After leaving hospital

It might take a while to get used to moving around with a drain attached. Remember to pick up the drainage bottle when you move. Be careful not to get the tube caught on any furniture. 

Do not raise the drainage bottle higher than your wound. Raising the bottle too high might make the fluid pour back into the wound.

Measuring your drainage

We’ll give you a drain management chart so you can log your drainage. You can also download a chart and print it yourself.

Measure the amount of drainage at about 8am every morning.

How to measure your drainage

1. Put the bottle on a flat surface.
2. Measure the amount of fluid in the bottle since the last measurement (24-hour drainage).
3. Measure the total amount in the bottle (total drainage).
4. Write both amounts in your drain management chart.
5. Mark the level of drainage on the white strip on side of the bottle. Draw a small line where the fluid comes up to and write the date next to it. Use a biro or permanent marker so it does not get smudged.

Here’s an example of how to write in your drain management chart.

Changing your drainage bottle

Before you leave hospital, your nurse will show you how to change your drainage bottle. We’ll give you spare bottles in case you need them.

You might need to change your bottle if:

• your bottle is full
• your bottle has lost its vacuum and suction – you can tell this has happened if the green vacuum indicator has popped up
• the tube disconnects from your bottle

How to change your drainage bottle

Stick a strip of white tape onto the new bottle. Write on this when you measure your drainage.

Problems with your drain and how to solve them

If the drainage bottle loses its vacuum

The drain needs to be airtight for your bottle to keep its vacuum. There is a green vacuum indicator at the top of the bottle.

When the vacuum and suction is working, the vacuum indicator will be pressed down.

If the bottle loses its vacuum and suction, the vacuum indicator will expand and pop up.

This might happen because either:

• there’s an air leak in the bottle
• there’s an air leak where the tube enters your body

First, check if the tube is connected tightly to your bottle. Sometimes the connection can become loose when you move around. If the tube is already screwed on tightly, try changing your drainage bottle.

If your new bottle loses its vacuum again, the leak might be where the tube enters your body instead. You might need to come into the plastic surgery dressing clinic so we can seal the area with new dressings. Bring any spare wound dressings that your nurse gave you while you were in hospital.

If the tube comes out of your wound

If the tube falls out or if you accidentally pull it out, try not to panic. Your wound might leak fluid or start bleeding slightly.

Put a clean towel or gauze over your wound. Put pressure on the area for at least 15 minutes or until the leaking or bleeding stops. When it stops, cover the wound with a clean plaster and contact your clinical nurse specialists.

If it does not stop leaking or bleeding after 20 minutes, go to your nearest A&E.

Blocked tube

It’s normal for blood clots or pieces of tissue to move through the tube. Try not to panic if you see them. They will usually end up in the bottle.

If you’re worried that the tube has become blocked, contact us for advice.

Pain and discomfort

It’s normal to feel stiff and uncomfortable because it’s harder to move around with the drain attached. You might feel the tubes under your skin. Try your best to move around as normally as possible.

You might also feel some pain around your wound where the drain is. Your surgeon will give you a prescription for painkillers to help manage this.

If you’re struggling to manage your pain, or if you start feeling any new and unusual pain, contact your clinical nurse specialists.

Fluid collecting near your wound (seroma)

If the drain is not working properly, fluid might collect near your wound. If this happens, you might need to have a different procedure to remove the fluid. Contact your clinical nurse specialists if you get any swelling.

When to get help

When to remove the drain

We can remove the drain when:

• the drain collects less than 30ml of fluid in 24 hours
• your surgical team confirms it’s safe to remove

How long you need to keep the drain in for depends on what surgery you had and how your body is recovering. Your surgeon or nurse will tell you how long you might need to keep the drain in.

After plastic surgery

After most types of plastic surgery, we can usually remove the drain after 5 to 7 days.

For some types of plastic surgery, it can take longer. For example, after a groin lymph node clearance, it can take up to 8 weeks.

After breast surgery

After breast surgery, we can usually remove the drain within 2 weeks.

How to remove the drain

You usually need to come into the plastic surgery dressing clinic to get your drain removed. If you live far away, you might be able to ask a local district nurse to remove your drain instead.

You must get confirmation from your surgical team before asking a district nurse to remove your drain.

Your nurse will explain the procedure and ask for your consent. Talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

First, we’ll remove the vacuum and suction from the drainage bottle. Then we’ll remove the wound dressing and stitches holding the tube in place.

We’ll ask you to take a deep breath as we remove the tube. Once the tube is out, we’ll cover the area with an absorbent dressing. Your wound might continue to leak until it has completely healed.

Follow-up appointments

If you need follow-up appointments, your healthcare team will let you know. Ask your nurse if you are not sure.