need a new port?

elm55

How do you know if you need a new port?

Is removal of the old port painful?

Do they put the new port in the same place as the old one?

Can they place a port on the side where lymph nodes were removed?

I've had my port for 12 years. It's been difficult to flush and quite a process to get blood return. CT Scans show that the veins around the port are occluded (this has been for several years, not new). I will be going for a dye study next week.

Spookiesmom

My port has been in 5 years, no problems yet, and I don’t want it out. Seems like I read here over the years a new one can’t go where the old one was, and it can’t go on the rads side. I’ve never asked about this, will follow thread for answers.

Larkin

I just got a new port last week. It was able to go in the exact same spot but that will depend on your personal amount of scar tissue. I don't have lymph nodes left on either side and had radiation on my full chest and was still able to have the port.

Removing the old port can be an in office procedure, no big deal but if you are getting a new one, I can only imagine that they would just remove the old one while you are in surgery for the new.

My first port was 11 years ago and I must say, the new one is so much slimmer. I'm very happy with it!