Kink in my tubing :(

[Fanny Adams 7]

Oh well, hopefully this will be just a little hiccup on the journey but it's a bit of a PITA anyway :wink_smile:...

A couple of months ago, I started noticing an odd lump deep under my skin, near the port, about 1-2" above and left. It only showed up when I am lying on my right side and relaxing all my stomach muscles. I knew it wasn't the port, because I could still feel that in its usual place. At first I thought it was the band itself, but another post in here that I saw made me think it might be the tubing. Over the last few weeks, the lump has become more prominent and seemed to move closer to the surface. It really felt to me like it was part of the tubing kinking forward.

Last week it started getting a little sore, not much, just like it was a little bruised but it was definitely closer to the surface, so I rang the doctor. Today, I had an ultrasound and it looks like my guess is right but they're not sure, so tomorrow I go back for a CT scan. The surgeons says it is an extremely rare occurrence but should be a simple fix. He'll just need to move it and suture it down so it doesn't come back up. I'm hoping we can put off any corrections until late August, as my private insurance doesn't kick in till then. I only joined the fund last year and there is a 12 month waiting period on pre-existing conditions :tt2: I was self-pay on the lapband but I really don't want to have to shell out for another op from my own pocket.

Wish me luck to say that hopefully the situation isn't serious and can be just left as is and monitored for the next three months till I'm covered.

[She Smiles 2]

Fanny, I'm sorry you're dealing with this complication. I know how you feel about the health insurance situation though - I had a small slip recently and was freaking out that I might need removal/adjustment surgery (luckily I don't) because my health insurance doesn't kick over 12 months for a few months more.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that its not serious and can wait til August.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

Oh Fanny! I am so sorry hun! I hope things go well at the surgeon. Is there any chance it can unkink itself? I am sure that is just wishful thinking. Good luck to you! Hugs and thinking of you!

[brandyII 9]

Fanny, wish you good health in this situation, know it's kind of tricky and hope you're doing better soon, brandyII.

[Fanny Adams 7]

Ok, had the CT scan and it's been confirmed. There is a loop of the tubing that has come back through the abdominal wall and circles off to the side before going back through the muscle where it should. It kinks forward much more when I lie on my side, but when I lie flat on my back the loop sits fairly flat on the surface of the muscle and isn't a big problem.

The good news is that the port is anchored properly, the band is sitting in exactly the right spot, it's just this extra length of tubing that has worked it's way forward, as shown:

It isn't serious and isn't urgent but they will keep monitoring it and if necessary, go it to fix it in a few months.

The funny thing was, that I was supposed to wait until I saw my surgeon again to get the results, but I sort of badgered the nurse into giving me a clue. She told me that "everything was fine and what they'd found was a kidney stone that was causing all my pain". I tried to tell her that this couldn't possibly be a kidney stone as it was in the fat in front of my abdominal muscles and I know perfectly well where my kidneys are, as I had a major kidney operation when I was 10. I couldn't believe how hard I had to argue with the radiologist assistant to get her to accept that the kidney stone wasn't the problem and that I needed to speak with the radiologist. After arguing with her for a few minutes, she finally went and got the radiologist, who spoke to me about it. Apparently, I do have a kidney stone, right near the site of the old operation, but it is not anywhere where it is likely to dislodge and get passed and may well have been there for years. He confirmed the loop in the tubing and agreed that this was what I was feeling.

So... I'll wait on what the surgeon thinks (haven't seen him yet) but I think everything will be ok for the next little while anyway...

Update: Spoke with the surgeon and we're going to schedule a correction for soon after when my insurance matures. Not a big worry in the mean time but probably shouldn't be left like that forever.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Fanny Adams

[She Smiles 2]

That must be a slight releif for you to not have to rush into surgery right away! I'm glad it wasn't serious!

[Hastings 3]

Excellent that it can wait for your insurance to kick in, Fanny. I'm sorry you had to have this, but you have shown a lot of strength in following through and dealing with the various medicos.

Keep on truckin'.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

Congrats that it can wait till you get insurance! I am glad it isn't too bad. Does it interfere at all with the band working?

[Fanny Adams 7]

It doesn't seem to be interfering with anything - in fact, the doc gave me my half ml fill yesterday and doesn't think he needs to see me again until August when we get organised for the correction. Of course if anything changes in a big way, I'll contact him again, but for now it's business as usual and apparently no biggie...

[brandyII 9]

So even though you're kinked they still would give you a fill? I guess they're not too worried then about waiting for your insurance to kick in. I hope you're feeling better soon! Nancy

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I am glad to hear it doesn't interfere then! I would hate for you to have to live with the band until August not working! SO whatever you are doing, keep it up!

[slimmy120 2]

Fanny I think the same has happened to me , I too am in Perth, was your surgeon tony keirth?

[Fanny Adams 7]

No, my doctor is Stephen Watson at St John of Gods Murdoch.

[plain 12]

Well.....that just sucks, Fanny. At least it turned out to be not so grave, eh? I'm thinking maybe some advanced yoga contortions, and you can unkink that tubing easily!! LOL

[BLUE EYED GIRL 0]

hi fanny adams,glad your getting it sorted,congrates on your weight loss chart,your going well.