Depending on the type of drain used, there is little to no pain associated with removal. Drains that have a small flange cause a tugging sensation and a few seconds of pain as the flange comes through the skin, the rest of the drain slides out easily. Drains without a flange slide out once the suture is snipped with no pain. Sometimes you can feel the drain as it slides through the tissue, but it is not painful.
With my patients I remove the drain after five to seven days depending on how much is coming out over a twenty four hour period. I'm very patient and have waited up to two weeks. The drain is removed in the office and feels like mild pain Nd discomfort. My patients will take one tablet of Percocet and ask their husband to drive. Hope this answers your q