After reading on the forum, I am afraid I might have a port infection. The area around my port started to hurt yesterday and today there is a red circle around it, it is still tender and swollen and slightly warm.... Does that sound like an infection? I've had my band since 10/26 and have not had any issues till this, now I'm worried. Do all infected ports end up being removed/ replaced?

Hi Carab,

I would call your doctor and let them know what you have found. Make sure you don't touch it. Good luck.

I had a port infection the week after my surgery. They gave me 10 days of antibiotic and I was fine. Just call your doctor right away so you can start on the medicine. Good Luck.

Call your doctor right away and tell him about all the symtoms, if your port is really infected you need to get medical help immediately!

I had a port infection but i was after surgery , your was awhile ago so it may be a flipped port causing inflamation...if ever your unsure about anything "call your doctor"

I developed an infection after they repositioned my port...you should call your Dr right away

O.K. I have a question...all this talk of prots...I know why we have them..for the fills...my questions R these, will the port ever be removed? If so, how long after surgery is it removed? How bad is the scar after its removed?

Hi,

I had band surgery 10-24-07, and had no issues until 8 weeks post op when I developed an infection in the port area.

My symptoms started out just like yours, and they got worse. I was on antibiotics by mouth for a few days, and the swelling/pain increased, and the red circle around my port area grew larger. After three days on antibiotics my fever spiked to 103.4.

I was admitted to the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics, and then they eventually had to remove my port. My port was removed Dec. 17th, and the plan is to have it replaced in March.

Do not panic will be ok....just get attention quickly. Like with any surgery infections can occur. Please let us know how are you doing.

O.K. I got the understanding of keeping it clean etc....I still want to know if the port is ever removed permanently at some point or will I have it the rest of my life?

You'll have a port for as long as you have a band.

you will have the port for as long as you have the band. It is how the band gets filled.

O.K. so as I understand it, this port is a perment thing. Like I will have it for the rest of my life? I will have to get fills for the rest of my life? :wink2:

O.K. so as I understand it, this port is a perment thing. Like I will have it for the rest of my life? I will have to get fills for the rest of my life? :smile:

Without the port, the band is no longer adjustable. Even when you reach goal, you may need a fill now and then to keep the proper level of restriction in order to maintain your desired weight. The saline can seep out over time the way a tire can lose air. And it's possible you could need the band completely unfilled. For example, you may find yourself needing to gain weight for a health reason.

So unless there's a reason to remove the port, it stays with the band.

summer87, my infection started just like yours, now I am completely freaking out. I started out with pain, swelling and a red circle last Saturday. I went to urgent care on Sunday and they gave me Cipro. Then on Monday, I went to TJ and saw my surgeon. He confirmed that it look like an internal port infection and put me on an additional antibiotic. It is now Wednesday, and the pain has subsided some, the swelling has gone down and the red circle is slowly fading. I'm still scared that I am not in the clear yet and I'm afraid that it will heal then come back when I get my next fill...... Thanks so much for all of the input. I'll keep you all posted.

Hello everyone, are these infections following fills. I wonder how many port infections are caused by the doctors not using meticulous aseptic technique while doing fills.

Hello everyone, are these infections following fills. I wonder how many port infections are caused by the doctors not using meticulous aseptic technique while doing fills.

Hi Diva

I was just at my surgeon's today and asked him about port infections. He confirmed that they are typically acquired after a fill. He says that they use every sterilization available, but that sometimes you can still get infected. He is so concious about bacteria on the skin that he has us shower every day for three days before surgery with a special surgical soap and tells us to wash our sheets on the day we begin showering and using fresh towels after every shower. He wants our skin to be completely free of any bacteria before surgery. Unfortunately, things aren't quite so optimal in the doctor's office. They do everything they can to keep things sterile but I guess things happen anyway. Just make sure your doctor goes above and beyond in keeping the area and his hands clean and sterile when getting fills.