after complete mastectomy

[patsy509]

one month ago I had a complete mastectomy of my left breast, they also removed the first two lymph node they came back neg. for the first week I had a drain tube in to remove the fluid, then they took it out. A week later they had to use a needle to remove 5 tubes of liquid, ten days later they pulled out two more tubes! once again I'm full of liquid, whats the deal? my doctor said he's never had to remove fluid twice. I start chemotherapy in a few days and I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem?

[Nancy277]

The tubes should not have been removed so soon. Didn't they give you a measuring cup and chart to keep track of your daily drainage? I knew exactly when it was time to remove them as I kept track each day of the drainage. I can't remember the numbers but it was less than a tablespoon in 24 hours and then the drains are ready to come out.
Take care.

[japdip]

It isn't all that unusual for fluid to accumulate after the drains are removed. I actually had one drain replaced about a week or 10 days after the initial drains were removed. Usually they aren't removed until the drainage has reduced to only a slight amount. In my case my Surgeon doesn't believe in aspiration / hence the reinsertion of another drain.The fluid will subside eventually and if left alone will be absorbed, This does take a considerable amount of time however. Regards ......

[kuriosity]

Patsy- looks quiet on the board today -  I can't blame you for being concerned.
but there may be others who log on later  who may have had similar experience

Let's hope the fluid subsides -  But for sure, these are questions for your surgeon or oncologist. Be very pro-active about it - but  get answers~
Blessings