port problem

[lap band lady 0]

I went to get a fill today, and after much poking and prodding with the needles...yes needles..they tried a second one,bent it, and tried again. I was sent to get an xray (luckily right in the same building) and found that my port is not positioned right any more. If I had to explain what the xray looked like I would say it looked like a wilted flower...drooped over.

They said it could be because I lost weight quickly. Waiting to hear about surgery to either replace it or place it in the proper position again. I'm interested in hearing about anyone elses experience with this type of problem. Not looking forward to having another surgery however minor it may be.

[heidib 15]

Oh no! I have heard of that. I hope all goes well. I 'm sorry you have to have another surgery,

[jazie 0]

I had to have my port repositioned. It will be 2 weeks Thursday since my surgery. We don't really know what happened, but it was turned backward. The surgery was not bad at all. I think I felt it a little more afterward (port) but I am sure that the dr made sure it wouldn't happen again. I have an appointment Thursday and will have more time to talk to him about it. This would have been my 3rd fill but he couldn't do it. When he did the surgery, he did the fill then. Someone on here told me her dr said it may be the dissolving stitches he used to suture the port in place. I don't even know if my dr used them. I will find out Thurs.

jazie

[jennibee 3]

I have been through port revision surgery twice and quite possibly there is a third round in my future. My port keeps flipping over and the dr. keeps fixing it. I haven't had a fill thru my port EVER since being banded over a year ago. My first revision was scheduled at the six week post-surgery mark (when I went for my first fill) the second was at my six month mark. The surgery itself was nothing, in and out in a few hours, little if any recovery, and no pain whatsoever. The dr. filled me during the operation and I have good restriction for the most part. I am pretty sure my port has turned over again but won't know until I need another fill. I have just made up my mind to not let it get me down, it's been worth it so far. I wouldn't change it for anything.

[jazie 0]

Did your dr say why this happened? And did your insurance pay for both revisions? I didn't even question my insurance because it all happened so fast. Had the 2nd surgery the day after we tried to do my 3rd fill.

jazie

[jennibee 3]

The dr said that the tissue he is attaching the port to is weak. He also tossed out that perhaps I am allergic to the sutures that he had been using and that my body was trying to expell them. He used twice the normal number of sutures during my first port revision and then added even more during my second surgery. Most of the sutures were still completely intacted and were not frayed or anything. ???? I don't think he really knows for sure why I was the first patient of his ever to need a port revision surgery one time, and the only one to have it more than once. I think it's just something internally with me.

[Willowglen 5]

After 5 unsuccessful attempts at a fill I go in tomorrow for a port revision. The doctor is going to add 2cc while he is re-locating the port. How common is the issue of port flipping and does the surgery generally fix it. I read the above post that says a surgery has to be done for every fill and that has me nervous. What is recovery time, active on exercise again and also the diet right afterwards:confused:

[jazie 0]

No, I only one more surgery after mine flipped. I have had two fills since and all went well. I think I did something to tear the sutures. I started riding a stationary bike after 6 weeks, and after Hurricane Ike, I went to the only store in our small town to help the owner try to clean and I think that finished it off. I felt a pain and some burning when I knelt down to clean the bottom shelf. After that, I didnt do that again but the damage was done. The recovery was almost the same as the first surgery. No lifting or strenous exercise for 6 weeks. Dr didn't have to tell me twice, I sure didn't want to have a repeat. I was back on liquids for a shorter time and so on. Dr also did my fill while doing the repair. No problems since.

jazie

[Emmersglue 0]

I had my lapband placed in March. I had one fill after that with no problem (besides trying to feel for it through all the fat layers). The second time I went for a fill late May/early June my port had rotated downward and it was impossible to get a needle to it. Can't specifically say what caused it but earlier in May I was at a wedding in heel and stepped in a pebble bed and fell right on the side the port was on. Just imagine 300lbs falling on the port. So it is highly likely that did it. I had my port revision June 12th. This time he put mesh in to hold the port in place. I've only had one fill after the revision and it was still in place.

[Willowglen 5]

I went in today for my port revision. The surgery only lasted about 10-15 minutes. My doctor dais the port had flipped asa staich had torn. he also added 2cc while he was at it. I have very minor pain now. I hope that my next visit they will be able to hit the port on the first try.