Port site problem

[Damamma 0]

HI Everyone

So glad i found this site and this is my first post so would be so grateful if anyone could offer any advice/answers

I am 2 months post op lap band and today went for my second fill, my first fill wasn't to bad, port site tender when nurse was pressing it but the injection done really quick then, but today completely different:( I had an appointment with someone different this time, she was pressing my port constantly and it was so painful, she had the needle in for around 15 mins trying to find the correct point to inject, she had to abandon it then as my stomach was so sore and she made an appointment with another nurse for me in a few days time, gutted i travelled an hour and a half for this done, and as my first band fill was only 3ml and it was empty to begin with so as you can imagine not much restriction and not losing is quite disheartening!

What i really need to ask is is it normal for the port to be so tender when getting probed and pushed, it hurts as soon as it starts and is quite unbearable.

Is this normal?

Thanks so much!

[RedStorm 139]

I had a similar experience last Thursday. I had my surgery April 1st and this was my first fill. The PA poked me at lead t5 different times and pressed on me so hard and she could not find the area to stick the needle. Then the doctor came in and did the same thing. I bled through three bandaids and still have a huge bruise. I went and got my fill done under fluoroscopy yesterday and my port is tilted and that is why they could not find the right spot. Under the X-ray they were able to push in the right spot and in one stick it was done. My suggestion is get done under fluoroscopy.

[FastFazer 3]

Hi! I'm new too. Just had surgery at the end of April 2014 and first first in early June.

My fill was done by the surgeon and took less than a minute...and that includes the weigh in!!

This story you tell of a nurse with a needle poking around is terrible!! She obviously didn't know what she was doing.

You are probably bruised after all that and that's why your port site is tender!

If you see that nurse coming at you again...I'd run.

Good Luck. Stay strong.

[Damamma 0]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

I did not realise when i joined that this forum is in the US, i am in the UK and hope this is ok?

Unfortunately for us, we do not have the choice of a fluoroscopy during band fill, we get free fills for 2 years after paying for surgery but x rays are no longer used , but i think if i have a problem again Thursday i will pay to have this done as i don't think i want that pain again. The lady who did this today was a dietician who had apparently been trained to do this procedure but after 10 mind she looked scared to death when she realised it was not going to be successful and said my port site should not be that tender and asked who my surgeon was??

Anyway i will see thursday whether this will be uncomfortable but successful, i will keep you informed,

Thanks Guys!

[DayOne Health 13]

@@Damamma We would definitely recommend you to see a physician or have the fill done under the X-ray. Usually when a physician can't get to the port it's because of the port's placement or the fact that it tilted/flipped. Looking at it under X-ray would give a clear answer to what is going on.

The best of luck!

[Countryheart2000 18]

HI Everyone So glad i found this site and this is my first post so would be so grateful if anyone could offer any advice/answers I am 2 months post op lap band and today went for my second fill, my first fill wasn't to bad, port site tender when nurse was pressing it but the injection done really quick then, but today completely different:( I had an appointment with someone different this time, she was pressing my port constantly and it was so painful, she had the needle in for around 15 mins trying to find the correct point to inject, she had to abandon it then as my stomach was so sore and she made an appointment with another nurse for me in a few days time, gutted i travelled an hour and a half for this done, and as my first band fill was only 3ml and it was empty to begin with so as you can imagine not much restriction and not losing is quite disheartening! What i really need to ask is is it normal for the port to be so tender when getting probed and pushed, it hurts as soon as it starts and is quite unbearable. Is this normal? Thanks so much!

My Dr had a very hard time trying to locate correct spot for my injection port. He really hurt me. I was so sore. After a week I went to emergency room and had to get my Dr t check my stomach. It was so tender and painful with a couple of big knots in my stomach. I was scared my port or band went wrong. He X-Ray my abdomen and my port was fine but he said he pressed around so much I had hemotoma's. He gave me pain meds, and I go for anther fill August 2. I had my surgery August 5, 2013. I have not lost. I only get .5 cc in my band each month. I hope this one will be the GREEN fill!

[agwill 4]

Hi everyone. I was banded 3/12/12. So far I have lost 45 lbs. I have felt kind of stalled lately and minimal restriction so I got a fill on Thurs 7/17 of 1cc. Friday afternoon I noticed some itching around the injection site. It about the size of a quarter not sore at all. Looks like an itchy raised red rash. Has anyone ever had this problem. I called the doc on call today to ask if he thought it was an infection. He said he does not think it is an infection. Just possibly irritation from the fill and that it will probably be that way for a week. . According to the PA that does my fills, my port is angled and deep she said. So it usually always bruises and she pushes pretty hard to locate it. No pain with this process since she numbs it first. This time the numbing burned a bit. So I have even wondered if I was having an allergic reaction to the numbing meds. Just looking for some feedback. Trying to not let my mind create anxiety over thinking it is a port infection.