I was told my drains would stay in anywhere from 1-2 weeks and that they needed to be draining less than 20 cc's per side, per day. I wasn't draining much since leaving the hospital so in the back of mind I was REALLY hoping I could get the drains out today, if not by Friday. They have been SO awful. The drains are on either side of my chest and are inserted about 8 inches and held in by 2 stitches. They pull, they are sore, they hurt and limit my movement. Draining them is not big deal nor is attaching them to my clothing. It's the tubing under the skin that is so painful. So I went in and the nurse asked me how I'd been and I told her ok except for this dang tube top, and she said, "Well, let's get it off!" After a quick snip, snip it was gone forever! She asked to see my drain log (I had to log my drains 3 times a day) and said it looked good but she didn't think the drains would come out today but it was up to the doc. A few minutes later he came in and in the midst of my complaining and whining about the drains he said, "Well, let's take them out!" WHAT?! I was shocked...5 days in and those gawd awful things were already coming out, never to be seen again. He snipped the stitches and gently pulled the tubing out. I swear there was WAY more than 8 inches up in my chest but nope, I saw it when he pulled it out. He taped the wound and said tomorrow the holes would be gone (where the drain entered my body).
He then fitted me into my front close sports bra and told me I can wear it or not wear it, it's up to me and how I feel. I intend to wear it quite a bit because I am still pretty swollen on my left side and think the compression will be good for it. He suggested me staying on my pain pills for a few more days and I can't drive until they release me to do so. I go back next week for my next follow up and I'm sure I will be able to drive by then as long as I'm off my pain meds. I'm not sure my expansions will start then but here's hoping! Head over to the photo gallery to see pics from today.