Port Site Infection & Surery to Remove Port!!

Summer87 · December 20, 2007

To give some history, Thursday the 6th I ended up in the ER when my surgeon got very concerned, because I called and told him that there was a large red circle around the port area, and the area was very hard and swollen. At the ER I had a CT scan and one round of IV antibiotics. No need to admit me at this point (so they thought), I was sent home on Bactrin Antibiotic for Cellulitis of the abdominal wall. Over the weekend I felt worse as if I was fighting a bad case of the flu.

I went back to my surgeons office Monday the 10th, as the infection in the incision and port area did not get clear up while on the Bactrin antibiotic. By the 10th I had started to run a low temperature, and the redness on my stomach was spreading, and very hot to the touch. I also felt very sick like I had the flu and had chills.

As I mentioned last week I feared this may be a port infection or even worse, however, they kept sending me home on antibiotics, pain killers, and told me at one point it was Hematoma!

When I arrived at his office Monday the 10th he took one look at the incision area and admitted me directly to the hospital where I stayed for five days.

It was a very scary, painful and depressing to be in the hospital and fighting this infection.

I ran high fevers for two days, and was nauseated from the Clindomyicin & Vagomyicin antibotic that I was given via IV. That stuff burns like heck through your veins.

I had a 2nd CT scan which revealed that the port did not appear to be infected, however, the infection is right near the port. AT one point the hospital infection disease specialist got involved because they were perplexed at what kind of infection? The surgeon also aspirated the site twice, and used local thank goodness!

My surgeon was amazed how the port so far looks good. I was discharged a few hours ago on the same Antibiotics by mouth, and told return to his office Monday am.

The mystery here is I am 8 weeks post, and had no issues with my incision or port, never had a fill, and had a simple recovery!

I saw my surgeon Monday and he told me there is not much more they can do, other then put me back in the hospital for more IV antibiotics, however, he told me the port has to come out. I am not getting better and it is to risky to allow the infection to remain in my body.

They are still perplexed as to how I got an infection because the cultures taken from the Fluid in my incision did not detect any infection. They are thinking the infection must be hiding down in the port somewhere!

The port removal surgery went ok yesterday.... a bitter sweet experience. Yesterday I felt pretty depressed about being sick and then having the port removed. Good news is the surgery was about 30 minutes. I am in a lot more sore then from the initial surgery, and have to take pain medication every four hours.

On one hand I am relieved that they got the infection out. I can feel the difference all ready because I can breath easier, and no longer feel feverish or pain internally.

On the other hand I feel really down because it will be three-four months before they can try a new port. They sent the old port to the lab to get a culture because they still do not know what kind of infection.

I do not mean to sound superficial, however, I am afraid of gaining back the 20 pounds I have lost. I feel like an emotional wreck right now, and probably drove my husband crazy yesterday because I cried like a baby when they told me the port has to come out. I think everything is catching up with me right now being sick, loosing the port and the surgery yesterday has taken a toll on me.

I am trying to keep things in perspective, however, I feel down because I want to experience the band, and continue the journey. I am thinking what if my body has a reaction again, and I get an infection with the new port? Can anyone share their similar experiences? :help:

sfeiner · December 20, 2007

Oh, I feel so bad for you. Do you still have the band? I don't understand how they could take one without the other. If you get a new port, will they attach it to the band you have? (if you have it) Told you I'm confused! Anyway, I'm sorry you had to go through all that.

caligal · December 20, 2007

I am so sorry to hear about the misfortune with the port. I understand your pain and anxiety. I was banded on 9/07/07 and and on 11/28 for my 2nd fill I was told the port had totally flipped. I had to do surgery all over again and I am finally able to experience the banding.

for 3 months I had no idea what it felt like to be banded.

I pray for you that you are able to maintain your weight while you wait for your new port.

laurieu · December 29, 2007

I can totally relate to how you are feeling I had my lab band done on Nov 16th surgery went great. on Dec 3rd I had to be rushed to the hospital and then airflighted to a larger hospital because I had a raging staff infection at the port site. I have had the port removed, in the hospital for 6 days and they had to leave the incision site open so it can heal from the inside out...I am going to a wound clinic on a daily basis and have to have a wound vac on at all times. The Dr's are thinking I will be off work for at least another month and will have to wait for 4-6 months before we can even start talking about having another port put in. I am conifident things will get better but it can be very depressing:(

caligal · December 29, 2007

WoW! I am so sorry that you had such a traumatic experience. Here I was feeling, wo is me and in reality my situation wasn't even near the experience you had. I hope that you get better soon and that everything turns out great for you. Again, so sorry.

I can totally relate to how you are feeling I had my lab band done on Nov 16th surgery went great. on Dec 3rd I had to be rushed to the hospital and then airflighted to a larger hospital because I had a raging staff infection at the port site. I have had the port removed, in the hospital for 6 days and they had to leave the incision site open so it can heal from the inside out...I am going to a wound clinic on a daily basis and have to have a wound vac on at all times. The Dr's are thinking I will be off work for at least another month and will have to wait for 4-6 months before we can even start talking about having another port put in. I am conifident things will get better but it can be very depressing:(

laurieu · December 29, 2007

Thanks, I am sure things will get on the right track soon:)

Summer87 · December 30, 2007

I am learning that infections with the band are not very uncommon as several people I have had them on this site.

I choose the lap band due to the low complication rate versus the bypass! I guess we are the low percentage who have gotten infections!

My wound is open is also, however, I did not have to go to a wound clinic they just checked it every week and I wore gauze over it.

They closed it a bit last week with steri strips. My cultures tested negative for staph infection so that is probably why.

I plan to return to work on Jan. 3rd which is almost a month since this whole ordeal started.

I am terrified of getting a new port as I have never been this sick in my life. My fear is if mine was an allergic reaction that I will get sick again or get infected again.

However, I have come this far and feel I should at least try in three months to have the port replaced or else I have to have the band removed and say goodbye to the whole the thing!

How are U doing? Are you still hospitalized? Did they tell you how you got staph?

Summer87 · December 30, 2007

How was the surgery and recovery for you after you had your port replaced? Did you have your band replaced or just your port?

Glad to learn you are ok..

Summer87 · December 30, 2007