Newbie

Hi,

I just had my surgery July 28. The spot where the port is kind of bulges out like a tennis ball under the skin. Is this normal? Will it go away eventually?

anne_in_DC

Yes, it will go away.  It's scar tissue and in a few months it will be gone.  Promise.

Thanks so much! I was worried.

You really should not take medical advice from people on a wls board. You should call your doctor and let him make that decision for you. The reason I say this is because recently I read a post from a bandster whose port busted its way out through her skin.

Here's a link to her post.

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/4432803/Keeps-getting-wor se-and-worse-port-sticking-out/#36640616

Hi anne,

That sounds like a seroma which can be a result of any surgery.  I had one and had it drained by my doc a few times.  Your body eventually reabsorbs and the seroma goes away.  It is really just a build up of fluid.  Sometimes it gets uncomfortable but it shouldn't be causing any real pain.

If it continues to really bother you, talk to your surgeon about having it drained.  Be careful with this though as my surgeon charged me an outrageous fee for doing this which essentially consisted of sticking syringe in the seroma and drawing out fluid.

Good luck!

Welcome, Anne, and congrats on being banded!

As others have said, that bulging spot is probably normal - inflammation from surgery, scar tissue, perhaps an accumulation of fluid (seroma), but if the area becomes red and hot to touch as well as swollen (signs of infection), call your surgeon ASAP.

I didn't have any problem with my port site after my original band surgery, but when I had my port repositioned, that area was very swollen and tender for about a month.

Jean

I had my surgery July 25. my port area is getting better. Hurts when I bend over to tie my stupid shoes.  Guess I am glad it is doing good since they put it in one of my rolls so as it gets smaller it does not bother me as much. Just tender when touching it.
Hope it feels better soon!