Why Does The Port Flip?

[litl1997 14]

Is there a reason why peoples ports flip or turn? Is this caused by anything the person does, such as lying against it or rubbing your pants against it, etc

[ericaharrod 28]

My port flipped about 6 weeks after surgery so I had to have surgery again and the surgeon put a piece of mesh on my muscle and then sewed it in again. He said that in obese people the abdominal muscle is thin and stretched out, so stiches don't always hold the way they should.

[litl1997 14]

So is the mesh working with it now. I was concerned due to having a very weak stomach already and being obese also. Thanks

[NWgirl 574]

Too much activity in the healing phase can cause sutures to pop or to not be as strong, which could cause port issues as well. Some have hypothesized that some people's bodies slowly reject a suture type, which could cause the sutures to lose hold and flip the port.

[litl1997 14]

That does make sense. Is there any signs of a flipped port or is that something the dr finds out when doing a fill.

[SageTracey 608]

I felt my port move and mentioned it at my next fill. Surgeon confirmed that it had tilted and he had trouble getting the fill in. We are both hoping it won't turn into a full on flip which would require surgical repair.

He said it wasn't my fault (I was 12 months post-op at the time), and very unlikely to get any worse as he uses the mechanical attachment that comes with the band plus sutures.

[ericaharrod 28]

The mesh is working so far. I have had three fills since then and everytime they go to fill it I am afraid they will tell me it flipped again, but they haven't had any trouble since the surgery.

I couldn't tell mine flipped. I went in for a fill and the doctor couldn't get the needle in it. Ended up that I hadn't ever really received a fill, even though the NP thought she had it.

[litl1997 14]

Well that's good news that it hasn't flipped anymore. My whole stomach is mesh. I do hope I don't have ever have that problem, I just have that feeling that mine has flipped, it's proably just worries due to me always having bad luck with surgerys. Thanks

[RAZISA 0]

I have NOT had good luck!!!! Banded on 4/2/2012 ... in hospital 4/4 to 4/7 because my stomache swill shut and needed to go in again to replace the band with a large band. I felt soooo much better after the repair.

FYI - I am a social worker who conducts the psychological evaluations at the Bariatric Clinic attached to the hospital and the Surgeon's office...

Something changed about 3 weeks ago ... I had swelling around my port and the area felt different!

Yesterday, after the second unsuccessful attempt to access my port, I was sent for a fluoroscopic Xray with the MD, PA and NP present. OUTCOME -my port flipped and.....

..... AGAIN I need additional surgery to position and re-attach the port to my abdominal wall.

REALLY .....

I guess it is true .. if you work along side the MD or work at the hospital ...you are bound to be the patient who encounters complications!

I do not have the $ to pay for the additional surgery needed, as our family is saving for a down payment for a new house!!!!!

CRAP!

[litl1997 14]

So sorry to hear all that. I hope it gets better.