Why Is Port Area Still Sore After 15 Days Post Op ?

[marketingdude 79]

Let me clarify....the incision spot (where the port is suppose to be) is not sore.....it is about 2-3 inches away from where the port incision is. I know this because the doctor said this is the area where the port is placed when pointing to the incision site.

I'm trying to discern why the area (2-3 inches away from the port incision) is sore and not the incision site itself. Is it possible the port was stiched 2-3 inches aware from the incision area and this is why this area is sore and not the incision site?

[Kinley7390 80]

Yes, it is possible. My port is a couple of inches away from my incision site also. Like you, I had discomfort there for close to four weeks after the surgery. Not even kidding, really sore and couldn't sleep comfortably. I was miserable and concerned about it, but told by my surgeon that it was perfectly normal. Everything was okay, but people heal differently and no two cases are identical. He said they really have to tuck the port into a muscle where is doesn't fit easily as this helps anchor it and encourages tissue growth behind and through the mesh on the back of the port. The good news is that (for me at least, and hopefully for you too), the pain and discomfort did eventually subside. Now it feels fine except for some tenderness for a couple of days after a fill which is normal. Give it a couple more weeks, unless you really feel that something is wrong in which case it never hurts to run your concerns by your surgeon for some peace of mind. Good luck!

[marketingdude 79]

Yes, it is possible. My port is a couple of inches away from my incision site also. Like you, I had discomfort there for close to four weeks after the surgery. Not even kidding, really sore and couldn't sleep comfortably. I was miserable and concerned about it, but told by my surgeon that it was perfectly normal. Everything was okay, but people heal differently and no two cases are identical. He said they really have to tuck the port into a muscle where is doesn't fit easily as this helps anchor it and encourages tissue growth behind and through the mesh on the back of the port. The good news is that (for me at least, and hopefully for you too), the pain and discomfort did eventually subside. Now it feels fine except for some tenderness for a couple of days after a fill which is normal. Give it a couple more weeks, unless you really feel that something is wrong in which case it never hurts to run your concerns by your surgeon for some peace of mind. Good luck!

Interesting....everything you are saying seems to fit me my situation exactly. Sounds like everything is normal. The rest of my stomach is seems like its healed perfectly ....except for that one area. Being that I'm not a guru bandster...wasn't sure if this was normal and an expected situation post surgery.

Any other thoughts out there?

[marketingdude 79]

In researching this further....it seems the port area is more sore because of the stitching and you have to watch out for infection and redness to occur in that area. If it increases...some may have to get some antibiotics. Many say that this soreness goes away around 4th-5th week post op.

Interesting as we are learning everyday what living with the band is like. Again...some of these experiences can differ depending on surgeon that did the surgery.

P.S. The port area feels like a "pinching or a slight "tearing" feeling and it looks like a very small bump has formed which is probably the port area.

[lousianalady 44]

Because it is sewn in under the skin and is healing. My port isn't under my scar but much lower. I thought it was directly under but is not. You have to heal inside too. I figure our body has to get used to a foreign body inside. Mine hurt too. As it healed it felt strange to move around like i was tugging at it.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

that feeling (of tearing or stretching) is your scar tissue forming. our bodys were cut and this item was (attached) to our skin/muscle. so yeah, its gonna be sore.

my port was (sore/tender) for nearly a month. sitting and especially standing. nothing worth fretting over unless its red, hot to the touch or oozing..

[Kinley7390 80]

In researching this further....it seems the port area is more sore because of the stitching and you have to watch out for infection and redness to occur in that area. If it increases...some may have to get some antibiotics. Many say that this soreness goes away around 4th-5th week post op.

Interesting as we are learning everyday what living with the band is like. Again...some of these experiences can differ depending on surgeon that did the surgery.

P.S. The port area feels like a "pinching or a slight "tearing" feeling and it looks like a very small bump has formed which is probably the port area.

Interesting. Yes, the experiences definitely do differ from surgeon to surgeon and patient to patient. For example, my surgeon told me there was no stitching involved in placing the port. He described that there is a mesh like backing that once placed, encourages tissue growth in and through it so that it eventually becomes one with the tissue which is what anchors it in place.

I'm with carolinagirl as far as the pulling/tearing sensations being the formation of scar tissue. After two abdominal surgeries and two c-sections, I am very familiar with that feeling!

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Dude, I'm a couple days ahead of you and yes not only can the port get uncomfortable, but also get pains off & on where there is no incisions even close by. I was told that in making incisions, nerves can be temporarily damaged.

But yes, my port swells & goes down all day long, depending on what I'm doing.

Wishing you success!

[hoover123 48]

I don't mean to alarm you, but I am 4 months post op of my port revision (it flipped) and I still am not back to normal. I will be blunt, it hurts like hell and if I move in the wrong way it makes my eyes Water. According to my doctor its normal. Guess what, I am looking for a new surgeon. Its not infected, its just soft tissue that will not heal fast enough for me. I still think something is not right, but my doctor says its normal . Pain that makes you buckle over is not normal. If anyone knows of a good surgeon in the Northern part of Ill like Lake County please advise. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask your doc questions. This is all new to you and they should have an answer that makes sense to you. Never stop looking for an anwser until you feel satisfied with it. I wish you well with your new journey. Again, I don't mean to discourage you, its just something I am going thru. I was banded in Jan. 2010 and did well until the port flipped. Then everything went down hill but my weight. That went up due to taking out my fluids from the surgery and couldn't get a good fill. These things just have to work themselves out too. You will learn what works for you. Remember, this is a life time journey, not a race.....Have a great day..

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I don't mean to alarm you, but I am 4 months post op of my port revision (it flipped) and I still am not back to normal. I will be blunt, it hurts like hell and if I move in the wrong way it makes my eyes Water. According to my doctor its normal. Guess what, I am looking for a new surgeon. Its not infected, its just soft tissue that will not heal fast enough for me. I still think something is not right, but my doctor says its normal . Pain that makes you buckle over is not normal. If anyone knows of a good surgeon in the Northern part of Ill like Lake County please advise. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask your doc questions. This is all new to you and they should have an answer that makes sense to you. Never stop looking for an anwser until you feel satisfied with it. I wish you well with your new journey. Again, I don't mean to discourage you, its just something I am going thru. I was banded in Jan. 2010 and did well until the port flipped. Then everything went down hill but my weight. That went up due to taking out my fluids from the surgery and couldn't get a good fill. These things just have to work themselves out too. You will learn what works for you. Remember, this is a life time journey, not a race.....Have a great day..

My port revision was far more difficult to recover from than my original band surgery, because my surgeon had to deal with all the scar tissue from the first time around. I'd say it took 5-6 months for me to feel comfortable again.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

The port is stitched into the fascia surrounding the abdominal muscles. That's why the area surrounding the port itself (as opposed to the incision) tends to feel more tender and take longer to heal. Also, it's hard to do even simple things like turning over in bed and getting up from a chair without using your abdominal muscles.