Question:
Where is a central line IV put in?

I'm interested because I've got small vains and alwasy have a difficult time when I have to have an IV put in my hands or arms. They also roll or move when touched by a needle. I need the WLS bad and I'm waiting for approval now so this is one thing I can discuss with my surgeon.    — gwendolyn M. (posted on March 23, 2002)

March 23, 2002
Your central line will be put into a huge vessel in your neck. It will probably be inserted after you are under anesthesia so you will wake up and it will be there. They will probably have to find a vein somewhere on your hands or arms on a temporary basis until they get you under, then they will use the central line for everything.
   — Laureen59

March 23, 2002
hi like the prevous poster said they will more than likely go for your neck they stick a pad over it so its not very visable and the line is stiched in place ...it was put in while i was under...and i had no pain from it but after about the 3rd day when coming out of morpine haze i touched it a couple of times and freaked a bit at thought i had a needle in my neck so after a few times of freakin about it i decided to quit it and not touch it and to zone out ...
   — Rachel F.

March 23, 2002
Hi Gwen. I had a central line placed in after my surgury. This was because I have horrible veins and kept blowing all my IV's. After a tough night of the nurses and then the anestisiology team trying to find a vein anywhere(I was poked so MANY times!!LOL), they called in my surgeon to do the central line. It was placed in my neck and was covered. It was not the most pleasant thing to have done while awake(they do numb the area, you just feel pressure), so if you have a real history, discuss the possibility with your doc of having it done while under. Most doc's won't do them unless it is a real necessity. The good thing about the central line was it made for easier walking and getting around with 2 free hands. Showering was also a breeze because I could easily wash without disturbing the site. If you have any questions please feel free to email me!
   — Jo Ann Y.

March 23, 2002
the central line can be put in the neck or the chest, the neck is the first choice according to my dr. They put the central line in me when I was under so I never felt it go in. I loved it. I have horrible veins and not having to be poked and prodded was a true God Send! It never hurt, in fact I slept on it. I went over on my right side the afternoon of my surgery and stayed there. When it came time to take it out the nurse very gently snipped the one or two stitches holding it in and pulled it out. It didn't hurt at all, and I do NOT like needles. Good luck!
   — Becky K.

March 24, 2002
My mother had her central line put in at her groin.
   — Julie S.

March 25, 2002
The stick it right into a vein. I think they also call them a shunt. This is so you don't have the problems that doing it in the arm can cause. I would NEVER have another surgery without one. I had 3 c sections and my veins fell & my arm ballooned. I finally refused treatment it was so bad. It was miserable. They can give you shots do the blood work EVERYTHING through this little devise. When they take it out they just pull it. It hurts less than all the trouble an arm IV will give you. Who ever invented it has my graditude.
   — Rebecca K.