Port Flipping

[freezinginyk 12]

Has anyone else had their port flip and what causes it? I went for my first fill today and ended up leaving in pain and tears as the Dr. couldn't locate the port opening. He thinks it's tipped and we're going to try again after he speaks with the clinic, but it was pretty disheartening. Any words of wisdom?

[NWgirl 574]

Some have their ports become detached. Depending on the type of band, they are either sutured or secured to the abdominal wall with metal clips. The holdings can come undone- sometimes this is too much activity on the part of the patient too early on or it is just random occurence.

The fix for this is another outpatient surgery where they go in and re-secure the port. Some Dr's are able to access flipped/tipped ports under fluoroscopy as well.

[maryoband42011 0]

My port flips often:( I had a low profile port put in about 2.5 months ago and any time I bend over it flips. I have to manually push it back over. I'm scared its going to cause a problem. My dr says it won't and that it's ok, but I am worried about it. It never did it with the original port. I'm regretting the low profile now:(

[freezinginyk 12]

I'm still hoping for the best as I have to go back to my local Dr. next week and he'll have another go at it. My worst case scenario means I have to travel back to Toronto from the NWT for the repair surgery. I have my fingers crossed. The clinic said I may have more scar tissue built up over the port itself and this may be the issue. Geez, I hope so.

[NWgirl 574]

My first fill was not done under fluoroscopy (none have been), so the surgeon did have to poke and prod a few times until she got directly in the center. I guess you have to get it right in the middle and cannot hit the sides.

After that initial search, she finds it every time spot on.

Don't be too discouraged. If you have to go back for repair, it's not too big of a deal. I know we all want to lose, lose, lose, but it's okay if it's not here today, gone tomorrow style