Sharp Pain Near Port Placed In Mexico

vickie6866 · February 13, 2009

I have had my port for 18 months with no problems until now. I had it done in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Gonzalez. I haven't had a fill adjustment in months. My problem started about a month ago. I had swelling, tenderness, and more protrusion than usual at the port site. I work in health care and often do heavy lifting and around the time that the pain started I also lifted a 50 bag of dog food. After a week or so the skin over the port turned red so I got some antibiotics from my primary doctor (Keflex 750mg BID for 10 days) which I just finished today. I am still having pain, when I feel around on the left bottom side of the port and press inward a little the pain is sharp and burning like a pulled muscle only three times worse. The problem is my primary doesn't want to treat this and has said go back to the doctor who did it. I contacted the lap band doctor's assistant and he just said go to a doctor even though I told him I couldn't afford to pay out of pocket for that. I have insurance but it doesn't cover anything to do with a lap band, and there are no docs near me that will touch a band placed by someone else(in Mexico) without thousands of dollars. What do I do any ideals on what this could be. Any input would be great.

Edited February 13, 2009 by vmills

Headhunter · February 15, 2009

You NEED to see a lap-band surgeon NOW.

The port area has possibly become infected, and that could cause a whole bunch of problems.

I really don't know why people go to Mexico for their surgeries....I know it's cheaper, but when this kind of thing happens, you are kind of stuck. I also feel the same way about people who travel long distances within THIS country for the surgery. You need to be within a reasonable travel distance from YOUR surgeon for at leat a year or two.

Having said that (didn't mean to rant), ask your Primary doc to refer you out to a LB Surgeon, and do it quickly.

There is a lot that can go wrong with an infected port area, and you DON'T want to have to deal with THAT mess!

Keep us posted!

luluc · February 15, 2009

The port area has possibly become infected, and that could cause a whole bunch of problems.
There is a lot that can go wrong with an infected port area, and you DON'T want to have to deal with THAT mess!

Keep us posted!

agreed.

while i never had my port hot to the touch or red - it was very tender / protruded a bit more than normal & caused some discomfort after i ate.

my lapband dr ran some tests (endoscope/blood/sonogram) and i had a hernia right under the port. upon removal they noticed that i had a small infection at the port site - which was caught in time & healed after a good round of antibiotics.

infections can cause erosion......i'd do my best to get a lapband dr close to check that out or go back to original surgeon. it's nothing to ignore.

all the best!