Port Replacement

Thread Starter  

Has anyone had to have their port replaced after losing a lot of weight. I feel like my port is getting caught on my rib and it's very uncomfortable almost painful. I called my doctor's office on Wednesday and have yet to hear from them. I'll call back on Monday.

Just curious if it could be done under local instead of knocking me out.

Thanks!

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-Carrie
Banded 09/2005

Originally lost almost 140 pounds gained back 60. Back on the "Band Wagon" as of 12/11/2007.

Darn, I would have liked to see some responses to this. Even though I haven't lost that much, my port has started to poke out a little bit, and its been a pain in my side since i had surgery. If I get a little bloated or if I eat a little to much, or if I walk a lot or...you get the idea...my port starts to feel like its poking my ribs and it hurts! I mean to ask the doc about it next time I go in to see him. Let me know what your doc says.

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Heather P.
Banded:4-26-06
SW: 255lbs / CW: 248/ GW: 130lbs

I have the same concerns...

I don't see how a port can be replaced without removing the band.

I am concerned about this also.

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The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and cooperation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.

Yes, the port can be replaced. They have a slim port I think it's called. There are 2 peices of tubing. One comes from the band, one from the port and they connect somewhere in the middle.

I think it's called a "low profile" port and it's about $700. Some docs do it under local, but I think most do it under general. It's a very quick procedure though and from what I've heard people recover much quicker than from the original surgery. I have a friend who had it done and she took 2 days off (and she's a self-admitted pain weenie).

Let us know what your doctor says.

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Julie-NYC
banded 4/10/06, NYU, Dr. Fielding

I haven't had port replacement, but I did have port revision. They knocked me out again for this. But, I did recover very quickly from this and there was a minimal amount of pain compaired to what I had with the actual banding surgery.

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Banded: 4/28/06-Dr. Herrera-Jacksonville FL

I don't have any information about port replacement but I just want to say WOW Carrie, that's awesome 128lbs lost???!!!!! I was banded 10 days after you and I've only lost 40 lbs. I look back at this year and think what a waste it has been. I could have lost 40 lbs in a year without the band.
Obviously you've really stuck to a diet and made it work for you.
Do you mind offering a little information as far as how restricted you are or what your typical daily menu would be? I would appreciate it. I am trying to recommit myself and really work at making this band work for me. I need to get another fill and hopefully that will make a big difference.
Thanks.

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~ Michlete

Thanks. That is good to know.

I have had problems with my port getting too close to my skin when I was at my lowest weight prior to the unfill. It also has become surrounding by scar tissue and is turned to the side which makes it hard to puncture.

Plus, I also had black & blue marks near my port a few times. But an ultra-sound didn't show anything.

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The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and cooperation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.

Thread Starter  

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. I honestly don't know why I have lost so much weight. I have not followed many of the rules. I think the biggest thing is the fact I work a lot and have a 2 year old to keep up with. I rarely sit still. I keep up with 4 surgeons and almost run daily at work. I've had 4 adjustments and one slight unfill.

Typically for breakfast I eat a small bowl of cereal, if I don't have time for that I at least try to get my protein shake in.

Lunch I usually either have whatever the drug reps give us or a tv dinner. If I am lucky I get grilled chicken or some other type of food that is band friendly. I have been known to go down to the cafeteria and get a chicken fried steak on occasion, but I give about 3/4 of the food away so I don't try to eat too much. My co-workers love free lunches. LOL

Dinner I usually split with my 2 year old, I take a bite, she takes a bite. Whatever Mom is eating tastes better. It really helps me by slowing me down to keep her fed and happy. My favorite dinner is the cheesy chicken from TGIFridays.

Like I said I seriously don't know why I have lost so much. I still get an occasional fountain soda and still eat ice cream when the urge hits, just not as much.

Did you diet a lot prior to surgery? I know that many hard core dieters who have taken one crash diet after another seem to have slower weight loss results. I was blessed with wonderful insurance and realized that at 150lbs overweight the chances of me losing the excess weight where next to none and keeping it off was even a lower chance.

Sorry I don't have any answers.

Best wishes,

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-Carrie
Banded 09/2005

Originally lost almost 140 pounds gained back 60. Back on the "Band Wagon" as of 12/11/2007.

Thanks for the reply Carrie.
It sounds like you are doing really well with your portion control which is probably a huge part of you success. I also work full time (at a desk job though) and have a 3 year old with whom I do share meals with too so that helps a little.
I usually do not even attemp to eat chicken breast (even though I can pretty much eat anything else) because of past pb issues with it. I'm surprised you can eat it.
I think I just am really in need of a fill which will help spead up the process but I think I'm actually a little scared/hesitant about it (another story).
Anyway, thanks for the info.
Best wishes with your continued success.
~Michlete.

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~ Michlete

I had a port replacement to a lower-profile port (or a Low-Pro, as I call it).
I'm glad I did, I think mine will hopefully be less conspicuous as I lose weight, as well.
... it was very easy but I absolutely have NOT heard of anyone having it done under local. I don't want to even be partially awake for things like that. The general anesthesia went fine.

Over all it was much less recovery than the original Lap Band surgery.
It was so simple: I think it was a Wednesday morning I was weighed, checked, talked with anestheiologist, tested, and then wheeled in the OR.
I was back out 25-30 minutes later in the recovery room.
Just over 2 hours later I was walking through a store pushing a shopping cart, and picking up Rx meds for pain (Lortab - is liquid codeine prescription medication. It's nasty stuff so I only took one dose and realized I did not need that junk.) I wasn't groggy, I really felt fine - just some tummy soreness.
I wore an abdominal binder (Spandex/Cotton wrap) from my original surgery.
By that Friday I was back at Happy Hour. (Well I had soup, and something light.)
I really think it was only a portion of the original surgery - in terms of recovery.

If you do a search for "port replacement" on this site, then you'll find many other similar stories.

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