port surgery questions

[MCGrad2006]

So I am going in next Friday the 23rd for my port surgery!  As I have said before, I am excited but scared.  I wanted to start a discussion so that I can be prepared.  I am ok with the pain, I understand that part (although I am hopeful it will not be as bad as I think...*crosses fingers*).  When I had my wisdom teeth out, I only took half of a percocet, one time....maybe that will be a good sign for this.<div><br></div><div>How many stitches will I have?  Do I have to go back to get them out?  Should  I start to wear a medic alert bracelet?  If not how would EMT's know if I am ever in an accident?  If you do, where did you get, what does it look like?  </div><div><br></div><div>They told me I will be awake for the surgery...which is fine, probably better for me because I HATE anesthesia.  Does this mean I will be able to move around, go to the bathroom, eat etc,  mostly fine (aside from the pain) after the surgery?  Will they have a screen up so I will not be able to see anything?  Was sleeping difficult for you (i tend to sleep on my stomach)?</div><div><br></div><div>Oh also...Will I be able to do PFT's five days later? Or do you think I will still be in pain?</div><div><br></div><div>How long until I can vest again?  If it is in my upper chest will I still be able to vest?</div><div><br></div><div>And finally...If you are a righty, which side of the upper chest would you recommend?</div>

 

[MCGrad2006]

So I am going in next Friday the 23rd for my port surgery! As I have said before, I am excited but scared. I wanted to start a discussion so that I can be prepared. I am ok with the pain, I understand that part (although I am hopeful it will not be as bad as I think...*crosses fingers*). When I had my wisdom teeth out, I only took half of a percocet, one time....maybe that will be a good sign for this.<br>How many stitches will I have? Do I have to go back to get them out? Should I start to wear a medic alert bracelet? If not how would EMT's know if I am ever in an accident? If you do, where did you get, what does it look like? <br>They told me I will be awake for the surgery...which is fine, probably better for me because I HATE anesthesia. Does this mean I will be able to move around, go to the bathroom, eat etc, mostly fine (aside from the pain) after the surgery? Will they have a screen up so I will not be able to see anything? Was sleeping difficult for you (i tend to sleep on my stomach)?<br>Oh also...Will I be able to do PFT's five days later? Or do you think I will still be in pain?<br>How long until I can vest again? If it is in my upper chest will I still be able to vest?<br>And finally...If you are a righty, which side of the upper chest would you recommend?

 

[MCGrad2006]

So I am going in next Friday the 23rd for my port surgery! As I have said before, I am excited but scared. I wanted to start a discussion so that I can be prepared. I am ok with the pain, I understand that part (although I am hopeful it will not be as bad as I think...*crosses fingers*). When I had my wisdom teeth out, I only took half of a percocet, one time....maybe that will be a good sign for this.<br>How many stitches will I have? Do I have to go back to get them out? Should I start to wear a medic alert bracelet? If not how would EMT's know if I am ever in an accident? If you do, where did you get, what does it look like? <br>They told me I will be awake for the surgery...which is fine, probably better for me because I HATE anesthesia. Does this mean I will be able to move around, go to the bathroom, eat etc, mostly fine (aside from the pain) after the surgery? Will they have a screen up so I will not be able to see anything? Was sleeping difficult for you (i tend to sleep on my stomach)?<br>Oh also...Will I be able to do PFT's five days later? Or do you think I will still be in pain?<br>How long until I can vest again? If it is in my upper chest will I still be able to vest?<br>And finally...If you are a righty, which side of the upper chest would you recommend?

 

[JustDucky]

All very good questions <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> As far as stitches, mine were all internal and dissolved on their own, so no going back to have them removed. Medic bracelet- it wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't have one (shame on me!) but I do carry a card that states what type of port, where it was put in and by whom. The doctor should give you one with the serial number and all of the info filled out before you leave. More than likely if you were in an accident requiring an immediate IV, they would place it in the field (ambulances rarely have port supplies) peripherally.

I was awake during my last placement, given medications (Versed and Fentanyl) to make me not care what they were doing (lol).. Honestly, I was not aware of what they were doing at all until they checked patency of the port as they were flushing it. I was groggy and coming to by then. It didn't take my doctor long to place the port either, I think the prep took longer than the actual procedure.

The effects of the medication are short lived, so you will be able to carry on fairly soon afterwards. If you sleep on your stomach, it will be sore at least until it heals up completely. I slept in the Sim's position, kind of on my belly partially but supported with a soft pillow.

You should be able to do PFT's, the soreness will be much better by then. I wouldn't lift anything heavy for awhile until the doc says it is okay. I don't remember how long my doc said to avoid lifting.....As far as port placement, if you are a righty, on the left side of the chest wall would be best especially if you want to access it yourself sometime down the line. I am a righty and have had it on both sides (two ports in all) and the left side is by far the easiest to maneuver around. The right side was doable but awkward at times.

Hope this helps and good luck! You should do well with pain control....only a half a perc after wisdom extraction??? Damn you are tough! lol

Hugs, Jenn

 

[JustDucky]

All very good questions <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> As far as stitches, mine were all internal and dissolved on their own, so no going back to have them removed. Medic bracelet- it wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't have one (shame on me!) but I do carry a card that states what type of port, where it was put in and by whom. The doctor should give you one with the serial number and all of the info filled out before you leave. More than likely if you were in an accident requiring an immediate IV, they would place it in the field (ambulances rarely have port supplies) peripherally.

I was awake during my last placement, given medications (Versed and Fentanyl) to make me not care what they were doing (lol).. Honestly, I was not aware of what they were doing at all until they checked patency of the port as they were flushing it. I was groggy and coming to by then. It didn't take my doctor long to place the port either, I think the prep took longer than the actual procedure.

The effects of the medication are short lived, so you will be able to carry on fairly soon afterwards. If you sleep on your stomach, it will be sore at least until it heals up completely. I slept in the Sim's position, kind of on my belly partially but supported with a soft pillow.

You should be able to do PFT's, the soreness will be much better by then. I wouldn't lift anything heavy for awhile until the doc says it is okay. I don't remember how long my doc said to avoid lifting.....As far as port placement, if you are a righty, on the left side of the chest wall would be best especially if you want to access it yourself sometime down the line. I am a righty and have had it on both sides (two ports in all) and the left side is by far the easiest to maneuver around. The right side was doable but awkward at times.

Hope this helps and good luck! You should do well with pain control....only a half a perc after wisdom extraction??? Damn you are tough! lol

Hugs, Jenn

 

[JustDucky]

All very good questions <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> As far as stitches, mine were all internal and dissolved on their own, so no going back to have them removed. Medic bracelet- it wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't have one (shame on me!) but I do carry a card that states what type of port, where it was put in and by whom. The doctor should give you one with the serial number and all of the info filled out before you leave. More than likely if you were in an accident requiring an immediate IV, they would place it in the field (ambulances rarely have port supplies) peripherally.
<br />
<br />I was awake during my last placement, given medications (Versed and Fentanyl) to make me not care what they were doing (lol).. Honestly, I was not aware of what they were doing at all until they checked patency of the port as they were flushing it. I was groggy and coming to by then. It didn't take my doctor long to place the port either, I think the prep took longer than the actual procedure.
<br />
<br />The effects of the medication are short lived, so you will be able to carry on fairly soon afterwards. If you sleep on your stomach, it will be sore at least until it heals up completely. I slept in the Sim's position, kind of on my belly partially but supported with a soft pillow.
<br />
<br />You should be able to do PFT's, the soreness will be much better by then. I wouldn't lift anything heavy for awhile until the doc says it is okay. I don't remember how long my doc said to avoid lifting.....As far as port placement, if you are a righty, on the left side of the chest wall would be best especially if you want to access it yourself sometime down the line. I am a righty and have had it on both sides (two ports in all) and the left side is by far the easiest to maneuver around. The right side was doable but awkward at times.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps and good luck! You should do well with pain control....only a half a perc after wisdom extraction??? Damn you are tough! lol
<br />
<br />Hugs, Jenn

 

[MCGrad2006]

Thanks Jen!  Yes I took half of the pill and then was fine with tylenol for a few days.  That makes me feel better, I really don't like the side effects of the pain killers.  That could make for a rough few days if I am feeling stubborn.  <div><br></div><div>How long did the whole procedure take?  Did you go to recovery after?  For how long?</div>

 

[MCGrad2006]

Thanks Jen! Yes I took half of the pill and then was fine with tylenol for a few days. That makes me feel better, I really don't like the side effects of the pain killers. That could make for a rough few days if I am feeling stubborn. <br>How long did the whole procedure take? Did you go to recovery after? For how long?

 

[MCGrad2006]

Thanks Jen! Yes I took half of the pill and then was fine with tylenol for a few days. That makes me feel better, I really don't like the side effects of the pain killers. That could make for a rough few days if I am feeling stubborn. <br>How long did the whole procedure take? Did you go to recovery after? For how long?

 

[Havoc]

Jenn is correct, we do not carry the needles necessary to access a port (mostly because accessing ports is not within our protocol), so a peripheral line would be done. There's really no concern from a emergency medical standpoint that I can think of. I've had numerous patients with ports (and PICC's) We can access the PICC's with permission from a command physician, although I would always start a peripheral line if a good vein was available.

The only thing that comes to mind would be a traumatic injury where the port or catheter was damaged causing hemorrhage, which would be obvious and not require a medic alert bracelet. The only thing to do in that situation is control the bleeding and get a surgeon to replace the port.

 

[Havoc]

Jenn is correct, we do not carry the needles necessary to access a port (mostly because accessing ports is not within our protocol), so a peripheral line would be done. There's really no concern from a emergency medical standpoint that I can think of. I've had numerous patients with ports (and PICC's) We can access the PICC's with permission from a command physician, although I would always start a peripheral line if a good vein was available.

The only thing that comes to mind would be a traumatic injury where the port or catheter was damaged causing hemorrhage, which would be obvious and not require a medic alert bracelet. The only thing to do in that situation is control the bleeding and get a surgeon to replace the port.

 

[Havoc]

Jenn is correct, we do not carry the needles necessary to access a port (mostly because accessing ports is not within our protocol), so a peripheral line would be done. There's really no concern from a emergency medical standpoint that I can think of. I've had numerous patients with ports (and PICC's) We can access the PICC's with permission from a command physician, although I would always start a peripheral line if a good vein was available.
<br />
<br />The only thing that comes to mind would be a traumatic injury where the port or catheter was damaged causing hemorrhage, which would be obvious and not require a medic alert bracelet. The only thing to do in that situation is control the bleeding and get a surgeon to replace the port.

 

[IVWinchester79]

<br>Haha, was I the only person who was asleep for the surgery? I got one put in when I was too young to remember, and I got a replacement one when I was 9. I just remember waiting for forever for them to put me to sleep. I think the procedure went really quickly, I just remember waking up in recovery. After the replacement surgery, I only felt a little soreness. It never really bothered me. I was up and about as soon as we left the hospital the same day. I never went back to get the stitches removed, they fall out on their own. The only thing I hated was getting it flushed every month. I got it removed when I was thirteen. But having it never really bothered me at all.

 

[IVWinchester79]

<br>Haha, was I the only person who was asleep for the surgery? I got one put in when I was too young to remember, and I got a replacement one when I was 9. I just remember waiting for forever for them to put me to sleep. I think the procedure went really quickly, I just remember waking up in recovery. After the replacement surgery, I only felt a little soreness. It never really bothered me. I was up and about as soon as we left the hospital the same day. I never went back to get the stitches removed, they fall out on their own. The only thing I hated was getting it flushed every month. I got it removed when I was thirteen. But having it never really bothered me at all.

 

[IVWinchester79]

<br>Haha, was I the only person who was asleep for the surgery? I got one put in when I was too young to remember, and I got a replacement one when I was 9. I just remember waiting for forever for them to put me to sleep. I think the procedure went really quickly, I just remember waking up in recovery. After the replacement surgery, I only felt a little soreness. It never really bothered me. I was up and about as soon as we left the hospital the same day. I never went back to get the stitches removed, they fall out on their own. The only thing I hated was getting it flushed every month. I got it removed when I was thirteen. But having it never really bothered me at all.

 

[JustDucky]

For my first port I was put to sleep and had a similar experience to yours Ineyda.....The second placement only took about a hour and then to recovery room for another hour to make sure my vitals and oxygenation were okay along with sufficient pain control. After recovery, I was sent to same day and observed for another hour or so and then I went home. I don't remember being too sore for long, before I knew it, I was back to my normal routine.

Jenn

 

[JustDucky]

For my first port I was put to sleep and had a similar experience to yours Ineyda.....The second placement only took about a hour and then to recovery room for another hour to make sure my vitals and oxygenation were okay along with sufficient pain control. After recovery, I was sent to same day and observed for another hour or so and then I went home. I don't remember being too sore for long, before I knew it, I was back to my normal routine.

Jenn

 

[JustDucky]

For my first port I was put to sleep and had a similar experience to yours Ineyda.....The second placement only took about a hour and then to recovery room for another hour to make sure my vitals and oxygenation were okay along with sufficient pain control. After recovery, I was sent to same day and observed for another hour or so and then I went home. I don't remember being too sore for long, before I knew it, I was back to my normal routine.
<br />
<br />Jenn

 

[jenhum]

My first port placement was probably my toughest, but I really think it was b/c I was put to sleep and I didn't react well to the anesthesia- plus I was sick and on IV's at the time, so it was just all in all kind of sucky.

I've had 2 replacement ports, and both were fairly easy. Local anesthesia, but made me loopy enough that I was far off in lala land, I remember nothing about the surgeries. After my 2nd replacement, I felt fine after recovery- was hungry and wanted to stop at Outback to eat on the way home. Promptly fell asleep at the table and then puked up my dinner in the parking lot. Lesson learned- even if you feel ok, take it easy for the rest of that day and the next, lol!

I don't have a medic alert bracelet- I just have the little card explaining what kind of port it is in my purse. Actually, I may have lost that, I should probably check. The two times I've had to be picked up by an ambulance, they did peripheral sticks anyway.

You'll probably be pretty sore for a couple of days, then a little sore for 1-2 weeks and then just sore to the touch for another week or so. I remember thinking it was painful in high school, but I was a dramatic teen, after having a baby my 3rd one was nothing, haha. I won't stress at all if I have to get a 4th down the road. Good luck and I hope you love your port as much as I love mine!

 

[jenhum]

My first port placement was probably my toughest, but I really think it was b/c I was put to sleep and I didn't react well to the anesthesia- plus I was sick and on IV's at the time, so it was just all in all kind of sucky.

I've had 2 replacement ports, and both were fairly easy. Local anesthesia, but made me loopy enough that I was far off in lala land, I remember nothing about the surgeries. After my 2nd replacement, I felt fine after recovery- was hungry and wanted to stop at Outback to eat on the way home. Promptly fell asleep at the table and then puked up my dinner in the parking lot. Lesson learned- even if you feel ok, take it easy for the rest of that day and the next, lol!

I don't have a medic alert bracelet- I just have the little card explaining what kind of port it is in my purse. Actually, I may have lost that, I should probably check. The two times I've had to be picked up by an ambulance, they did peripheral sticks anyway.

You'll probably be pretty sore for a couple of days, then a little sore for 1-2 weeks and then just sore to the touch for another week or so. I remember thinking it was painful in high school, but I was a dramatic teen, after having a baby my 3rd one was nothing, haha. I won't stress at all if I have to get a 4th down the road. Good luck and I hope you love your port as much as I love mine!