Port Flippage

This morning I went in for a fill and was told that my port flipped. Consequently, I will need another procedure to flip the port around. Has this happened to anyone else? I have so many questions. Should I go back to the same surgeon? She admitted that this is her second flippage (she has not had many lap band patients) and I am concerned. Will this second procedure cost me? She assured me that this was not due to anything I'd done/not done. After the second procedure, will I have similar down time (due to anesthesia, incision healing, et cetera)? Any insight would be appreciated. Happy Thursday!

other than to say I've seen several people on here talking about it and it seems like a rare, but common problem with the band... I personally have no experience with it, but just know you aren't alone.

Thank you Stephanie :-) I hope you do not have any such issues down the line. I just want to get information from others, in case there are questions I might miss or things I should be concerned about.

May port was replaced last week it was cracked and has been cracked since it was put in so it has never worked    I had 3 fills and paid for them I dont know how much it will cost  since I have not recived any bills yet for the port replacement.  I personally think Inamed needs a program or somehow include the cost of this into the initial cost  If they do not have this problem fixed I see class action lawsuits coming some day you would think after spending 16,000.00 that there would be a warrenty of some kind or someone to take responsibility for this problem.  I read this board everyday and seems like the most common problem to date is with the ports  the surgery itself was not bad at all and I went to work the next day after 3 days all pain is gone but a little tenderness good luck and maybe my a miracle some one will accept responsibility and help with payments for the surgery.......

Thanks Weezy, I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. Doesn't sound like it's stopped you though! Best wishes for continued success.

I've had a flipped port.  It is no biggie, but it is not a freebie neither (if you were self-pay, you would most likely have to self-pay again - unless your surgeon is super duper nice and need not a surgical room and no medical assistants.  If insurance paid for your original surgery, your docs office needs to put in an approval for a band revision.).  Sometimes a doc can manipulate manually under flouroscope.  Other times it requires surgery which is not at all as invasive as the actual band implantation.  Remember that  surgeons usually only work through your port incision.  The port has nothing to do  with the actual Band around your stomach. My doc flipped my port back manually.  Later I had a cracked port and a tubing leak which required port replacement - that hurt like hell and for several weeks too!! like the original port pain/discomfort post-op.  Best, Leila

Its a very easy fix.  I had mine done this past January.  It took a whole 15 mins.  You are kind of knocked out where you don't remember anything.  Your sore in the port area, but nothing like the initial surgery.  It happens a lot more that people think.    Jenn

Hi Jenn, I would need to be a knocked out due to my low pain tolerance :) It's good to know that I am not the only one. It's one of those things I think people need to hear more about (so they don't freak like I did). Thank you for the information!

Ellys, I've seen a lot of flipped ports, I've only had 1 that I couldn't access with the help of fluoro (you can manipulate it under direct vision).  You're not that far away - if you want me to try it I'd be happy to. We have lots of patients from Indy. Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio www.TheBandDoctor.com     877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER:  I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines.  Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

My port flipped last year. They did take me back to surgery,,,,it was outpatient and i went home the same day, The same rules applied though for after surgery,.....especially the lifting etc...we sure didnt want to take any chances that my stitches would come apart this time! I did change surgeons but not just because of the port flip. I guess that is a personal decision. I do know that port flips happen...we just happen to be 2 of the unlucky ones!  The good news is since they fixed my port I have had no more problems and my fills are a piece of cake now...LOL....guess i shouldn't use Cake as an example....LOL  You will be back to losing again in no time.... Please feel free to email me if you have any questions etc.....When are they going to fix it??? LuAnne