Mastectomy Drains: What to Expect & How to Manage Them
Unlike many, I didn’t dive too deep into breast cancer research before my surgery. Why? Because every experience is different. Some stories were terrifying, only for me to later realize they had nothing to do with my specific case. While my journey had its own challenges, I learned that, for the most part, things go as planned. Some parts suck, but they end—and drains are one of them. They’re not fun, but they’re temporary. For my first surgery, I had two drains on my left side from the mastectomy. For my third surgery—the implant exchange and reduction—I had one drain on each side
Everyone’s Experience is Unique
Your recovery depends on many factors:
- Your body
- The extent of your surgery
- Your doctor’s approach
- Your home support
- Your mindset
I’m sharing my experience with drains below, but keep in mind that your journey might look different. If you have questions, please reach out. No one fights alone.
The Drains
When I woke up from surgery on April 19th, I looked down at what was left of my breast. It looked deflated and bruised, but not as bad as I had feared. I had two drains on my left side—but to be honest, I didn’t even notice them at first.
As soon as I woke up, I was asked to do a lap around the hospital floor and go to the bathroom. Later, a PT nurse came in and asked me to do a few movements—these were excruciating. With tears streaming down my face, I asked to stop. I promised I’d do practical movement when I was ready, just not yet. I didn’t really feel the drains, thanks to the pain meds, but I was lucky to have my mom there to help care for them (and everything else) over the next two weeks. I also swore by the Masthead Bra, which held the drains securely in place—it was a game-changer!
What Are Drains & How Do You Manage Them?
After a mastectomy, you may have one or two drains per side, depending on the extent of your surgery. Their purpose is to drain excess fluid from the chest.
You (or your caregiver) will need to:
- Strip the drains (pull fluid caught in the tube into the bulb)
- Empty them into a measuring cup
- Record the output twice a day
It sounds intimidating, but the whole process takes just a few minutes per drain. My mom used alcohol wipes to clean the tubing before stripping the fluid down and emptying it into a plastic cup to record the output.
Why Track Drain Output?
Your doctor uses your drain log to track how much fluid your body is producing. Once output slows down, your drains can be removed—sometimes as soon as the first week!
- Week 1: One drain was removed
- Week 2: The next drain was removed
Drain Care Essentials
Your hospital will likely provide these items, but it’s good to be prepared:
- Plastic measuring cups
- Alcohol wipes
- Gloves
- Drain log
Helpful Tips:
✅ Have someone help you if possible—it takes a load off your mind.
✅ Set reminders for emptying—drains need to be emptied regularly.
✅ Keep everything in one place—it makes the process easier.
✅ Plan for no showers—my doctor didn’t allow showers for two weeks, so I put a towel on the floor in front of the sink and used a damp washcloth to freshen up.
✅ Treat yourself to a hair wash—I went to a salon for a shampoo & blowout a few times, and it was heaven! A fresh blowout lasted days and made me feel so much better.
The Drain Removal Process
At my one-week post-op visit, my doctor reviewed my drain log and confirmed my output was low enough for removal.
What Happens During Drain Removal?
- They remove the tape securing the drain.
- They snip the small stitch holding it in place.
They ask you to breathe in, then pull it out on the exhale—it’s over in seconds!
My Experience with Drain Removal
🗓 Week 1 Post-Op Drain Removal:
✔ Drain 1: Got stuck, and she had to tug twice—I jumped off the table!
🗓 Week 2 Post-Op Drain Removal:
✔ Drain 2: Given my first experience, I braced for the worst… but I didn’t feel a thing!
It was a glorious relief to have them out!
That’s it! I hope this was helpful if you’re preparing for a mastectomy. If you have questions, please reach out. No one fights alone.
💗 #NoOneFightsAlone #Breasties #MastectomyRecovery
