Question about drains?

[noahjames]

Hi friends!  So I'm 2 days post-op and surprisingly getting along super well.  The bandage is SO tight and I hate sleeping on my back, but I haven't experienced much pain.  I empty my drains 1-2 times a day, and record the amount of fluid, color, etc.  I emptied my drains at 11am today and both drains had 20ml of blood.  I emptied them again at 11:30pm today.  My right drain had, again, 20ml of fluid.  My left drain, though, had 30ml (which is the amount that I had one day post-op.)  Should I be concerned at all?  I've already emailed my surgeon with plenty of panicky questions, so I don't want to keep bothering her if I don't need to haha.

[RaptorChops]

the only time you should be worried is if you are emptying your drains every hour. I believe you empty them every 4-5 hours. It will start to slow down in a few days. I know my left side drained out a lot more than my right side.

By the way CONGRATS and take it VERY EASY. be gentle and don't reach up for anything too out of the way

[FTMax]

the only time you should be worried is if you are emptying your drains every hour. I believe you empty them every 4-5 hours. It will start to slow down in a few days. I know my left side drained out a lot more than my right side.

By the way CONGRATS and take it VERY EASY. be gentle and don't reach up for anything too out of the way

Yep, this.

It should slow down, and the coloration should start to change. If it does not slow down over the course of a few days and the coloration does not change from a bright red to a dull red/yellow/brown, then be concerned.