Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => FTM Top Surgery => Topic started by: Ayden on July 25, 2014, 02:27:16 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Not draining?
Post by: Ayden on July 25, 2014, 02:27:16 AM
Post by: Ayden on July 25, 2014, 02:27:16 AM
Hey guys. I made it out I surgery! I couldn't be happier. Ill do an in depth post about my experiences later on when I'm less loopy. I had a quick question about drains; I have slow draining on my left side and very little swelling, but my right side has yet to drain. There is fluid in the tubes but not in the bulb. I will be calling Dr.Garramone as soon as his office opens, but in the mean time I thought I'd ask here so I would stop worrying. Thanks!
Title: Re: Not draining?
Post by: Bimmer Guy on July 25, 2014, 06:37:43 AM
Post by: Bimmer Guy on July 25, 2014, 06:37:43 AM
Hey, Ayden.
Garramone's office will be opening in an hour or so, but I am guessing they are going to tell you it is ok (or at least for this early in the game?). They might also explain to you how to help the fluid move along from the tubes into the bulb. Pinch the tubing from closest to your chest move your fingers, moving your fingers along, continuing to press the whole way down. They say to do that with clots. Maybe you just need to get the suction going.
Congrats again. Will look forward to your review (?)/update whenever you feel rested enough. No rush, take care of you.
Welcome to the club, Mr. Clone!
-Brett
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Garramone's office will be opening in an hour or so, but I am guessing they are going to tell you it is ok (or at least for this early in the game?). They might also explain to you how to help the fluid move along from the tubes into the bulb. Pinch the tubing from closest to your chest move your fingers, moving your fingers along, continuing to press the whole way down. They say to do that with clots. Maybe you just need to get the suction going.
Congrats again. Will look forward to your review (?)/update whenever you feel rested enough. No rush, take care of you.
Welcome to the club, Mr. Clone!
-Brett
Title: Re: Not draining?
Post by: Alexthecat on July 25, 2014, 08:31:11 AM
Post by: Alexthecat on July 25, 2014, 08:31:11 AM
I barely drained so don't freak out if you don't very much. Just make sure there is suction going on.
Title: Re: Not draining?
Post by: aleon515 on July 25, 2014, 01:22:07 PM
Post by: aleon515 on July 25, 2014, 01:22:07 PM
Congrats and welcome to the friendly clone army brotherhood. :)
Anyway, something I learned at NBR might be helpful. YOu may not actually have a full vacuum/suction, which would keep it from draining. Squeeze the tubes both vertically and horizontally (longwise and also in half). This might take a little hand muscle. Also make sure they are closed tightly. But it is possible you aren't producing all that much drainage. I didn't. It was maybe 30-60cc the whole time I had them in.
--Jay
Anyway, something I learned at NBR might be helpful. YOu may not actually have a full vacuum/suction, which would keep it from draining. Squeeze the tubes both vertically and horizontally (longwise and also in half). This might take a little hand muscle. Also make sure they are closed tightly. But it is possible you aren't producing all that much drainage. I didn't. It was maybe 30-60cc the whole time I had them in.
--Jay
Title: Re: Not draining?
Post by: Fox in Socks on July 25, 2014, 07:05:34 PM
Post by: Fox in Socks on July 25, 2014, 07:05:34 PM
Congratulations. ;D
So, the instructions my surgeon gave me in case of clotting inside the tubes were to pinch the tube near the incision with the thumb and index finger of one hand (so as to secure it), and with the other hand, pull/pinch along the length of the tube from the base to the bulb, so as to force any clots through the tube and into the bulb. The bulb itself should be squeezed pretty tightly when it's reconnected to the tube, creating a sort of gentle vacuum to pull the fluid out and into the tube. Your surgeon probably told you the same thing or something similar, and it most likely isn't anything you did wrong. I had something similar happen. After my operation, on my right-hand side, I had a lot of swelling and bruising, but hardly any fluid draining; while the left was draining well and hardly swollen at all. This tripped me out and I worried if the drain was congested or if somehow the tubes had disconnected themselves from somewhere critical, and that the swelling on my right might have been fluid trapped and building up. But before the operation, my surgeon had assured me that each side would absolutely not drain equally; that it was actually unusual to have the same amount of fluid in each bulb. He asked me to keep a record of the times I emptied them and the amounts inside each bulb, and the amounts I had were totally random; sometimes one bulb wouldn't even need emptying while the other would be at almost full capacity, which was alright... even though the right side seemed to have missing, vanishing fluid. At some point my right side started draining more, even more than I thought should have been normal. My guess is that it just moves slowly and likes being unpredictable. :laugh:
So, the instructions my surgeon gave me in case of clotting inside the tubes were to pinch the tube near the incision with the thumb and index finger of one hand (so as to secure it), and with the other hand, pull/pinch along the length of the tube from the base to the bulb, so as to force any clots through the tube and into the bulb. The bulb itself should be squeezed pretty tightly when it's reconnected to the tube, creating a sort of gentle vacuum to pull the fluid out and into the tube. Your surgeon probably told you the same thing or something similar, and it most likely isn't anything you did wrong. I had something similar happen. After my operation, on my right-hand side, I had a lot of swelling and bruising, but hardly any fluid draining; while the left was draining well and hardly swollen at all. This tripped me out and I worried if the drain was congested or if somehow the tubes had disconnected themselves from somewhere critical, and that the swelling on my right might have been fluid trapped and building up. But before the operation, my surgeon had assured me that each side would absolutely not drain equally; that it was actually unusual to have the same amount of fluid in each bulb. He asked me to keep a record of the times I emptied them and the amounts inside each bulb, and the amounts I had were totally random; sometimes one bulb wouldn't even need emptying while the other would be at almost full capacity, which was alright... even though the right side seemed to have missing, vanishing fluid. At some point my right side started draining more, even more than I thought should have been normal. My guess is that it just moves slowly and likes being unpredictable. :laugh:
Title: Re: Not draining?
Post by: Arch on July 26, 2014, 06:43:11 PM
Post by: Arch on July 26, 2014, 06:43:11 PM
You should be getting SOME drainage, so it looks like you do have a problem with the suction, or maybe you have a clot in the line. You seem to have some good advice here.
I'm glad you are done! Now you can take it easy for a bit and just enjoy having a post-surgical chest!
I'm glad you are done! Now you can take it easy for a bit and just enjoy having a post-surgical chest!