  Surfactants in aqueous solutions self-assemble in the presence of salt, to
form long, flexible worm-like micelles (WLM). WLM solutions exhibit
viscoelastic properties and are used in many applications, such as for cosmetic
products, drag reduction and hydraulic fracturing. The dynamics of bubbles in
WLM solutions are important considerations for the stability of many of these
products. In this manuscript, we investigate the thin film drainage dynamics
leading up to the coalescence of bubbles in WLM solutions. The salts and
surfactant type and concentrations were chosen so as to have the viscoelastic
properties of the tested WLM solutions span over two orders of magnitude in
moduli and relaxation times. The various stages in drainage and coalescence -
the formation of a thick region at the apex - a dimple, the thinning and
washout of this dimple and the final stages of drainage before rupture, are
modified by the viscoelasticity of the wormlike micellar solutions. As a result
of the unique viscoelastic properties of the WLM solutions, we also observe a
number of interesting fluid dynamic phenomena during the drainage process
including elastic recoil, thin film ripping and single-step terminal drainage.
