Lumps and bumps?

Bright · November 10, 2003

Hi folks - tomorrow I will be banded two weeks and am feeling great - no pain or discomfort anywhere and no hunger yet - yay!

However, I have a question about my port - I have my port on the left side of my stomach between the last two incisions, and I can feel it really easily - but it's really long!!! I thought I would be feeling a circular shape about an inch in diameter but I am feeling about a three or four inch length of - well - of hard plastic I guess! What do the rest of you feel? I know most of you seem to have the port under the breast bone, and I'm not sure I like the sensation of it "floating" around my not inconsiderable tummy!!!

I am hoping to fly back to Paris for a check up next week but would really appreciate any theories/observations/answers!!!

thanks

donali · November 10, 2003

Hi Bright -

I suspect that most of the "hardness" you are feeling is actually tissue swelling, in addition to the port - having just had my port revision surgery a week ago Saturday, I still have more "hardness" than what would actually be my port.

Also, it shouldn't be "floating" around inside you - it should be sutured to the fascia of the muscle. Your skin will move around above the port, which can give the impression that the port itself is moving, but in reality the port is in a fixed place.

Let us know what the doc says - maybe you're feeling some of the port tubing as well? But I think it's more likely swelling of some sort.

So good to see you back on the boards!!!

Bright · November 10, 2003

hi Donali - thanks for the welcome back and your great messages - you are my official cheerleader!

I definitely think I am feeling the port tubing - eeek! Weird! Not unpleasant - just weird! You know, I didn't realise they sutured the port into place (until I read your thread about your port fixing thingy) - dunno WHAT I thought they did but it is definitely reassuring to know it is anchored down in there!

donali · November 11, 2003

Yeah, can't have that thing running around in there wild - can you imagine trying to get a fill after your port migrated to who knows where?!?! lol

I don't know what they did differently in anchoring my port this time, but it is SO much more comfortable than before. Although I do still have a bit of topical numbness, so maybe it hurts and I just don't know it... lol

I'm itching like crazy, though! So it must be on the mend!