenades, and often have fluid measures marked around their outside. They may be called JP drains, or Jackson-Pratt drains. Denise has two drainage tubes, one under each arm, the drainage bulbs, and a measuring cup in order to take daily measurements. These tubes are held in place with a suture, so that they don't accidentally slip out and leak. That little suture holding the drainage tube in place is quite painful if tugged on.
I purchased a camisole type garmet for Denise. These camis have pockets that hold either a breast prosthesis or in Denise's case, the drainage bulbs -- great options for while you are recovering from breast surgery. They offer comfort, security (no dangling drain bulbs) and modesty, and keeps the drains out of her way, and ensure that they don't bounce around, get caught, or pulled on.
Nine days later, Denise still has her original 2 J-P drains. They aren’t as bad as a she thought, actually hanging off of her body, but she is getting tired of them and hopes to have them removed during her follow-up visit on Wednesday.
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