I have had my port for 18 months with no problems until now. I had it done in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Gonzalez. I haven't had a fill adjustment in months. My problem started about a month ago. I had swelling, tenderness, and more protrusion than usual at the port site. I work in health care and often do heavy lifting and around the time that the pain started I also lifted a 50 bag of dog food. After a week or so the skin over the port turned red so I got some antibiotics from my primary doctor (Keflex 750mg BID for 10 days) which I just finished today. I am still having pain, when I feel around on the left bottom side of the port and press inward a little the pain is sharp and burning like a pulled muscle only three times worse. The problem is my primary doesn't want to treat this and has said go back to the doctor who did it. I contacted the lap band doctor's assistant and he just said go to a doctor even though I told him I couldn't afford to pay out of pocket for that. I have insurance but it doesn't cover anything to do with a lap band, and there are no docs near me that will touch a band placed by someone else(in Mexico) without thousands of dollars. What do I do any ideals on what this could be. Any input would be great.

Edited February 13, 200917 yr by vmills

You NEED to see a lap-band surgeon NOW.

The port area has possibly become infected, and that could cause a whole bunch of problems.

I really don't know why people go to Mexico for their surgeries....I know it's cheaper, but when this kind of thing happens, you are kind of stuck. I also feel the same way about people who travel long distances within THIS country for the surgery. You need to be within a reasonable travel distance from YOUR surgeon for at leat a year or two.

Having said that (didn't mean to rant), ask your Primary doc to refer you out to a LB Surgeon, and do it quickly.

There is a lot that can go wrong with an infected port area, and you DON'T want to have to deal with THAT mess!

Keep us posted!

The port area has possibly become infected, and that could cause a whole bunch of problems.

There is a lot that can go wrong with an infected port area, and you DON'T want to have to deal with THAT mess!

Keep us posted!

agreed.

while i never had my port hot to the touch or red - it was very tender / protruded a bit more than normal & caused some discomfort after i ate.

my lapband dr ran some tests (endoscope/blood/sonogram) and i had a hernia right under the port. upon removal they noticed that i had a small infection at the port site - which was caught in time & healed after a good round of antibiotics.

infections can cause erosion......i'd do my best to get a lapband dr close to check that out or go back to original surgeon. it's nothing to ignore.

all the best!