Port removal

[prairie_girl]

Who here has had a medical port removed? I had one put in three or four years ago because I had to do monthly blood work and my veins suck.

I no longer require monitoring so my port is coming out. The appointment is in two weeks and I’m already scared for the procedure. It’s an in office appointment rather than a whole procedure requiring an IV (ironic) and sedation.

I don’t want to Google it because I will focus on the horror stories, and I really just need to know it’s a minor procedure and having it done in office will be ok.

*the office is in a hospital so I guess if something goes horribly wrong, I’m in the best place for it.

Will I get stitches, or just tape to keep the wound closed? I don’t remember what happened when I got it put in. I already have a huge gnarly scar from when it got put in, don’t really want another one.

 

[RogueX]

I had a double lumen catheter placed in my chest when I was pregnant in order to get get TPN because a PICC line couldn't be placed in my arms (my veins loop around and are extremely hard to find on a good day, let alone when I was severely dehydrated). It had to be surgically placed, dressings changed by a nurse at home, etc. One my daughter was born, they just pulled it out in my hospital room like it was nothing, put a dressing over it and let me continue on with my day. No one checked the site while I was still recovering from my c-section, so I guess that's just how they handled it.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

FWIW, when we removed them from dogs and cats it was just a matter of clipping a couple sutures and pulling it out. Took about 3 seconds.

 

[Earstou]

There was a stitch or two when Dh had his put in, so I would guess they would use some stitches when they remove it. He has had his in for awhile (years) and the scar is a lot less noticeable now. Hope it goes well for you, nice and easy!

 

[goofyernmost]

I had one about 4 years ago when I had a major requirement for intravenous antibiotic requirement that lasted about 5 weeks. I don't recall an even slightly uncomfortable anything when it was taken out.