port removal, NO anesthesia???!!!! HELP-----

[Marie H]

They want to remove my port, the kind implanted in the chest, with just a local. I have heard nothing good about this, can anyone share their experiences?

[Montana]

Hi Marie,

I had my port removed in the surgeons office with a local. I didn't feel a thing except for the numbing shots. It was a fairly easy procedure and took about 1/2 an hour. If you feel anything, ask for more stuff!

Sue

[Barbara H.]

Hi Marie,
I had my first port put in and taken out with only local injections. I could just feel a little pressure where they were working, but no pain. It was great because I could leave as soon as it was done. You won't have any nausia because you won't have meds. You can go out and celebrate having that port out.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Marie H]

Thanks everyone, unfortunately I have to have another implanted, I was hoping to have this done at the same time and in the same way I had the first which was under sedation. But they want to wait to put in the next one. So they remove this one tomorrow MAYBE as I am not sure I can possibly go through with this without sedation and just a local. I have heard some real nightmare scenarios with blood and pain. My port is the kind that is in the chest and is completely under the skin. I know some may see me as being a baby. WHen I had it put in I asked how they get it out and was told under sedation just like they put it in. I am so tired of getting misinformation from my md team. Well, THanks for letting me vent and hopefully I can find some courage somewhere, I feel very low in that dept.

[*_sally_*]

My port has been in for about a 1 1/2 yrs. My surgeon has been saying all along that he will take it out in the office whenever I'm done with it. This last time I saw him he said they can sedate me in the hospital if I want them to. I thought that maybe he said that because of the length of time it has had to heal in my chest. How long were your ports in for? Sally

[Barbara2]

My port was removed with just a local anesthetic. I was having complications with my heart; blood pressure running low, so they didn't want to give me the normal sedation.

It went very well. It took about a half an hour. The doctor kept reassuring me and asking me if I was OK. Very nice. I tried to go to a "quiet place" and before I knew it we were done. Like I said, he kept talking to me, so I never felt too worried. I can't remember any pain, so it couldn't have been too bad.

Good luck to you. You will be fine!

Barbara

[Lolly]

Marie, I've had 3 ports so far, and each procedure including the 2 removals were done with just a local. It was like going to the dentist really, the anticipation of it maybe hurting was the worst part. I did feel the injections for the local of course, but not much else even though I was completely awake. My procedures did take place in Day Surgery though, not the surgeons office.
I think the local is the newest thing, all the surgeons are switching to it because it lowers the incidence of complications from anesthetic, which is also more expensive of course...HOWEVER, if you are adamant about wanting sedation, just be stubborn about it and insist. Don't agree to a procedure if you're not comfortable with it.

<3,
Lolly

[Marie H]

Thanks again to Lolly and everyone for your support, I have calmed down a little, and I will be leaving in a few hours for the surgeon and to see if I can do this. I hope very much that when they put in a new one that sedation is part of the scenario, Lolly, did you have the chest port type put in without anesthesia, I know I couldn't do that but maybe I can get through the removal. I will be thinking of you guys for support through it today, Blessings and hugs, Marie

[Marie H]

MANY Thanks to all who wrote and gave me courage, procedure went fine, you were all so right that it was quite doable. Thought of all you throughout - really couldn't have faced it without your support and information, this site and the Breast cancer support site have gotten me through so much, sending hugs and blessings to all.

[Barbara2]

You are so welcome!! Glad it went well for you. I was sure it would. We can find that inner strength when we have to! The good Lord, along with thoughts and prayers from others make the difference. Thanks for letting us know......

Blessings, Barb

[Lolly]

Marie, SO GLAD to hear it all went well. It isn't easy doing all we have to do to survive, but we do it! To answer you question, yes, I did have the chest port implant, all three, done without sedation just a local. BUT, I remember that they did give me a shot of something to relax my nerves before hand. That helped a lot.

<3,
Lolly