Going home with drains is one of the parts of a mastectomy people worry about most. The tubes look alarming, and nobody wants to do something wrong. In practice, drain care takes a couple of minutes a few times a day, and after the first day or two most people find it routine.
This guide covers the general steps. Your nurse will show you how to manage your particular drains before you leave hospital, and their instructions come first.
After a mastectomy, fluid naturally collects in the space where breast tissue was removed. The NHS explains that thin tubes are used to drain away fluid and blood from the wounds. Each tube runs from under the skin to a soft plastic bulb or bottle that gently sucks fluid out. Removing the fluid helps the skin settle back down onto the chest wall and heal.
The drains usually stay in for a few days to a couple of weeks. MedlinePlus says your surgeon decides when they come out, often based on how much fluid is still draining each day. That is why you are asked to record it.
The steps below are typical for the common bulb-style drain. Follow the method you were shown if it is different.
Most people are asked to empty the drains two or three times a day, or whenever the bulb is about half full, because a fuller bulb pulls less well.
Small clots or strands can collect in the tube and slow drainage. Some teams teach you to “strip” or “milk” the tube: pinch it near the skin with one hand and slide the fingers of the other hand down it toward the bulb. Only do this if you were shown how and told to. Never pull on the tube where it enters the skin.
A simple table makes appointments much easier, because the numbers are the main thing your team will ask about.
| Date | Time | Drain 1 (ml) | Drain 2 (ml) | Notes (color, anything unusual) |
|---|
The fluid usually starts out red or pink and becomes lighter, more like a straw color, over the days. The amount should generally go down over time. Bring the log, or a photo of it, to every appointment.
A drain that swings or catches on a door handle pulls at the skin and hurts. A few things help:
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Ask your team when you can shower. When you can, MedlinePlus advises not scrubbing tape strips or glue and letting them come off on their own, and avoiding baths, pools and hot tubs until your surgeon agrees. Hang the drains on a lanyard, let water run over the area rather than spraying it directly, and pat the drain sites dry afterward. Change any dressing around the drain site as you were shown.
Look at the skin where each tube goes in once a day. A little redness right at the edge and a small amount of fluid around the tube are common. Keep the area clean and dry and covered as instructed. NICE guidance on surgical wounds is clear that good hand hygiene before touching the wound or dressing is one of the most important ways to prevent infection.
Removal is quick and done in clinic or at home by a nurse. The stitch holding the tube is cut and the tube is slid out. Most people describe it as a strange pulling feeling more than pain, over in seconds. The hole closes up within a day or two under a small dressing.
After the drains are out, some people notice a soft, squashy swelling where the fluid used to drain. This is called a seroma. Small ones often settle by themselves. Tell your team about it, as larger ones sometimes need draining with a needle.
Call 999 or 911 for chest pain or sudden difficulty breathing.
Wash your hands, empty the bulbs two or three times a day, squeeze them flat before closing, and write down the amounts. Keep the bulbs secured so the tubes never pull. Watch the drain sites for signs of infection, and call your team if the fluid or the skin changes. Your nurse’s instructions for your specific drains come first.
The clinical guidance this guide was checked against. Where your own surgical team's advice differs, follow theirs. How we research and review guides
A note from after ♥ surgery
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow the specific guidance of your surgical team, as recommendations vary by procedure and individual circumstances. If you have concerns about your recovery, contact your healthcare provider.
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