Does anyone know how long I will have to have a drain in?
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Does anyone know how long I will have to have a drain in?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Does anyone know how long I will have to have a drain in?

  • Post
    • January 11, 2015 at 4:07 am
    Jsneathen21
    Participant

    As you all may know I am about to have my melanoma removed and skin graft also the sentinel node will be done all at once.. I was told I was going to have a drain in after the node biopsy.. How long did you have yours in for? Or do you know how long? Sorry just super nervous I've never had any surgeries before .. This is my first one ever.. Thanks to the melanoma 🙁 thanks for your support everyone 

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  • Replies
      • January 11, 2015 at 4:23 am
      Ginger8888
      Participant

      Mine was in for a week but i depends on how much fluid is coming out, you have to under a certain # before they'll take it out..Good lucjk, It's really not that bad just annoying..

      • January 11, 2015 at 4:23 am
      Ginger8888
      Participant

      Mine was in for a week but i depends on how much fluid is coming out, you have to under a certain # before they'll take it out..Good lucjk, It's really not that bad just annoying..

      • January 11, 2015 at 4:23 am
      Ginger8888
      Participant

      Mine was in for a week but i depends on how much fluid is coming out, you have to under a certain # before they'll take it out..Good lucjk, It's really not that bad just annoying..

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:28 am
        Jsneathen21
        Participant

        Oh ok! Yea I'm just not looking forward to it:( where did you have yours at on your body?

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:28 am
        Jsneathen21
        Participant

        Oh ok! Yea I'm just not looking forward to it:( where did you have yours at on your body?

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:28 am
        Jsneathen21
        Participant

        Oh ok! Yea I'm just not looking forward to it:( where did you have yours at on your body?

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:34 am
        Ginger8888
        Participant

        My drain came out from my chest/ should area, my surgery went from the back of my ear all the way down my neck to my shoulder and the front of my ear along my jawline..

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:34 am
        Ginger8888
        Participant

        My drain came out from my chest/ should area, my surgery went from the back of my ear all the way down my neck to my shoulder and the front of my ear along my jawline..

        • January 11, 2015 at 4:34 am
        Ginger8888
        Participant

        My drain came out from my chest/ should area, my surgery went from the back of my ear all the way down my neck to my shoulder and the front of my ear along my jawline..

      • January 11, 2015 at 2:56 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      I had two drains in my upper thigh.  I had them in for about 4-5 weeks.  That's longer I believe than what's customary.  But as the other responded mentioned, that's preducated on how much fluid you collect in the drain-bulb and transcribed into your log.  I also had a post-op infection which sent me back to Sloan for about 8 days on IV antibiotics.  That is neither usual nor totally unheard.  All in all I would say more of an annoyance.  In most cases, the drains come out after 2-3 weeks I think.

      • January 11, 2015 at 2:56 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      I had two drains in my upper thigh.  I had them in for about 4-5 weeks.  That's longer I believe than what's customary.  But as the other responded mentioned, that's preducated on how much fluid you collect in the drain-bulb and transcribed into your log.  I also had a post-op infection which sent me back to Sloan for about 8 days on IV antibiotics.  That is neither usual nor totally unheard.  All in all I would say more of an annoyance.  In most cases, the drains come out after 2-3 weeks I think.

      • January 11, 2015 at 2:56 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      I had two drains in my upper thigh.  I had them in for about 4-5 weeks.  That's longer I believe than what's customary.  But as the other responded mentioned, that's preducated on how much fluid you collect in the drain-bulb and transcribed into your log.  I also had a post-op infection which sent me back to Sloan for about 8 days on IV antibiotics.  That is neither usual nor totally unheard.  All in all I would say more of an annoyance.  In most cases, the drains come out after 2-3 weeks I think.

      • January 11, 2015 at 5:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      FYI. Some people responding here are talking about drains after a complete lymph node dissection, not a SLNB.  Many people having a SLNB don't have drains.  Your graft might be influencing this. 

        • January 11, 2015 at 11:07 pm
        momof4boys
        Participant
        That is correct, you do not have a drain for just a sentinel node because the other nodes are still there. I think there is some confusion here and details from both surgeries are being mixed. There is no need for a drain unless you have no nodes or if they do not work.
        • January 11, 2015 at 11:07 pm
        momof4boys
        Participant
        That is correct, you do not have a drain for just a sentinel node because the other nodes are still there. I think there is some confusion here and details from both surgeries are being mixed. There is no need for a drain unless you have no nodes or if they do not work.
        • January 11, 2015 at 11:07 pm
        momof4boys
        Participant
        That is correct, you do not have a drain for just a sentinel node because the other nodes are still there. I think there is some confusion here and details from both surgeries are being mixed. There is no need for a drain unless you have no nodes or if they do not work.
      • January 11, 2015 at 5:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      FYI. Some people responding here are talking about drains after a complete lymph node dissection, not a SLNB.  Many people having a SLNB don't have drains.  Your graft might be influencing this. 

      • January 11, 2015 at 5:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      FYI. Some people responding here are talking about drains after a complete lymph node dissection, not a SLNB.  Many people having a SLNB don't have drains.  Your graft might be influencing this. 

      • January 12, 2015 at 1:23 am
      Everymoment
      Participant
      Hey,
      I had a SNB done and the drain was in for 2 weeks. Not bad, at all. Very little pain & I could work.
      Isabel
      • January 12, 2015 at 1:23 am
      Everymoment
      Participant
      Hey,
      I had a SNB done and the drain was in for 2 weeks. Not bad, at all. Very little pain & I could work.
      Isabel
      • January 12, 2015 at 1:23 am
      Everymoment
      Participant
      Hey,
      I had a SNB done and the drain was in for 2 weeks. Not bad, at all. Very little pain & I could work.
      Isabel
      • January 13, 2015 at 4:35 pm
      milerstar1
      Participant

      I have had 2 lymph node dissections now, both arms have no lymph nodes and both drains stayed in about 2 weeks.  No issues with them, just annoying, but could work and all just fine.  Even go for a run.

      • January 13, 2015 at 4:35 pm
      milerstar1
      Participant

      I have had 2 lymph node dissections now, both arms have no lymph nodes and both drains stayed in about 2 weeks.  No issues with them, just annoying, but could work and all just fine.  Even go for a run.

      • January 13, 2015 at 4:35 pm
      milerstar1
      Participant

      I have had 2 lymph node dissections now, both arms have no lymph nodes and both drains stayed in about 2 weeks.  No issues with them, just annoying, but could work and all just fine.  Even go for a run.

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