Port Removal

[DMDubey76 1]

Hey there kids,

Gosh it's been a while since I've posted on here. You have your surgery done and you just kinda move forward (that's what I did anyhow, and now I'm back and looking for that support I've been missing). My lap band surgery was done on 10/18/11 via a single incision through my belly button. All was well until 11/6/11 when I developed a UTI and was severely dehydrated. I had a one night stay at the ER for that and was fixed up with a course of antibiotics. I was good to go in less than a week.

Time had passed and I went to my surgeon's office every 2 weeks for adjustments. So far I've lost 45 lbs. Since my surgery my belly button had been leaking. Not a LOT, but enough to moisten the waistband of my pants daily. Fast forward to my fill appointment on 2/23/12. I reminded my surgeon that my belly button was still leaking a bit. He looked in it and he thought the tubing to the port was kinked behind my belly button and keeping it from healing. He scheduled emergency surgery for the next day to clip the exposed tubing (making it shorter to keep it from kinking). I went for my blood work right after I left the office and was in surgery the next afternoon. Fearing infection, he removed my port and the mesh holding it in place. Closed me up and sent me home later that night with antibiotic and (thankfully) pain killers. Tomorrow is my follow-up appointment. I've been changing the dressing 2-3x a day and I have to say today (4 days after surgery) the incision has been leaking the most. My stomach is VERY bloated and tender. I'm hoping these things mean that I'm healing. Once the infection clears I'll be able to have a new port put back in. He's not sure he's going to use the mesh. I just can't wait for them to put Humpty Dumpty back together. I had been feeling fine, now I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Anyone else have port problems? Does the infection sound like it's healing or getting worse? Tomorrow isn't coming fast enough!

[SageTracey 608]

Sounds like you've been put through the mill! No idea whether you are healing or not but best wishes.

[smileyxo 16]

Oh My sweetie you poor thing!!! My prayers are with you. I would think you are on the up swing of things. though

[chrissylu 153]

I pray you are on the mend! Keep us posted. Sending prayers your way and God bless!

[xavier 153]

My doc says the mesh prevents a flip which none of us want...my doc has never had a single flip yet...maybe ask him why hes thinking about not doing the mesh...best of luck!