Ramone and Betty, I've Lost My Port

I thought I'd let you know that my port became infected and the surgeon here had to remove it. In November I did 7 days of Ammoxo Clav as the incision was red and sore. It cleared up a bit and I decided to keep an eye on it. On December 2 the redness returned along with the pain. I did 10 days of Ammoxo Clav, Cipro Flox and Metronidazole with no response. The infection continued to spread and the pain got worse. I had a CT Scan and a scope that showed the band had not eroded into the stomach. The surgeon here removed the port on Tuesday (Dec 18) and on Wednesday with a temp of 102.3 and the chills I had to start I.V. antibiotics every twelve hours. On Friday they added another I.V. antibiotic and increased it to every 8 hours. I am feeling better today and the incision is draining less. I am just unsure of what to do from here. The surgeon clamped off the tubing so that some restriction would remain. I just don't know if I want to have another port re-inserted and risk going through this all over again. Anyways, thank you for listening to me unload on you. I hope everything with you both is going well. Take care, Rhonda

Hi Rhonda, I am sooooo sorry to hear about you losing your port. I must have just missed your post because I logged in before the XMas rush and I've just read it. The important thing is that you are well (you still are right?) and can take a step back and see what the options are. Have you talked to Dr. Joya yet? I think the good thing above getting a new port put in is that it's not as major as the whole initial procedure, so I wonder if it could be done under local anesthesia ? Take care and let me know how your doing. Ramone

Thanks for the reply. I'm still struggling with infection and the surgeon here is worried that the entire band and tubing is infected. At this point I'm starting to feel it would be better to get the entire thing removed so I can get healthy again. I am back on two different kinds of antibioics. I have been on and off of antibioics since the middle of November and that's really hard on the body. I am not sure what's going to happen. Thanks again, Rhonda

Hi Rhonda, I'm so sorry to hear you've had more troubles. This whole thing has been BAD for you it seems. I hope you can get yourself healthy again soon, I can't imagine how terrible you must feel especially after we were all so excited about our bands and getting healthier by losing weight. Have you been in touch with your surgeon in Mexico? Try to take care of yourself, and keep in touch. Best of luck! Betty