Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Mastectomy with Flap Reconstruction Questions about Mastectomy with Flap Reconstruction. |
1,010 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/23/2011 | I had a BMX with stacked flaps from my stomach and SGAP 25 days ago. I still have the 2 JP tubes in my hips. The left one had gone down to 15 cc's/day so was to come out after the weekend but then it jumped to 40 for one day then back down to around 25 then 20. The other one is consistently around 25-30. I am on minocycline until the drains come out. I like my PS a lot(who is in another state and let's his staff deal with post surgical questions), but I am dealing with a very young PA who is not easy to communicate with and I'm looking for another opinion about my JP drains. Is it common to still have the drains putting this amount out for this long? What is the longest I can expect to have them? Is it normal for my lower stomach to look so swollen? I was not large to begin with (5'6" and 125 lbs.) and in good shape. Thank you for your input. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/23/2011 | drains still putting out more than desired happens about 5-10% of the time. As you become more active the drain amount can increase. you need to be active though!! give it another 4-6 days. If not reducing by then to less than 30cc in a 24 hour period then it is likely that the surgeon will pull them anyway and rely on your body to absorb the remaining fluid which it usually does quite well. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.