help help help with port removal question

My port scar is worse than any of my bilateral DIEP scars (breast, tummy) or even my hip replacement scar! Maybe it's because the port was in for a year and a half (chemo plus Herceptin)? I had my port removed during the summer of 2007 and did all sorts of massaging and scar treatment plasters, still, it's the worst of all my scars.

mmm5, I had my port out 8 months ago and I have like a dent where it use to be. I would suspect your "bump" to be scar tissue. We all heal differently and having that thingy inside of us for more than a year our bodies adapt to it. What i'm saying tissues souround it and attch to it, so when the surgeon removes it, there will be some kind of trauma Ex, lumps,bumps,indentations

I had my port out almost a year ago, it hurt me horribly after, I had a very large lump there, and it took a long time before it went away, I was told this is quite normal (I was convinced there was something wrong).  My doctor put my port in a really bad spot, and left me with an awful scar.

hugs and prayers to all.

Shelley

I had my port removed yesterday. The doctor who took it out said I would be left with a permanent lumpy area as a result of the port. Is there anything that can be done to minimize the lump?

When I had my port out the area remained red, tender & sore; when I finally went in, they discovered that one of the dissolvable stitches had NOT dissolved, which was causing a constant irritation. I think they thought I was just being annoying, but when the surgeon was poking around the area (at my insistence that something was wrong) & pulled out about an inch long thread, he said in surprise "What the hell?!") When I later told this to my GP, his comment was that it is not terribly unusual for dissolvable stitches not to dissolve, so that might be something to check out if things still don't feel 'right' after awhile.

It was about 3 months. I would say to give it a month to six weeks and see what happens; because plain old healing does take time, but if it still feels tender & sore after that, I'd check it out sooner than I did.

I know. I felt a lump under my chin the other day & was freaking out until I put a mirror under my chin and discovered a bug bite!

well, I have a hole where mine was   It was an ugly lump that looked like a button under my skin when it was there. I still have a red thread that looks like where the vein was hooked into port that goes up to my neck. Had port out six months ago.  Wileis

I had my port out two years ago (it was in for 3-1/2 years) - there is almost no scarring but there is a slight indentation - it took a while to heal and was a little swollen but no large lump - we all do heal differently.....

yes, she said not a problem. I still have to put makeup on the vein. 

mmm5, did you ever find out about your bump? I went to see my breast surgeon, she felt it, said not to worry. My PS said it happens sometimes. I still need confirmation from my onc tho.....sigh.

After reading this thread, I'm having second thoughts about removing the power port. My last treatment was on July 5th and I'm scheduled for late August. A nurse I spoke with at the last treatment told/asked me, "What's the rush?". I plan on going back to work 3 days after the removal and there is no one to consult with. I just show up and they do it. I would have hoped to consult with the doctor that will remove it; maybe find out their "success rate". This reminds me of when I contracted someone to put in a fence. Great rep, horribly inexperienced installers. I know the analogy isn't fair to the medical profession, but is it a gamble getting the port taken out?

P.S. I plan to have as little sedation as possible.

Well gals, I got the port out today only using locals. It's exactly 3 hours later and it's still flat. I'm wearing a pajama t-shirt and I have several thin cold packs lined up. Found some cloth gloves and I can slip one of those packs into the glove palm and use a pincher clip to hold it from the round neckline. Bra didn't work; too low.

A FEW GORY DETAILS TO FOLLOW

It took the tech/nurse about 20 minutes to get that port out. So much scar tissue cocooned around it. Normal, she said. Then, it about 2 minutes (if that) to pull that tube out of the artery. They cleaned it (the port) up so I could get a photo. They were all so nice about letting me do a local. Had to inject a little extra halfway into getting the port out. A few cuts, some careful trimming away and a lot of pressure. Felt at times like someone leaning on me with the point of their elbow but mostly more pushing down pressure. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had been under.

Then, there was a little "pop" and it was out! They cleaned the area up, used dissolving stitches internally and used purple adhesive to close it up and cover it. Then they wheeled me back on the same bed to wait for the adhesive to dry. Of course, I prepared for anesthesia and hadn't eaten since 9 PM last night. Half hour later, I was out. (Total time invested at the Hospital: 3h 25m). Hello Culver's