port flipped

[tizen33 0]

I went in for my third fill on March 4th only to find out that my port had flipped. I had to go back into surgery yesturday and have it fixed. This is an expense my insurance doesn't cover.

I remember mid January being at work and feeling pulling/pain in the port area when I was lifting and moving some pretty heavy boxes. I feared that my port might have flipped then. I was just wondering if anyone else has had their port flip? And once it's fixed is there a greater chance it will flip again.... because I'm pretty sure my doctor stiched it back into the same spot.

I'm sad of course that one of the "risks" of surgery happened to me but I'd much rather have a flipped port than a slipped band or band erosion. I always try to look on the bright side.:tea:

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi, I was banded in April of 2006. In August of 2006, my port flipped. I had not had any indication it had done so until I went in for a fill. My surgeon stitched it back in the same place it was before. It has been a 1 1/2 years now and I have had no further problems with it.

[snowbird 2]

I'm just curious; did your doctor show you how the port was stitched in place? Mine said he stitches it on both sides so it is practically impossible to flip, and I don't really know if this is true or not.

[tizen33 0]

Susan: Thanks for sharing. That makes me feel better about my situation.

Snowbird: My doctor said that with how they stitch the ports into place along with the fiberous tissue that the body forms around it that he can't hardly understand how they flip. He didn't tell me how they stitch them into place but he did say that the "thread" they use is like the equivalent of 50lb test fishing line.

[Shaia 0]

Hi there, I don't know if my port has flipped or not. When I touch the area where my port is it feels like a needle is sticking into me from the inside. Could this be a stitch poking into me or what?

[tizen33 0]

My thought would be that the stitches are probably pulling and causing that pain. I have port discomfort on and off all of the time. Sometimes I don't even know it's there... otherdays it feels sore, other days there is sharp pains kind of like what you are describing when I move a certain way or if I touch it. I actually went in for a fill after my port revision surgery and after x rays they found my port had flipped again. The doctor scheduled an adjustment under floro where he was going to try to manually flip the port and give me an adjustment... well that day my port had flipped back!!

I think all you can really do is just let your doctor know the symptoms you are having. I'm a little discouraged about what can be done to fix my port issue. but I've just come to accept it. It's kind of sad. I thought that any issue could be resolved... especially after the port revision... but it just hasn't been the case for me.

I would however still do it all over again at this point. I feel better than I have in years. I just recently really started missing being able to eat a burger or a whole peice of pizza:rolleyes:. But it has been worth the sacrifices.

Good luck and take care

~Martina

[Shaia 0]

Thank you so much Martina for your reply - I have scared myself enough and have made a doctors appointment for tomorrow as I can't even feel my port now - will keep you posted

[jennibee 3]

I have been thru two port revision surgeries (one at 3 months and one at 9 months post-op) My dr. was left scratching his head as to how my port could possibly flipped after the first revision. To be certain that it doesn't happen again he doubled the number of sutures in the second. Fortunately my insurance paid for each of the surgeries. I was almost certain that my port had flipped for the third time (figured I know what it feels like after the first two times) but was pleased to find out that it is right where it is supposed to be! I actually had a pain-free, poke-free, digging for my port fill a few weeks ago. It was the first fill I ever got in his office and not on the operating table.:thumbup: I wish you luck!

[eve529 0]

I can move my port around a little. It turns to the side, but I can flip it the right direction with my fingers.

My surgeon says that it's harmless, but he can go in and fix it.

I'm wondering if you actually have to be admitted to the hospital and go through something similar to the initial band surgery to repair it. Can those of you who have been through port repositioning surgery tell me about your experience. I'd be most grateful.

Thanks!