Port

[crazymomma]

Just wanted to start a discussion about the port. I had my surgery on May 5 and felt prepared for my adventure. I must say with all the information on all the forums there wasn't much talk about the port. I just wanted the ones that are scheduled for upcoming surgeries to have a little more info. The port, so far, for me has been the worst part of this experience. I guess if I had known what to expect I would have been a little more prepared mentally. I have a high pain tolerance but the port has been very very sore. I am about 12 days post op and am finally able to move better, I couldn't sleep on either side at night because it was too uncomfortable. Driving has been very hard for me. It's a very positional thing, the port that is. I had a hard time driving because I couldn't get in a comfortable position. The flight home was really miserable to so I would suggest saving your pain meds for the trip home, especially if you have a long flight as I did. Almost 2 weeks out and I hardly have any pain from my port. It i tender at times, depending on what I am doing. Having said that, I would definitely do it again. I was talking with another patient that had her surgery the same day as mine and she also felt ill prepared for the port experience. We felt like we should post something for others. Maybe there is a forum already on this and we missed it but I just wanted to help others if possible. Having said that, I would defiantly do it again!! Good luck and hope this helps!!!

[karenci]

One other thing to add - I had the same tenderness, and about 10 days post surgery I was walking the beach, saw some shells I just had to have, and since it hurt to bend all the way over I did a kind of sideways twist and pulled something out of whack that resulted in some atrocious sciatica. So my advice is not to push it too hard, give your port time to heal and take it easy!!

[damalove]

Karen, I think port discomfort depends on the person. I too had some serious port discomfort; I sleep on my side, sitting at my desk at work, wearing high-waisted pants (that hurt!), bending over, sitting up, standing up, all that. Im 6.5 weeks post op, its mostly gone now. I sleep on my side again, I bend over fine, all that.

One thing that really helped was someone suggested I bring a small throw pillow with me to MX; it helped to have something pressed up against my incisions on the car/plane rides, as well as at night. Made a big difference.

I will say my first fill also hurt a LOT more than I was expecting. I think it was bc I had a fill only 5 wks after surgery, must have still been tender. Regardless, with the way the weight is falling off now, I really dont care! Its surgery after all and so it is not surprising that things hurt, are tender, sore, etc.

The first 10 days after surgery I also had a LOT of pain in my left shoulder, some sort of displaced pain that is common with band patients. It was really unpleasant and lingered for a long time; but its gone now and I never even noticed when it stopped happening. I guess its just part of the healing/post op process. If you dont get that shoulder pain, count your lucky stars

[skinnyagain]

I think port pain is so different for everyone. I had discomfort from my port...I think it was 3 weeks or so before I could sleep on my stomach. It is more tender since the incision that is made to bring the port to the outside of the muscle wall...Plus its sewn into place. As it heales, you have pain...The pain medication they give you is very light medication. In the US its Toradol. Toradol is a anti-inflammitory/pain medication/non narcotic. its like taking a big ol dose of motrin but better!

good luck with your healing.

Kim

[jhawkchick75]

That is definitely where the majority of my pain was in the port. Even now after all this time if I do too much it can get sore. Also, as you lose the weight you can feel it more. For instance if I am cleaning the bathtub it really hurts to lean over the tub b/c the fat there is gone and so it pushes down on it. Guess a good reminder that it is there!

[Smiley]

Shelby is right, when the extra fat is gone the port continues to be an issue. I was hoping to have my port relocated about a month ago, but in the end it did not happen. There is a slightly raised spot about the diameter of a tennis ball in the area where my port is located. My cat has excellent aim when she jumps on my lap because one of her paws always seems to land on the port. I have also noticed that when I stand up against the front desk, receptionist window, kitchen sink or anything else high like that it always hits my port. As someone else said however, none of this is worth not being banded.

[AngieB]

Shelby is right, when the extra fat is gone the port continues to be an issue. I was hoping to have my port relocated about a month ago, but in the end it did not happen. There is a slightly raised spot about the diameter of a tennis ball in the area where my port is located. My cat has excellent aim when she jumps on my lap because one of her paws always seems to land on the port. I have also noticed that when I stand up against the front desk, receptionist window, kitchen sink or anything else high like that it always hits my port. As someone else said however, none of this is worth not being banded.

Andrea! I was thinking of you yesterday......funny how that happens. You have been missed, welcome back!!!

[Smiley]

Andrea! I was thinking of you yesterday......funny how that happens. You have been missed, welcome back!!!

Thank You! I missed being on here.