Can the doc miss your port?

Kat225 · June 5, 2008

I am wandering if the doc can miss the port during a fill and not know it? Isn't it possible that the doc could be just injecting saline into your skin like if you are getting a shot? The reason I ask is because yesterday when I got my second fill, I noticed that the little mark where the needle went in wasn't really lined up with where I feel my port is. Plus I don't feel much more restriction. In fact it feels like nothing has changed. I have a lot of faith in my doc but everyone makes mistakes. She doesn't do fills under flouro or whatever. I just drink some Water after to make sure I'm getting fluids down and I'm done.

Anyone with medical knowledge know about this???

blueriley · June 5, 2008

I am a nurse who has accessed many IV ports- like the ones cancer patients have in their chests for chemo and you can definately tell when you have hit the port, you feel the needle hit the metal back of the port. I mean I guess it could happen but I think its unlikely. If she did the saline will not hurt you, you will just absorb it.

Kat225 · June 5, 2008

Yeah I figured the saline wouldn't hurt me but at $200 a fill it sure does hurt my pockets lol! I'm glad to hear that it is probably not likely.

kdlee · June 5, 2008

I'm not banded yet, so haven't had a fill but...Did you notice if the Dr. aspirated (pulled back on the plunger of the syringe)? You would know if you were in the port this way, because you would have a return of saline that you could only get from the port. Perhaps the mark doesn't line up with the port site exactly because she stretched your skin tight across the port to make for easier access and when she let go, the skin went back to where it was, thus looking like it didn't match up?

jenn27537 · June 5, 2008

I had 3 cc's in before my first fill. When I went in for my first fill I asked the same question and my Dr. jokingly said "that's why I use saline and not arsenic" LOL. After getting into the port in, he took the 3cc's out that was already in there so he would know that he was in the right spot. The reason the injection spot is not where you think it is suppose to be is because when you lie down and your Dr. moves everything around it is not in the same place.

Shinyhappymommy · June 5, 2008

It would drive me crazy wondering if my surgeon didn't also withdraw what is already in the band after injecting the new stuff to show how much I have. That way I know he hit the port. I'd ask her to do that next time. I can't imagine someone refusing to do that, it's simple and offers reassurance.

Kat225 · June 6, 2008

Maybe she does withdraw some saline to make sure she is in the right spot but I never watch her. And to tell you the truth, I think she did make in because i did notice tonight during dinner I was a little tighter.