Banded 12 years! Port infection , am I gonna lose my buddy ?

[Devotedlillly 1]

Over the years I have had 3 tipped ports.

Go in, have em fixed...it hurts, but back to normal!

I have been working a lot, and my port has been tipped for a while. But this time rubbing against my clothes. I have lost almost all my weight, and don't have any more padding. My port reallllly sticks out!

I called my doc only to learn he had retired.

In the meantime ( I am a flight attendant ) in shanghai, I ended up in he hospital after my port started spewing goo all the way down my leg.

Long storey short..a week later, I finally get into a bariatric surgeon today.

He tells me I need my port taken off, wait 4 to 6 weeks, on antibiotics, and hope to save my band.

Then another operation to attach a new port.

This is all self pay in Canada

Has anyone done this successfully?

Has anyone lost thier band?

I can't imagine life without it.

I also need a doctor to take me..

Sad day

[elcee 3,343]

It is possible that this is a sign that your band has eroded into the stomach.When this happens the infection can travel along the tubing to the port. I would be rather concerned. Antibiotics are good but I believe that you also need further testing to confirm what has caused the problem. If it is an eroded band that is causing the infection then it is a medical emergency and you need urgent surgery. Good luck and keep us updated.

[hely88 883]

I have no answers or suggestions. I just hope you get better soon and get to keep your band. Please keep us posted!

[JACKIEO85 308]

Over the years I have had 3 tipped ports.

Go in, have em fixed...it hurts, but back to normal!

I have been working a lot, and my port has been tipped for a while. But this time rubbing against my clothes. I have lost almost all my weight, and don't have any more padding. My port reallllly sticks out!

I called my doc only to learn he had retired.

In the meantime ( I am a flight attendant ) in shanghai, I ended up in he hospital after my port started spewing goo all the way down my leg.

Long storey short..a week later, I finally get into a bariatric surgeon today.

He tells me I need my port taken off, wait 4 to 6 weeks, on antibiotics, and hope to save my band.

Then another operation to attach a new port.

This is all self pay in Canada

Has anyone done this successfully?

Has anyone lost thier band?

I can't imagine life without it.

I also need a doctor to take me..

Sad day

Port-site infection

Port-site infections can be classified as early and late. Early infections will manifest with the cardinal signs of erythema, swelling and pain. These infections typically occur within the immediate postoperative period and may be reduced by the use of perioperative antibiotics. Early infection with cellulitis alone may be treated with oral antibiotics. If the response is inadequate, then intravenous antibiotic use is warranted. When the infection does not respond to intravenous antibiotics and is limited to the port, the port should be removed and the tubing knotted and left inside the abdomen. Once the local infection is resolved, a new port may be placed and tubing connected with laparoscopic guidance. Late port site infections are often caused by delayed band erosion with ascending infection. This usually manifests several months after surgery and can be associated with loss of restriction. These infections typically do not respond well to antibiotic treatment. If left undetected, band infection can evolve into potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal sepsis. Gastroscopy will confirm the diagnosis of band erosion. This complex clinical scenario is treated most expeditiously by removal of the band.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

[Devotedlillly 1]

Thank you , that info is great..I am printing it out to take to my GP..right now it is just my port that is infected. But if I don't get a surgeon that will take me soon, it will get to my band..

I am thinking of hoping on a plane and going to Mexico .

I can't get a dr in Canada to take me on as a patient. They will take out my band...for 7000... In 8 weeks!

Thanks..I'll be dead by then haha!