Can't find the port?

rondidq2 · 09-21-2008, 08:45 AM

My doc has trouble finding my port everytime I get a fill. He has to stick me at least 4 times and has to dig around to find the port. I come out of the fills everytime bruised and hurting. I have been thinking of getting an X tatooed on my belly where he finally finds the entrance to the port. Anyone else having the same problem?

gilliebean · 09-21-2008, 09:12 AM

i do have this problem my doc and i use the fluro every time cause when i lay down my port tries to go up under my ribs but with the fluro its not so bad. He does the fluro and uses clamps to make a bullseye where my port is.

amonroy · 09-21-2008, 10:07 AM

I have the same problem, I actually got stuck like 15-20 times and ended up so sore and bruised like i was kicked in the stomach...so I drew a circle around the right spot with a sharpie marker so when I had to go back she wouldn't have a problem finding it (i had to redraw it a few times because it started to fade but thought that was better than all the pokes) so anyways when I went to get my second fill she tried that spot...well guess what? It was not in that area anymore, my doctor told me the more weight you lose it will not stay in the same area because your body shape is changing?? So I ended up getting poked about 5 times the second time because it was pretty close to the old spot. I carry most of my weight in my stomach so I have alot of belly fat, she said once most of that goes down it will be much easier to find....i sure hope so! I go back on Tuesday for my 3rd fill...not sure how many pokes it will take this time!

mnn2501 · 09-21-2008, 10:47 AM

My doc has a floriscope in his office and always uses it for every fill.
Its possible your port has flipped, mine has and they have to go at it at an angle. They flipped it back once but it re-flipped -- I sleep on that side which probably caused it in the first place.

Willowglen · 10-02-2008, 03:37 PM

How did they reflip the port?

TerriDoodle · 10-02-2008, 10:26 PM

My port is not flipped but it is slightly tilted which happens quite often....that's possibly what's going on with you, too. It's unfortunate. I agree with others that you may benefit by getting fills under fluro.

DebbsHereNow · 10-06-2008, 02:48 PM

what is a fluro? My doctor had a hard time finding my port the first time also and I am concerned that the fill did not go into the band, I am as hungry as ever and I can eat almost anything. But I only had one fill so far.
Thanks
Debbie

lauslin · 10-06-2008, 08:06 PM

wow how great it is to know that I am not alone with this. I just had my first fill today. I was banded on Aug. 5th , but because I had a huge bruise under the major incision, my fill was rescheduled from Sept. 15th today. I had to lay on the table for at least 30 minutes (it seemed forever) because my Doc. had a very hard time finding my port due to all the scar tissue that formed due to my problem healing. He does not use anything and I was about ready to go to the hospital to have it done. We worked together (I calmed down) and he finally found it. I will wait 6 weeks before I go back. I think I will continue to be very strict with what I eat so that maybe I could avoid getting poked again. And here I thought I was through with the pain and anxiety.
I guess I should look at the good part ..I am down exactly 40 lbs. thanks for reading.

Jachut · 10-06-2008, 08:26 PM

Lol, if you tattoo an X eventually it wont be over your port anymore.

Hopefully as you lose weight it will be more obvious where it is, I started with a BMI of 36 so there was never any trouble finding mine, doc always got it first go. As you lose fat from your abdomen, it will become much easier to feel and eventually see.