Drainage

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandi,

Just stick with it, you are doing fine. My " spewing " lasted 89-90 long, long

days. At about where you are, I was changing the bandages about as often

(and if I didn't, I was, really, really sorry I didn't -- LOL). This WILL

end. Don't worry about not using your binder -- I continued to use my binder

as part of my bandage package, and didn't stop using it until 3 months. This

is THE most common " complication " of the surgery, and many of us have to live

through the gunky, nasty, evil stuff spewing forth from our bodies.

(Now the absolute BEST part of my " ordeal " was grossing out my 18-year-old

son the day the guck started to spew for the first time! He STILL hasn't

recovered! LOL)

I do know how you feel and what you are going through. It is like

childbirth, too, in that once it stops, you won't have too much of a bad

memory of it, just another " fun " incident in your live that makes a gross-out

story for those story-telling times in your life! LOL

Hang in there, girlie!

Hugs and blessings, Ann

[Guest guest]

On Tue, 20 May 2003 15:43:04 -0000, Sandi wrote:

>I know I have discussed (okay...written), to a couple of you about

>the drainage after surgery- but thought maybe if I post this,

>somebody might have a better tip to lessen it. Here I am almost 4

>weeks out- and every day is a " heavy flow day " . (not very pretty OR

>aromatic if you know what I mean) I am changing the dressing at least

>3-4 times a day, and dread it every time. I was hoping that the

>drainage would at least begin to decrease. I have written Dee, who

>conveys that this is " normal " , and did mention using a heating pad

>to " loosen things up quicker " .

>I apologize to those of you who haven't had breakfast yet....because

>this really isn't a pretty subject. I think what concerns me, is

>that in about 2 weeks I am suppose to be able to go without the

>binder, however right now my binder is part of my whole " bandage

>package " .

>As for everything else, I am having no issues with water, or eating

>(however.....I still don't get 80 grams of protien in a day...I just

>can't eat that much). I eat protien about every 4 hours- so I am

>probably closer to 60 grams.

>

>Thanks to all for your replies....and good luck to all on their

>pending surgery.

>Sandi

>

Sandi,

I'm in the same boat right now. However, there is a way to lessen the flow

into the bandages while still getting rid of most of the drainage, as long

as you're willing to do a little of the work.

Before I get into this to far, this is something I learned from my sister,

an RN, a number of years back and we checked with Dee before starting to

use it in my case.

You'll need one of those flexible hose shower heads with a very gentle

setting or basically a no spray flow setting, a tub or shower seat, and

your handy anti-bacterial soap.

The shower will need to be set on warm, near body temprature or slightly

warmer.

When it's time to change the bandage, step into the shower and sit down.

Remove the bandage. ( puts it in a small trash bag that she

immediately twists and then ties.) Gently rinse the area arounf the

incision with clear water.

Now comes the yucky work part..

With one hand, place your thumb about an inch or so slightly above and to

the side of the opening when the drainage is coming from. You want the

pressure from your thumb to hold that opening open. Using the rest of your

fingers on the same hand, genlty push from the side to the incision line.

This will force the additional fluids out of the wound. Keep repeating

this gentle pressure/pushing motion as you work toward the bottom of the

incicion area. All the while you are doing this, use your other hand to

flush the gunk off you and down the drain with the shower.

When the flow stops from one side, repeat the same procedure from the

other.

Once there is no more visible flow from the drain site, gently wash the

area with anti-bacterial soap, dry, and cover the incision area with a

fresh gauze pad.

My sister says the medical term for this is " expressing the wound " and that

it helps promote healing.

All I know is that when I first started draining this past Sunday, I had to

use three maxi-pads per hour to even have half a chance of containing the

flow. After I started the above, I'm down to maybe three times a day and

I'm using four 4X4 gauze pads. Once they start getting damp, I hit the

shower and I'm good for another 8 hours.

I don't guarantee it will be that effective for you, but it may be worth

the try. However, make sure you clear it with Dee or someone else from the

office first.

Hope that helps,

Jerry

[Guest guest]

It's most likely blood. Smear one on a paper towel to see.On Apr 16, 2008, at 6:22 AM, wkapikorn wrote:Does anyone else get very large black chunks in their drainage? Sorry, that's a gross question--but I've never seen anyone mention it.The onion juice doesn't sting when I use it, and it still seemed to work. I don't know why it works, but it does. But I only have used it twice when I was developing infections. I don't use it normally.I just couldn't tolerate the Sinucleanse. Ken, Sinucleanse is nothing like Sinusbusters or anything like that, it's basically the same as irrigating with self-made solution or the NeilMed packets or whatever, it's just that it's a different ratio of the two ingredients (table salt and baking soda), and in my case it stung too much to use it at all. It just happened to be what came with my Neti-Pot. I don't know what the ratios are, but the Sinucleanse burns. The NeilMed says it's pH balanced, so maybe that's why it does not sting. I don't know. Anyway, they are both basically simple saline solution plus baking soda made from packets. Nothing fancy. I just find the convenience of the packets to work for me.Lori------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

I had another thought. When I used to do some especially dirty demolition of an old building, I would blow black buggers. That was before I knew about irrigation. Have you been breathing dirt?

Pam

On 4/16/08 7:21 AM, " Pamela " <pam@...> wrote:

It's most likely blood. Smear one on a paper towel to see.

On Apr 16, 2008, at 6:22 AM, wkapikorn wrote:

Does anyone else get very large black chunks in their drainage? Sorry, that's a gross question--but I've never seen anyone mention it.

The onion juice doesn't sting when I use it, and it still seemed to

work. I don't know why it works, but it does. But I only have used

it twice when I was developing infections. I don't use it normally.

I just couldn't tolerate the Sinucleanse. Ken, Sinucleanse is

nothing like Sinusbusters or anything like that, it's basically the

same as irrigating with self-made solution or the NeilMed packets or whatever, it's just that it's a different ratio of the two

ingredients (table salt and baking soda), and in my case it stung too much to use it at all.

It just happened to be what came with my Neti-Pot. I don't know what the ratios are, but the Sinucleanse burns. The NeilMed says it's pH balanced, so maybe that's why it does not sting. I don't know. Anyway, they are both basically simple saline solution plus baking soda made from packets. Nothing fancy. I just find the convenience of the packets to work for me.

Lori

------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

The onion juice doesn't sting when I use it, and it still seemed to work. I don't know why it works, but it does. But I only have used it twice when I was developing infections. I don't use it normally.I just couldn't tolerate the Sinucleanse. Ken, Sinucleanse is nothing like Sinusbusters or anything like that, it's basically the same as irrigating with self-made solution or the NeilMed packets or whatever, it's just that it's a different ratio of the two ingredients (table salt and baking soda), and in my case it stung too much to use it at all. It just happened to be what came with my Neti-Pot. I don't know what the ratios are, but the Sinucleanse burns. The NeilMed says it's pH balanced, so maybe that's why it does not sting. I don't know. Anyway, they are both basically simple saline solution plus baking soda made from packets. Nothing fancy. I just find the convenience of the packets

to work for me.Lori------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

My drain wound had pretty much stopped draining, then yesterday afternoon I was

sitting on the couch and it just started oozing, really oozing, like lots.

I got scared, called Gaby at Dr Aceves office she said it is normal, but I still

think it is weird.

Has this happened to anyone else here?

[Guest guest]

Mine did something similar. I hadn't had any drainage at all until about 1 +

weeks out when I had turned over to my left side in my sleep for the first time

since surgery. I woke up soaked. Gabby assured me it was okay as long as it

wasn't infected looking and I wasn't running a fever. It drained A LOT for a

few days and now at 2 weeks it's been dry for a few days now and is almost

completely closed up. I was worried when it happened too but now all is well.

Blessings!

Ruttan

>

> My drain wound had pretty much stopped draining, then yesterday afternoon I

was sitting on the couch and it just started oozing, really oozing, like lots.

> I got scared, called Gaby at Dr Aceves office she said it is normal, but I

still think it is weird.

> Has this happened to anyone else here?

>

[Guest guest]

,

   Thank you so much. That is reassuring to me to know I am not alone. Actually mine was the same, I rolled to my left and gusher happened, drained alot for 3 days, now seems to be okie dokie.

On Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 9:21 AM, tracy_and_ken <MapleFalls@...> wrote:

 

Mine did something similar. I hadn't had any drainage at all until about 1 + weeks out when I had turned over to my left side in my sleep for the first time since surgery. I woke up soaked. Gabby assured me it was okay as long as it wasn't infected looking and I wasn't running a fever. It drained A LOT for a few days and now at 2 weeks it's been dry for a few days now and is almost completely closed up. I was worried when it happened too but now all is well.

Blessings! Ruttan>

> My drain wound had pretty much stopped draining, then yesterday afternoon I was sitting on the couch and it just started oozing, really oozing, like lots.> I got scared, called Gaby at Dr Aceves office she said it is normal, but I still think it is weird.

> Has this happened to anyone else here?>

-- Loni