https://www.facepluspsi.com/drain/drain-care-post-op/instructions-for-drain-care%C2%A0-steps-to-empty%2C-measure-and-record-drainage%3A%C2%A0-wash-your-hands-thoroughly-before-emptying-the-drains.%C2%A0-while-the-bulb-is-squeezed-flat%2C-%E2%80%9Cstrip%E2%80%9D-the-tubing-with-an-alcohol-swab-or-wet-paper-towel.-this-will-help-get-all-of-the-liquid-into-the-bulb-and-move-clots-through-the-tubing-to-keep-the-drainage-flowing.-pinch-the-tubing-close-to-where-it-enters-your-skin-in-order-to-prevent-tugging%2C-which-can-be-painful.-strip-the-tubing-2-or-3-times-towards-the-bulb-before-you-empty-the-drain.%C2%A0-pull-the-plug-out-of-the-bulb-to-release-suction.%C2%A0-turn-the-bulb-upside-down-and-gently-squeeze-it-to-empty-the-fluid-into-a-measuring-cup.-clean-the-plug-with-alcohol.-then-squeeze-the-bulb-tightly-until-completely-compressed-and-flat.-while-the-bulb-is-flat%2C-put-the-plug-back-into-the-bulb.%C2%A0-the-bulb-should-stay-flat-after-it-is-plugged.-this-way-the-gentle-and-constant-vacuum-suction-can-restart.%C2%A0-measure-the-amount-of-fluid-you-collected-in-milliliters-(ml).-write-the-amount-of-drainage-and-the-color-as-well-as-the-date-and-time-you-collected-it.-record-these-on-the-attached-%E2%80%9Cdrain-log.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0-flush-the-fluid-down-the-toilet.%C2%A0-wash-your-hands.%C2%A0-keep-your-insertion-site-clean-and-dry-by-washing-it-with-soap-and-water-and-patting-it-dry.%C2%A0-troubleshooting-drain-problems%3A%C2%A0-my-drain-bulb-will-not-hold-suction%3A-if-your-drain-does-not-stay-flat-when-fully-compressed-with-the-plug-correctly-in-place%2C-it-will-not-provide-the-amount-of-suction-needed-to-remove-the-fluid-away-from-your-surgical-site.-if-this-happens%2C-try-to-strip-the-drain-tubing-several-times-and-try-compressing-the-bulb-again.-if-the-bulb-continues-to-not-stay-flat%2C-please-call-the-office%C2%A0-my-drain-site-is-leaking-fluid%3A-sometimes-fluid-leaks-from-around-the-drain-site.-this-can-wet-your-gauze-dressing-or-your-clothing.-if-this-happens%2C-remove-any-wet-dressings-and-use-soap-and-water-to-clean-the-area.-make-sure-that-the-bulb-drain-is-secured-and-%E2%80%9Cflat%E2%80%9D-for-the-suction-needed.%C2%A0-i-see-blood-clots-or-solid-debris-in-the-drain-tubing%2Fbulb%3A-it-is-common-for-small-debris-or-a-blood-clot-to-be-found-inside-the-tubing-or-bulb.-the-blood-clot-appears-as-a-dark%2C-stringy-lining.-it-could-prevent-the-drainage-from-flowing-through-the-tube.-try-to-strip-the-drain-to-move-the-clot-into-the-bulb.-if-drainage-is-completely-blocked-from-getting-into-the-bulb%2C-let-your-surgeon-know.%C2%A0-my-skin-where-the-drain-enters-is-red-and-tender%3A-the-drain-tubing-can-irritate-the-skin-at-the-drain-entrance-site.-this-is-normal-and-will-go-away-once-the-drain-is-removed.-you-can-apply-bacitracin-ointment-to-the-drain-site-once-daily.-you-can-also-use-gauze-to-create-a-%E2%80%9Cpillow%E2%80%9D-around-the-drain-site.-also%2C-holding-the-tubing-to-your-skin-with-an-additional-band-aid-can-help-secure-the-drain-better.-this-can-help-reduce-irritation.%C2%A0-call-the-office-immediately-if-you-have-any-of-the-following-signs-or-symptoms%3A%C2%A0-sudden-swelling%2C-redness%2C-warmth%2C-bleeding%2C-and%2For-foul-drainage-from-your-incision-or-drain-site.%C2%A0-sudden-increased-pain-that-cannot-be-relieved-by-prescribed-pain-medication.%C2%A0-fever-of-101%C2%B0f-(38%C2%B0c)-or-higher.%C2%A0-persistent-nausea-and%2For-vomiting.%C2%A0-calf-pain-or-tenderness.%C2%A0-shortness-of-breath.%C2%A0-caring-for-your-skin-after-drain-removal%3A%C2%A0-10.your-drain-will-be-removed-in-the-office-and-a-dressing-will-be-placed-over-the-former-drain-site.-remove-this-dressing-two-days-after-drain-removal.%C2%A0-11.do-not-take-a-bath-or-submerge-the-area-in-water-until-4-weeks-after-your-surgery.%C2%A0-12.wash-the-former-drain-site-gently-with-soap-and-rinse-the-area-with-warm-water.-gently-pat-the-area-dry.-it-is-important-to-keep-your-insertion-site-and-the-area-around-it-clean-and-dry-as-this-will-help-prevent-infection-and-promote-healing-of-your-skin.%C2%A0 2025-06-04