How to Care for Your Jackson-Pratt Drains After Mastectomy

Coming home after a mastectomy can feel like a lot — a new body, new routines, and often, Jackson-Pratt (JP) drains coming out of your chest or sides. They can look scary at first, but with some guidance and practice, you can absolutely learn to care for them safely at home.

JP drains are small silicone tubes that help remove extra fluid from the surgery site so your body can heal. They’re temporary, but while they’re in, they need gentle, consistent care. Below is a simple overview to walk you through what to expect and how to take care of them. This is not a replacement for your surgeon’s instructions — always follow your medical team first.

What Your JP Drains Are Doing

After surgery, your body naturally produces fluid as part of the healing process. JP drains:

• Remove extra blood and fluid from the surgical area
• Help reduce swelling and discomfort
• Lower the risk of complications like fluid buildup (seromas)

Each drain is connected to a soft bulb that acts like a little suction pump. Keeping that bulb properly compressed and emptied is a big part of your at-home care.

Emptying Your Drains

Your care team will tell you how often to empty your drains — often every 8–12 hours, or whenever the bulb is about half full. Try to do it at the same times each day so you can track your healing.

1. Wash your hands
   Use soap and water and dry well. This is one of the most important steps.
2. Open the bulb
   Hold the bulb upright, point the opening into a measuring cup, and gently open the plug at the top.
3. Empty the fluid
   Let the fluid drain into the cup. It may be red, pink, or straw-colored depending on where you are in recovery.
4. Measure and record
   Check how many milliliters (mL) are in the cup. Write down the amount, the time, and which drain it came from. Your surgeon uses this to decide when drains can be removed.
5. Compress the bulb
   Gently squeeze the bulb flat with one hand, then close the plug with the other hand while it’s still flattened. This creates the suction needed to keep fluid moving out.
6. Secure the bulb
   Use a lanyard, drain belt, safety pin on a soft shirt, or a post-op camisole with drain pockets so the bulb doesn’t pull on your skin.

“Stripping” / Milking the Drain Lines (Only If Your Team Recommends It)

Sometimes fluid or tiny clots can settle inside the tubing and slow the flow into the bulb. Your nurse or surgeon may show you how to gently “strip” (also called milking) the drain line — which simply means using your fingers to push what’s inside the tube down toward the drain bulb.

Only do this if your medical team specifically instructed you to. If you were told not to strip your drains, skip this step.

How to strip your JP drain line:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Lubricate your fingers.
   Use an alcohol wipe (or a tiny amount of lotion if your nurse approves) so your fingers slide smoothly on the tubing.
3. Stabilize the tubing.
   With one hand, hold the tubing close to where it exits your skin so you don’t tug or pull.
4. Milk the line downward.
   With your other hand, pinch the tubing between your thumb and forefinger and gently slide your fingers down the tubing toward the bulb in one slow, steady motion — pushing any fluid or small clots into the bulb.
5. Repeat if needed.
   You may repeat a few times until the tubing looks clearer and fluid moves freely.

You should never force the tubing. If stripping causes pain, you feel resistance, the line won’t clear, or anything feels “off,” stop and contact your surgeon’s office.

Keeping the Drain Sites Clean and Comfortable

The area where the tubing comes out of your skin may feel tender or sore — that’s normal. To keep things comfortable:

• Follow your surgeon’s instructions about changing dressings or leaving the site open to air.
• Keep the area dry unless your care team says you can shower.
• Wear loose, soft clothing that doesn’t rub or pull on the drains.
• Use drain belts, lanyards, or special recovery tops to support the bulbs.

Avoid putting lotion, powder, or creams right at the drain exit site unless your doctor specifically says it’s okay.

When to Call Your Surgeon or Nurse

Always follow your discharge instructions, and don’t hesitate to call your surgeon’s office if something doesn’t feel right. Reach out to your care team right away if you notice:

• Fever or chills
• Increased redness, warmth, or swelling around the drain site
• Thick, foul-smelling, or pus-like drainage
• A sudden jump in the amount of fluid, or the fluid turns very cloudy
• Drainage stops completely much earlier than expected
• The tubing comes out, breaks, or the bulb won’t stay compressed

You are never “bothering” your team by calling. Your healing and safety are the priority.

Watch: Step-by-Step JP Drain Care

Sometimes it’s easier to see it done than to read about it. The video below shows you how to care for your drains at home.

You Don’t Have to Navigate Recovery Alone

Learning how to care for your drains is just one part of recovery. There’s also pain management, sleep, clothing, bathing, meals, and the emotional weight of everything you’ve just been through.

That’s why Re-Femme exists — so you can receive the kind of practical, loving support that actually makes daily life after surgery a little easier.

Ready to feel a little less alone?

Set up your personalized Re-Femme registry to receive contributions toward cold capping, wigs, recovery comforts, and other survivor-vetted essentials.