Anybody have drainage tubes for exchange surgery?
 

I am scheduled to have my exchange surgery in a couple of weeks. My PS told me that I will need to have drains for a week. I was surprised to hear this because I thought I only needed those for the original double mastectomy surgery. Have any of you had to have drains in for this procedure?

Thanks

Re: Anybody have drainage tubes for exchange surgery?
 

No, no drains. Are you just having a straight exchange - expanders for implants? Nothing like diep? If so, it's very easy.

Janis

Re: Anybody have drainage tubes for exchange surgery?
 

Janis,

I'm just having the expanders removed and the implants placed, no DEIP. The procedure does sound pretty simple and I think that is why I was surprised to hear that I needed those darn drains again. I haven't heard of anybody else needing drains for this surgery so I was just curious.

When I asked my PS about this he said that anytime he fills an "empty" space with something, he insists on drains. If somebody was having elective breast augmentation they wouldn't need the drains because the space in the breast isn't "empty".

Thanks for your response

Re: Anybody have drainage tubes for exchange surgery?
 

I guess each surgeon has their own process. Still doesn't make sense since there really isn't anything there to drain. I can relate to your questioning, i do it all the time.

Janis