Massage Therapists Can’t Legally Remove Your Drains or Stitches
"Do you remove drains?" I get asked this, word for word, more than you'd think.
Maybe you had surgery out of town. Your drains are still in, your stitches are itchy, and getting back to your surgeon's office means a flight, or at least a long drive. So you ask the person you're already seeing: "Can't you just take them out for me?"
Ay, mamas, I get why you're asking. But let's talk about it.
Can a massage therapist remove your drains? The quick answer
No. Removing drains and stitches is a medical procedure, and it belongs in a medical office, done by your surgeon's team or another medical provider. In California, it's outside a massage therapist's scope of practice, so legally, we can't do it. And honestly, even if we could, it's not something to do outside a medical setting, no matter how simple it looks on YouTube.
No, mi amor: no, my love. Not even "just this once."
Why it has to be done in a medical office
Infection risk. A drain site is an open path into your body. Removing it needs a clean, sterile setup.
Knowing when. Your surgeon decides when a drain is ready to come out, usually based on how much fluid it's collecting. Pull it too soon, and fluid can build up and turn into a seroma.
Knowing how. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others need to come out at a certain time and in a certain way. A medical provider knows which is which.
If something goes wrong, they can handle it right there.
What if my surgeon says to handle it myself?
Here's the reality: some surgeons tell their patients to remove their own stitches or even their drains, especially when they live too far away to come back. I see this a lot with women who went home with JP drains.
If that's you, I wrote a whole post about what it's really like, how to prepare, and when to stop and get help.
Ni lo pienses: don't even think about doing it if your surgeon hasn't told you to.
What if I traveled for surgery?
This is where a little planning saves you a lot of stress.
Before surgery, ask your surgeon who will remove your drains and stitches, and when.
If you're flying home with them in, ask your surgeon to set up removal with a local provider, or to give you written instructions you can take to one.
Call ahead to a local urgent care or wound care clinic to make sure they'll do it. Not all of them will for someone else's surgery.
Send photos to your surgeon's office if you're not sure something is ready.
Here's your chisme for today: before you book a surgery out of town, find out who's removing your drains at home. Have that plan in place before you even get on the plane.
What I can do while your drains are in
With your surgeon's OK, I can still help with gentle lymphatic drainage, working carefully around your drains and incisions. Cuidado, be careful: your therapist should never press on, tug, or "milk" your drains.
When to call your surgeon
Ojo, watch out: call your surgeon right away if a drain falls out or stops draining suddenly, if the drain site is red, hot, or painful, if drainage smells bad or turns cloudy, if a stitch line opens up, or if you have a fever or chills. If it feels like an emergency, call 911.
Want the full game plan?
My book covers how to plan your recovery before surgery, including drains, stitches, and who to have on your team at home.
If you're in Sacramento and recovering from surgery, I'd love to help, safely.
Not local? Reach out to me for a private consult over Zoom (small fee).
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post is for education, not medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for drain and stitch care.
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