Port Site Infections

Terryminator · July 18, 2006

Hi Everone,

My name is Terry and I was banded six months ago. I have lost about 70 pounds thus far, but had many complications after surgery. I developed seromas over my port site which had to constantly be drained. At just six months post op, my port site scar burst open and I had to have my port removed. I had a six centimeter hole into my abdomen which had to be left open and am currently wearing a wound vac to heal.

Has anyone else developed this complication and can you tell me anything about how it happened to you?:help:

martha · July 18, 2006

OMG, Terry. This is what I am afraid of. I am a diabetic, and I have asked my clinic the same question. They quaranteed me they have a 2% chance of port infection rate. They had NO reported incidents.

Hope you are doing better. Good Luck! [ I have not been banded yet]

Martha

Rockin' Robyn · July 18, 2006

Hi Terry-

I am so sorry to hear of your port infection. I too had the same thing happen....incision didn't heal well at first....then opened up incision to drain for a while....site drained constantly for 4 weeks, then when skin finally healed, it trapped infection inside...then developed large painful lump over port site 4 mos post-op....had to go in and have port removed.....had to pack open (gaping) wound for 8 weeks.

Hang in there...it will get better. At this point it is more of a psychological battle more than physical (if you are anything like me). If you had to go to any sort of pre-op psychologist visits...I would highly suggest just going back and talking about what you are going through. I wish I would have done that now in retrospect because the whole port infection was an incredibly depressing experience for me (and why wouldn't it be??)

Hang in there and keep your chin up...this too shall pass. You also might want to do a search on port infections on this site. There are lots of stories (unfortunately) on here and even some pics.

Terryminator · July 18, 2006

You are so right that the depression seems to be the hardest part of this whole thing! I had to fight with my insurance company, fight with my job for the time off for the surgery, recovery time, all the complicaitons, all of the hope for weight loss and than to have my port removed and all restriction went with it. Thank you for your kind words, they mean more than you know!:eek: