Hi everyone,

I am writing out of curiousity about a pain I am experiencing off and on. It is just below my port scar line and it feels like a tearing sensation..sort of burning as well. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would put it at about a 6. It is not currently hurting but it really freaked me out for about 10 minutes today. I still ahve some swelling in that area from the surgery and I am wondering if as the swelling goes down, things are just adjusting and I am feeling some pain. I am also off the pain meds for the past 2 days or so so maybe it was there before and I wasn't feeling it. Of course, paranoia sets in and I am thinking that the port is flipping or something..argh. Does anyone remember this type of discomfort? It is obviously not so bad that I felt the need to call the MD yet. I hope I don't get it again.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I am writing out of curiousity about a pain I am experiencing off and on. It is just below my port scar line and it feels like a tearing sensation..sort of burning as well. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would put it at about a 6. It is not currently hurting but it really freaked me out for about 10 minutes today. I still ahve some swelling in that area from the surgery and I am wondering if as the swelling goes down, things are just adjusting and I am feeling some pain. I am also off the pain meds for the past 2 days or so so maybe it was there before and I wasn't feeling it. Of course, paranoia sets in and I am thinking that the port is flipping or something..argh. Does anyone remember this type of discomfort? It is obviously not so bad that I felt the need to call the MD yet. I hope I don't get it again.

Thanks in advance.

Kay,

I've not experienced that kind of pain around the port area before, so I can't give my direct experience. However, your surgery is pretty recent and it makes me wonder if you haven't been overdoing it a little bit since you've been recovering. Have you been lifting or dragging anything larger than a loaf of bread? Some folks feel so good after surgery they forget the port is stitched in place and overdo things.

I think it is something that you should definitely mention to your surgeon if you feel anything like it again.

Let us know how you are doing.

Jo Ann

Thanks for replying.

I have not felt it again and I really hope I don't. It was scary. I know I have been doing a lot. Yesterday I was food shopping and panicked knowing I would have to lift my 34lb child into the carriage. Luckily, my older daughter brought up all the groceries. A few times I have caught myself doing a bit more than I probably should...It is hard to slow down when you don't necessarily feel bad..y'know? I will call my surgeon if the pain comes back.

Thanks for replying.

I have not felt it again and I really hope I don't. It was scary. I know I have been doing a lot. Yesterday I was food shopping and panicked knowing I would have to lift my 34lb child into the carriage. Luckily, my older daughter brought up all the groceries. A few times I have caught myself doing a bit more than I probably should...It is hard to slow down when you don't necessarily feel bad..y'know? I will call my surgeon if the pain comes back.

Now that you have had a little "reminder", I trust you will manage yourself just fine.

Good luck!

Jo Ann

Kay,

I have the same pain and have had it since day 1. (I am now at day 8). It is a sharp tugging pain that makes itself apparent whenever I begin to bend over or rise from a supine position or even a chair. I was worried because it is centered far from any incision and below the portacath site.

I went to see my surgeon on day 6 and he says it is likely a muscle spasm. It sounds plausible but I am still a bit worried about it.

Good luck.

This is EXACTLY what I've been experiencing since being banded on the 18th. Its gotten better lately but whenever I walk for awhile or lift something more than 10 lbs I get it again. I plan to ask my surgeon on my post op check up on Jan 3rd. I suspect he will say its normal pain of having had something stiched to my muscle.

Okay, I am relieved I am not alone (sorry-don't wish the pain on you, but nice to feel that I am with someone in this). Does it feel like a stitch pulling or something? I have had the pain a couple of timesand it is not as intense now. It even has a burning sensation to it. I don't like it because it makes me nervous. It is about an inch below my port incision. I don't see my surgeon until January 11th. My surgery was the 18th. It seems that the 11th is a long time from my surgery date for a post op visit. hmph. I know it will be here soon.

You have a lot of stitches around your port, It is sewn to the upper layer of muscles to hold it in place. Sometimes stitches pull, I know mine did and for a few months. Sometimes I would wake up in the night with a position that gave me pain there, and underwire bras are OUT. Now with a little weight lost, I hardly notice it anymore. YEAH!

Do you think it could be the stitches just getting settled? If it doesnt go away, call the DR.

I'm 2 and a half years out (for reference). I felt this when I was first banded, as I moved in new ways that my port wasn't used to. Like, getting out of the car fast, instead of super careful, or bending over to pick something up, or just sitting in a wierd position... that pain will go away as the muscles get used to having the port and the stitches there.

I had EXACTLY the same thing when I was first banded and even now (2 months later), sometimes I get referred pain in my lower right hand abdomen. My surgeon says it has to do with the muscle that the port is sown into. He told me to take a few Advil when it happens and that helps a lot.

Take care,

Denise

I only had that "tearing" feeling a couple of times - usually when I overdid some movement in the abdominal area right after surgery.

Try to take it easy getting up and down and give it some time. Hopefully you won't have it again.

:]