Port site infection

[Summer87 0]

Infection In Port Area Nine Hour ER Visit! [Edit Post]

I am truly surprised and a little discouraged.

On Monday I went to see my surgeon because all ofa sudden my port area, and the skin around it was very hot to the touch, painful, swollen and there were red streaks. The pain was tolerable, however, this had been going on for a week and I had the chills!!

I never had any issues with my port or incision, and barely noticed the port until last week when this pain started. I noticed it hurt in the port area to sit up and bend over or turn in bed.

Dr. Tran told me not worry that it looked like Hematoma under the skin which is a pool of blood/ Fluid that can occur after surgery. I asked if I needed medication and he said no.

I was not satisfied, however, left the office feeling he must be right, and that I over reacted.

Thursday I woke up and I knew something was not right. My port area was enlarged and hard like a golf ball sticking out, more swollen, and the redness had spread into a huge circle. Tylenol was no longer working anymore for the pain so I called my surgeon on Thursday first thing in the am. Dr. Tran was in surgery so he did not get out into 2 and did not call me back until 4:00!

Dr. Tran instructed me to go to the ER at Potomac ASAP that night (he met me there), and the ER Doc confirmed I had an infection.

I was at the ER for nine hours, (all night until 5 AM) and put on an IV Antibiotic. My husband slept in the chair and to make it worse it was his birthday!

A CT scan confirmed that the infection had not spread deep into my stomach, and that the infection was only under the skin area.

Confirmed diagnosis is Cellulitis.

ER doc said this is serious if not treated aggressively.

So I was sent home on Bactrin antibiotic, and Vicodin for pain.

All weekend I have felt like I have the flu and just really wiped out.

Not much improvement, although the redness has gone down a bit I still feel pain, and the swelling has not changed much. I still have like an enlarged golf ball in my port area.

I really need to listen to my body, and be assertive about this...surgeons can be egotistical, and may not hear you the first time when you say something is wrong!!!

I am hoping this clears up very soon. I am fearful this might affect my port, and I am trying to stay positive.

I was really looking forward to a first fill tomorrow, however, this may not happen due to the infection.

My question is how did I get an infection seven weeks after surgery!#$?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Wow... your doc ignored red streaks? That's classic cellulitis.

ALWAYS pay attention to these things.

[Sades 4]

I had a fill on Wednesday and I just noticed that it is a little red and slightly warm around the port area. Looks like it might be infected. I wish I had noticed it earlier... it's almost 10pm here.

[Sades 4]

I had a fill on Wednesday and I just noticed that it is a little red and slightly warm around the port area. Looks like it might be infected. I wish I had noticed it earlier... it's almost 10pm here.

Well you'll all be pleased to know that the infection didn't spread and I didn't DIE overnight.

[Sades 4]

Well you'll all be pleased to know that the infection didn't spread and I didn't DIE overnight.

In case you didn't get it the first time, I was only kidding !!! :heh: :heh: :heh:

[novbeginning 0]

Are port infections common. I was under the impression they were and easily corrected with antibiotics. I had an infection just 3 days after surgery which cleared up in a week with the antibiotics. I've been reading about people getting infections once they get a fill. Is that common as well?

[Summer87 0]

All of my fears were confirmed!!!! They would listen to me...I told the ER doc and the surgeon twice that something was wrong!

:think

I ended going back to my surgeons office Monday morn. as the infection in the incision and port area did not get clear up while on the Bactrin antibiotic. By Monday I started to run a temperature, and the redness on my stomach was spreading and very hot to the touch.

As I mentioned last week I feared this may be a port infection or even worse, however, they kept sending me home on antibiotics, pain killers, and told me at one point it was Hematoma!

When I arrived at his office Monday the 10th he took one look at the incision area and admitted me directly to the hospital where I have been for five days!

It was a very scary, painful and depressing to be in the hospital and fighting this infection. :whoo:

I ran high fevers for two days, and was nauseated from the Clindomyicin & Vagomyicin antibotic that I was given via IV. That stuff burns like heck through your veins.

The areas where I had the IV really hurt today and one forearm is swollen from the IV. They had to start IV lines three times at three different sites because eventually your veins get weak.

I had a 2nd CT scan which revealed that the port did not appears to be infected, however, the infection is right near the port. AT one point the hospital infection disease specialist got involved because they were perplexed at what kind of infection? The surgeon also aspirated the site twice, and used local thank goodness!:sick

My surgeon was amazed that the port so far looks good. I was discharged a few hours ago on the same Antibiotics by mouth, and told return to his office Monday am.

If this all clears up then the port is saved if not they may have to remove the port.

I am trying to stay positive, however, after this hospital stay, and fighting the infection now for two weeks, I am wiped out emotionally and physically. :bored Hopefully this will clear up for good.

The mystery here is I am 8 weeks post, and had no issues with my incision or port, never had a fill, and had a simple recovery!

All I know Is I am going to get good nights rest, and it was so great to feel the sunshine on my face and breath fresh air when I left the hospital!!

[Sades 4]

Now you're scaring me. Mine is still red and a little warm but has not spread. How did yours look when it first started?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[Sades 4]

I went to the medical centre today and the dr gave me antibiotics to take and told me to call my surgeon on Monday. Hopefully it will clear up.

[janieb 0]

Sades...did your port site infection resolve itself? How are you doing now?

[Sades 4]

Thanks for asking Janie... did you get my desperate cry for help?? The infection cleared up with antibiotics but then I had a major allergy attack from the antibiotics... swollen face, eyes, mouth etc, hives all over my body... this lasted 8-10 days over xmas & the NY. I'm glad to report that all is well now and I never want to go through that again.

[Summer87 0]

Helllo all,

Good news in my case...I just got confirmation that my port replacement surgery is March 12th! My port was removed Dec. 07 due to the infection which spread to the port area. My orginal band surgery was Oct. 24th and this has been a wild ride for me...I did not expect complications, however, like many things in life sometimes things happend beyond our control. I am blessed and happy to be among the healthy right now!

Finally I will have a port and will know what real restriction feels like..

[Sades 4]

You must be relieved. Good luck with the surgery.

[Summer87 0]

Yes I am relieved...how are you doing with the band and your fills?

I am assuming your infection is still all cleared up?

[Sades 4]

I'm doing really well since that episode... fingers crossed !! I have lost 30 lbs but have been working on the same 2-3 lbs for the last 6 weeks or so. I've had 3 fills so up to 6.5cc in a 10cc band. I have another fill next Wed so hopefully that will make me tight enough so I can't eat as much as I can now. Most of it has been willpower with a little restriction. I want it to be mostly restriction with a little willpower. How are you going with yours?