Extreme shooting pain at port site

[Bruce120 19]

So I'm almost 8 weeks out of surgery, and almost 40 lbs down. But I've been having pain at my port site for the last 2-3 weeks. Some times it's bearable, while at other times it's just excruciating.

I went to my doctor two weeks ago, he told me that it looks like the incision site is infected and he prescribed me antibiotic, which I've taken religiously for 10 days. The redness and swelling had gone down, and for a few days the pain was almost completely gone.

But in the last few days the pain has returned in extreme fashion, to the degree that I can barely stand or walk! I'm going back to see my doctor tomorrow, but I would love to hear some insight and experience from the experts here in this site.

The pain is very external, meaning, it's not some deep internal organ pain, but rather the pain is very close to the skin, it feels like the port itself is causing the pain.

That's besides the problem that I have a huge lump at the site of the port, which my doctor said can not be fixed. He said that I didn't have enough belly fat to begin with where to hide the port.

Anyway I hope those problems go away very soon, I can't afford being in pain any much longer.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Sorry to hear about the pain. I don't have that problem but I do have a big bump where my port is and I'm six months post op. The bump has gotten more prominent the more weight I have lost. I asked my nurse about it this week and she said they used to stitch the port deeper in the body but it was too hard to find for fills on some patients. So now they stitch it right under the fat near the surface. When you lose weight you see it faster. Sounds kind of weird to me, but oh well. I can also move it around with my fingers which frankly creeps me out a little.

Edited September 5, 2014 by JustWatchMe

[2muchfun 8,927]

Sounds like the pain problem needs to be addressed by an MD. My port is also visible. Has to be in most male cases. They stitch it into the abdominal wall so when they inject saline the port itself has something behind it to give leverage so they can push the needle in. I was made aware of this from the beginning and it's far better than the alternative of carrying around 75 lbs of fat.

Hope you figure out the port pain. I'm sure it dims any success you've experienced so far?

[Bruce120 19]

Sounds like the pain problem needs to be addressed by an MD. My port is also visible. Has to be in most male cases. They stitch it into the abdominal wall so when they inject saline the port itself has something behind it to give leverage so they can push the needle in. I was made aware of this from the beginning and it's far better than the alternative of carrying around 75 lbs of fat.

Hope you figure out the port pain. I'm sure it dims any success you've experienced so far?

Thanks for the reply man.

It doesn't really dim the success, 40 lbs is still 40 lbs. But it sure does put a damper on the euphoria I would be feeling otherwise based on my success.

Just to update, I've seen my doctor today, and he took the matter very seriously. He sent me to get an endoscopy and a sonogram to make sure there's nothing going on internally. I'm so hoping to clear this mess up very soon, so that I can focus and enjoy my weight loss.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Great, you've got a doctor who is proactive! Let us know how this turns out?

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Let's hope it's not to serious & hopefully they can find out what or why you are in so much pain , hope you get better so you can enjoy your journey , keep it updated.

[Bruce120 19]

Now I'm really concerned. My surgeon sent me to a gastroenterologist, and he felt the area and immediately said that something feels and looks very wrong. He sent me to get a CT Scan with contrast first thing Monday morning.

He sounded very concerned. It looked like he didn't wanna mention anything scary, but he said he can feel a hard mass that doesn't belong there, and is suspecting a massive infection caused by the port.

The pain is getting stronger and stronger, and I'M FREAKING OUT!!

Edited September 7, 2014 by Bruce120

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Wow Bruce, that is really terrible you have to wait until Monday. Have you considered just going to the ER?

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Well that doesn't sound good and if you do get in anymore pain call your Doc or go to the ER immediately before it becomes worse , hope they find out what is going on so they can fix the problem so your not in pain , well keep us updated , please .

[Bruce120 19]

Wow Bruce, that is really terrible you have to wait until Monday. Have you considered just going to the ER?

I have considered it, but in my area the wait at the emergency room can extend for hours upon hours. I'm hoping that till Monday morning the pain won't get any worse. The gastroenterologist prescribed me two very strong antibiotics, which I've already started to take, so if there is indeed a massive infection, hopefully it won't spread in those few days.

But if the pain will get any worse, I'll definitely consider going to the ER. It just becomes unbearable at times!

[Bruce120 19]

I've read up on CT scans, and it seems to be linked to an increased risk of cancer later on in life. I'm not so sure that I should go get it. I'm thinking to wait a few days to see if the antibiotics work or not.

In all likelihood the pain is caused by the band, so it's not like I need a CT scan to rule out a tumor or anything. Why put myself through massive doses of radiation, if I know the root cause of the pain?

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE CT SCAN I would worry about my health more , because I did & made a choice for my health , I have had so many xrays that I should be glowing from the radiation Lol & a few ct scans also but I know if it were me I would want them to find out what is causing the pain .

[Bruce120 19]

Just to update you guys, I took cipro and flagyl for a week, and thank god the pain is completely gone, and the skin is looking much better. I was able to avoid having a ct scan and endoscopy.

About the bulge at my port site, my surgeon said that I'll need an additional short procedure to reposition the tubing of the port, as that's what bulging out. So I guess I'll be going under the knife again pretty soon!

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

So did they say why it did that?

Edited September 17, 2014 by Debbie3sons

[Bruce120 19]

So did they say why it did that?

You mean the bulge? Not really. My doc said it happens sometimes, could be one of the stitches got loose or something, but it's definitely something that's fixable, he says.

I was wondering, if I can post a picture of the bulge on here, or would that be too gross? I really wonder what people would say to it.