tilted port

[Crishell 0]

I have had two fills now (4/11 & yesterday). I had a very hard time with the first one which was under fluro because it was the first. Apparently my port is tilted so that it is very hard to align the needle up with the hole in port (bull's eye). After several sticks, they were able to get it. The nurse practitioner tried to do the second one in the office last week but couldn't so i was scheduled to do it under fluro again yesterday. Still the same problems with not being able to see the bullseye. Then she thought that the port may be totally flipped. She said that sometimes as you lose weight, the fat and your insides shift so can cause port to tilt or even flip. So she took pictures and showed to the surgeon and another person to get a second opinion. The consensus was that my port was not filipped but at a very awkward position. She said that it is not anyone's fault and that sometimes it happens. She anticipates that it will get better as I lose more weight. I certainly hope so because I don't want to be the problem child and hate to get future fills or they hate to see me coming because I am "difficult". They were nice and all but i know it is frustrating for them as well as me. Then my blood sugar dropped from all of the sticks and stress so i had to lie down for awhile. They finally got it yesterday. I was a happy camper. I'm a little sore today from all the sticks but was worth it to me. Not trying to scare anyone, just sharing my experience. Just goes to show you that anything can happen and that it is indeed a journey. I have lost 40 pounds and alot of inches since January 19 and i have no regrets.

[LYNNHU8 0]

I went for my first fill last week and my port was tilted too. Stuck me several times. Very sore, but I didn't want to over fill so I made him stop at .05, well it is too little, I need to go back. Anyone else with a 10 band, could you please tell me what is a good first fill

[Beckie 0]

My port tipped also. The fill I had in April was very difficult. Multiple sticks and pushing and pinching to get the fill. Even had to stop to clean my stomach off (blood). Made me nervous to go back in and when I did two weeks ago all was well and back where it should be. One poke. Hope that helps.

[beachgirl 2]

Mine is a little tilted too but they can get to it. I bet there's a lot of people with this especially after we've lost some pounds. Hope your feeling better. I had 6 sticks the last time and I agree, it's no fun at all.

[Ariel 1]

I too have a tilted port, so tilted that they also thought it was flipped so I feel ya. Mine has gotten better i went from needing both the doctor, the PA and multiple shots of lidocaine to one stick and no problems Shockingly it only took a 10 lbs weight loss for the port to get into a better postion. Good luck with yours.

[Guest ZenGarden]

I have a 10cc capacity band and my first fill was 1.5 cc's under fluoro on May 16. Can't really tell that it's doing anything and am very anxious to get my second fill in July.

[StacyinDE 0]

I have an 11 cc band. I got 2 cc during the surgery and at my first office fill (6 weeks postop) I got 6 cc more, which was a little too much so he took out 1 cc leaving me at 7 cc total.

I've had four fills now and am up to 9 cc; I go back in two weeks for my six month check up and I think I'm going to get a little more. My surgeon usually gives 5 cc in the 10 cc and 11 cc bands for your first fill, and of course after your fill you get to do 24-hours of Fluid and then 24-hours of mushies, but it works out well because after a fill I usually can only do fluids anyway.

My port isn't tilted, but he said I have a lot of scar tissue around it, which is normal but makes it harder to get in the port. Apparently, in the beginning the scar tissue is hard and over time it softens up and makes the fills easier. I've not had any fills under fluoro but I have had them bend the needle and have to use a new one. Fortuntately with the local I've never felt any pain though it's been an experience!

[Guest ZenGarden]

WOW!!! You have an extremely liberal doctor. I haven't heard of any doctor giving 5cc's of fill at once or even filling during surgery. My doctor is VERY conservative and wouldn't do a fill until 6 weeks post-op and would only do 1.5 cc's.

[tombourn 0]

Zengirl... your talkin apples and oranges. THe VG band most times doesn't start restricting until 5-6cc..you have a totally different band. its equivalent to the 1.5 that you are familar with