Port Malfunction

I went in this morning for my third fill and the doctor wasn't able to get any saline in or out of my port. He tried 6 times and we both know he was in the port. He said that lately they have seen more port malfunctions. And he thinks it's that or that scar tissue has kinked the tubing. Either way, I get to have surgery to repair it. He says he should be able to do it without anesthesia, just heavy sedation. It will only take 30-45 minutes. Even though it's just outpatient surgery, it still sucks. I'm a little scared and upset.

Anyone else have this happen? What can I expect?

Thanks.

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I am in the same boat as you. My problem actually showed up at the first fill. My doctor was able to get saline in but couldn't get it out. He thinks there is a kink in the system. I, like you, have to go back to surgery, under local. He is going to cut open the same place as before. I am going to have this additional surgery in the middle of July. Good luck to you, keep me posted. I cried uncontrollably for two days. I really thought it was something that I did although I have followed every instruction in the book. Cami

OH Gosh I am so sorry you two...I know that I would not want to face surgery again but I am praying that this is just a small glich for you guys and you will be on the mend again soon...and HAPPY with your bands.....

I have not had a fill yet, and hope I do not have any problems... but I do know that surgery was pretty easy so if I had to go again...It is not life threatening...just a hassle!

Good luck and keep us posted! Shelley

Glad I'm not the only one who cried over this. I know it's just a minor surgery but I didn't need it now. I go on 6-25 so I'll let ya know how it goes. They said I can go back to work the next day so it looks like a piece of cake for the doctor.

I didn't even have any idea anything was wrong. Two fills went smooth as can be. Everything else was going well too. No real pain or anything. I'm sure it's nothing we did. The doctor said something about scar tissue kinking the tubing. Good look to you too Cami.

Thank you Shelley. I'm sure the surgery will be pretty easy. Just wish it didn't happen. Think I'm over my crying about it phase now.

I wish all of you luck in your upcoming surgeries to fix your bands.

When I went for my 2nd fill back in March, my port had flipped! I have no idea when, why, or how! The NP went to stick the needle into my port only to hear the tapping sound of the needle hitting the metal back of the port! I had it fixed the following week with no problems since! Good luck to you guys!

Ezma

Let me know how everything goes for you on June 25th. I know it's 2 days away. I was just thinking about you and hope everything goes well. I am scheduled on July 17th to check for scar tissue and kinking. I really have been eating more than I was before. I've only got 1.5 cc in the band. Hoping the best for both of us and we can get our bands working right again! Cami

Good luck Ezma!!!! Keep us posted! Shelley

Just wanted to let you guys know I had my surgery this morning. Everything went fine and it was pretty easy. They did end up doing it with general anesthesia but it was much easier than the lap band itself. It was a kink in the tubing so he fixed it and gave me a fill. He went in thru the same incision so that helped. I'm pretty sore but the pain meds are helping. Good luck to those of you who are waiting to get yours fixed. It'll be pretty easy to deal with and supposed to be a quick recovery.

Ezma I am soooo happy for you and hope you recover quickly....I hope you do not have to deal with the gas thing....good luck...Shelley

Ezma

I am so glad that you had your surgery to fix the kink and that everything went smoothly for you. Congratulations on doing so well. You are an inspiration!

I'll let you know how everything goes for me in a few weeks. I am not keeping on track with my eating and exercise like I should. Time to step it up. Cami

Hi Ezma

How are things going in Arizona? How is everything going with your band? Well I had my port revision surgery today but they didn't have to do anything with the port. My tubing was kinked, my surgeon didn't say anything about scar tissue on it. He straightened it out, put a 2cc fill in the band. I had it done under local anesthetic and it went really well. My surgeon sutured me up and I am supposed to get another fill and the sutures out next week. I am happy I got this done and I can continue my weight loss. Talk to you soon, Cami in Colorado

I'm so glad to hear everything went well for you too. It's such a relief that they didn't have to take any saline out and we could keep on track. It seemed to take me about 2 weeks before I felt pretty normal again but it was never too bad. Keep it going, you're doing great!