Anyone have a flipped or twisted Realize band port?

dert · June 17, 2011

I also have a Realize Band, and I also have a dislocated port. I believe that the port was improperly installed since I had surgery, but it wasn't really noticeable at first. Each port is attached to your body (usually your abs) with four little clips. You can kind of envision where they are located by looking at this pic:

Anyway, with me, since surgery I believe 2 of those clips were improperly put in. This caused problems accessing my port; the first 4 or so fills I had, the nurse practitioner didn't get the liquid into my band at all because the port was crooked. (Later I started demanding to get my fills directly from my surgeon, and he was able to work around the crooked port.)

Now I'm 2 years from surgery and I have been investigating the best way to get my port replaced. You'd be surprised at how many different options there are out there for a port revision! Last week I popped a 3rd clip on my port, and let me tell you, it's REALLY noticeable!

(super big picture....click on it to see my port sticking out)

http://www.phoenixrevolution.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_4888.jpg

The danger of this is pretty obvious: when you've lost a lot of weight and have less fat to protect the twisted port, it can very well erode through your skin and pop out. I encourage you to discuss a port replacement surgery ASAP. Deal with it now before it becomes a problem.

Hope that helps a bit!

Hoags · June 18, 2011

Thanks for all the information everyone. My port has also flipped and we are discussing a replacement surgery. At most it is uncomfortable for me to do any ab exercises, and very uncomfortable during fills. I personally knew when it flipped the first time, when it flipped back and when it flipped again. It was not painful, but uncomfortable. I am on board with the surgery because I can't imagine not being able to do ab work the rest of my life.

BlairE · June 25, 2011

OMGosh Dert.... I just looked at the pic and I can't believe how much it is poking out. What did they end up doing to fix it?

BlairE · June 25, 2011

OMGosh Dert.... I just looked at the pic and I can't believe how much it is poking out. What did they end up doing to fix it?

dert · June 25, 2011

I'm having a port re-attachment surgery in 2 weeks (I'm so glad that they are getting me in faster than I would have thought). After discussing a LOT of different options we've decided we're just going to put it back where it was originally, in the same spot. I hope that it stays attached this time!!!

ginny echols · June 25, 2011

I'm having a port re-attachment surgery in 2 weeks (I'm so glad that they are getting me in faster than I would have thought). After discussing a LOT of different options we've decided we're just going to put it back where it was originally, in the same spot. I hope that it stays attached this time!!!

I am listening to all the stories of port problems and wondering are these all realise bands only? I AM TO BE BANDED NEXT MONTH.however they are giving me the lapband system and not the realize band. does anyone have this problem with the lapband system?this all sounds scarry.

dert · June 25, 2011

I'm not 100% sure, Ginny, but you certainly have the right to ask your doctor for the statistics about side-effects and port problems for the Lap-Band. You can also contact the Lap-Band manufacturer directly to ask them for statistics.

This is just my own personal opinion...but this port detachment is annoying mostly. I would completely go through the surgery again--INCLUDING the port problems--for all the benefit it has given me in my life. It has been completely and utterly worth it. Of course, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance with side-effects and potential problems. You should certainly educate yourself to know what the potential problems and side-effects are so you are not going into the surgery "blind" so to speak, and so you can make an educated opinion whether they are worth the risk or not. For me...it totally was worth everything.