Post Breast Implant Removal: Should Drain be Removed if Only Drainage is 150cc of Breast Milk?

asked 10 months ago by heidiboro in Columbia, SC
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 145 times
Tags: breast feeding, breast milk, drains, staph infection

I had an emergency breast explantation done last week due to staph infection that ate a lot of my breast tissue. I was breastfeeding at that time and my jp drain is filling up with 150cc of milk daily no other drainage has been noted just the breastmilk. My surgeon is questioning wether or not she should remove the drain and what the next step should be wether I should try and dry up the milk or not ?

2 answers to Post Breast Implant Removal: Should Drain be Removed if Only Drainage is 150cc of Breast Milk?

Drain Removal Timing?

Thank you for the question. Your surgeon will be in the best position to determine timing of drain removal. If it were me, I would leave the drain in until ANY fluid drainage was less than 20 mL per train per day. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Removal - Post Breast Implant Removal: Should Drain be Removed if Only Drainage is 150cc of Breast Milk?

Your issue has presumably been resolved by now but, in general, drains stay in until the drainage is ABOUT 30 cc per day. It's harder to be give an answer when the substance you're talking about is breast milk; it's usually blood, serous fluid, or a combination. With just breast milk it's less of a concern from the standpoint of blood accumulating - but even the breast milk can become trapped and could, theoretically, cause a problem. It may also be breast... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates

Post Breast Implant Removal: Should Drain be Removed if Only Drainage is 150cc of Breast Milk?

Drain Removal Timing?

Breast Implant Removal - Post Breast Implant Removal: Should Drain be Removed if Only Drainage is 150cc of Breast Milk?

Doctors Nearby

Related Breast Implant Removal Q&A