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Do people always have drains after mastectomy? If so, for how long?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 19 7:20am | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
I had my bilateral mastectomy on 12/12/24. Had 2 of my drains removed at week 3 and the other 2 at week 4. I concur with comments here. More of an annoyance, than anything. No pain, per say. But, Mary, your comment regarding sandpaper on sunburn I can totally relate to. Started about week 3 and at week 5, still going. Cover my entire chest and under arms. I know it's from the nerve damage (neuropathy). I've asked for something to treat from both breast surgeon and oncologist and both said "it will go away over time." No meds offered. Praying it goes away soon, because it is miserable.
Best of luck to all going thru BC. Terri
Replies to "I had my bilateral mastectomy on 12/12/24. Had 2 of my drains removed at week 3..."
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YES! the "sandpaper-on-sunburn" feeling is the WORST! I also got it in a weird spot - mostly on my side/back rather than near my mastectomy scar/chest. The horrible feeling did go way . . can't remember how long it took, but felt really concerning at the time. I hadn't seen a description of that sensation anywhere in books or articles, but saw some online posts from patients with the description "sandpaper-on-sunburn" and it totally described it! That spot where I had it still hasn't gone fully back to normal. It's been 8 months and I only wear a very, very, very buttery soft bra (bralette?) with no seams (fortunately I'm very small chested so my remaining breast doesn't need a super supportive bra - just something to cover it up) and am still dying to take it off at the end of the day because my nerves on that side still feel wonky . . . not painful, just uncomfortable. Just a new reality. HANG IN THERE!!!!