Is it easy getting a port removed?

Kaleena
Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I just had my six-month check-up (actually 7 mos) today. All looked good. They did a PAP and I will get a PET Scan and I can get my port removed. I have had it in almost 6 years. I had an appointment for next week to get it out, but I got new insurance so now there is a problem which I am sure we will work out.

My question is do they put you under to take it out? The one place said that a Physician's Assistant was going to do it. I am not sure about this, but then again, I am not really sure who put it in. Do they put you under? All I know that it is a pretty easy procedure.

Thanks.

Kathy

Comments

  • lkchapman
    lkchapman Member Posts: 106
    #2
    Port removal
    Hi Kalena,

    They usually just use a local anesthetic when they remove the port and you may be given something to help calm you before hand. It's usually performed by a P.A. or an A.P.N but sometimes a doctor will be the one to remove it. General anesthetic is not usually used for adults. It is really a relatively minor procedure compared to implanting one.
    I have never had a port so I can't tell you what the experience is like, but I code them for a major cancer center where it's done routinely. I'm sure there are women on this site who can give you a better idea of what to expect.

    Congratulations on getting your port out! What a milestone!

    Laura
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #3
    My port removal experience
    Kathy,

    I had my port put in by a general surgeon in the hospital, but he removed it in his office (he did this himself). I think they did a little deadening, but that was all. I don't recall that it was particularly painful... all in all, an easy thing to do.

    Hope it all goes well for you!

    Karen
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    #4
    kkstef said:

    My port removal experience
    Kathy,

    I had my port put in by a general surgeon in the hospital, but he removed it in his office (he did this himself). I think they did a little deadening, but that was all. I don't recall that it was particularly painful... all in all, an easy thing to do.

    Hope it all goes well for you!

    Karen

    Congratulations, Kathy!
    Your doctor must be pretty confident that you are home free. YAY! Breathe deeply; I'm sure that port removal will be a breeze.

    With caring,

    Jill
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #5
    Thanks!
    Laura, Karen & Jill:

    Thank you for your happy greetings and information. I am so looking forward to getting this out. I do have to get another PET Scan first so I guess they can tell right away before I get my port removed since I am getting them done on the same day.

    I am still having some issue about my "new" insurance since now my doctor is "out of network". Yikes! I had brought this issue up prior to getting this new insurance and they indicated all that needs to be done is have my doctor talk to them. We will see.

    Hugs to all!

    Kathy
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #6
    Kaleena said:

    Thanks!
    Laura, Karen & Jill:

    Thank you for your happy greetings and information. I am so looking forward to getting this out. I do have to get another PET Scan first so I guess they can tell right away before I get my port removed since I am getting them done on the same day.

    I am still having some issue about my "new" insurance since now my doctor is "out of network". Yikes! I had brought this issue up prior to getting this new insurance and they indicated all that needs to be done is have my doctor talk to them. We will see.

    Hugs to all!

    Kathy

    Kathy - a few questions for you
    Why, after having port for 6 years, are you finally having it removed? Have you been NED for a long time? Sorry, I can't remember your history. Do you have a chronic cancer like upsc?

    I've had mine for 2.5 years and, while trying not to be pessimistic, think that I will need it in future again (to treat upsc).

    I'm truly happy for you that you will not have to deal with this again. Best wishes on your PET and removal.

    Mary Ann
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    #7
    daisy366 said:

    Kathy - a few questions for you
    Why, after having port for 6 years, are you finally having it removed? Have you been NED for a long time? Sorry, I can't remember your history. Do you have a chronic cancer like upsc?

    I've had mine for 2.5 years and, while trying not to be pessimistic, think that I will need it in future again (to treat upsc).

    I'm truly happy for you that you will not have to deal with this again. Best wishes on your PET and removal.

    Mary Ann

    UPSC Is Not Always Chronic


    I wanted to clarify something for those women who are beginning their cancer journey. Although UPSC may sometimes be chronic, particularly because it is often diagnosed at later stages, if it is found early, it can be cured (generally with treatment). In addition, I am hearing more and more often about UPSC survivors who were diagnosed at later stages and who are alive years later.


    Jill
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #8
    daisy366 said:

    Kathy - a few questions for you
    Why, after having port for 6 years, are you finally having it removed? Have you been NED for a long time? Sorry, I can't remember your history. Do you have a chronic cancer like upsc?

    I've had mine for 2.5 years and, while trying not to be pessimistic, think that I will need it in future again (to treat upsc).

    I'm truly happy for you that you will not have to deal with this again. Best wishes on your PET and removal.

    Mary Ann

    Good question, Mary Ann
    Mary Ann:

    My original doctor was going to take it out and wanted me to wait 3 months after my treatment. Then it was another three months, even though all tests were negative and my treatment was really a preventative treatment since my staging surgery tests were all clear/negative.

    Then he semi retired and kept putting it off. Then he finally retired. New doctor said he was superstitious and kept it in, although I read my chart that said I wanted it in, but I didn't. Then I got rid of that doctor and had another one but then I had a positive biopsy. I changed doctors again to my recent doctor (very long long story). He removed the small mass - it was negative, however I had one lymph node that was removed having microscopic cells. So after two PET scans which they were negative, I can now have it out.

    I was NED for 4 1/2 years before the biopsy. My recent surgery was in February of 2010 and required no treatment.

    Further note, since February of this year, my local hospital refuses to flush my port because my doctor is out of state and my local PCP is not associated with a couple of the hospitals so they refused to flush it. I faithfully had it flushed monthly since 2005 until the refusal. So now it probably doesn't work anyway.

    Thanks for your wishes. How are you doing? I hope all is well and you are enjoying the start of summer. My middle son graduated from high school tonight so it was an enjoyable evening.

    Kathy

    P S. My diagnosis was Grade 2 Stage ii/iiia endometrial adencarcinoma
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    #9
    Kaleena said:

    Good question, Mary Ann
    Mary Ann:

    My original doctor was going to take it out and wanted me to wait 3 months after my treatment. Then it was another three months, even though all tests were negative and my treatment was really a preventative treatment since my staging surgery tests were all clear/negative.

    Then he semi retired and kept putting it off. Then he finally retired. New doctor said he was superstitious and kept it in, although I read my chart that said I wanted it in, but I didn't. Then I got rid of that doctor and had another one but then I had a positive biopsy. I changed doctors again to my recent doctor (very long long story). He removed the small mass - it was negative, however I had one lymph node that was removed having microscopic cells. So after two PET scans which they were negative, I can now have it out.

    I was NED for 4 1/2 years before the biopsy. My recent surgery was in February of 2010 and required no treatment.

    Further note, since February of this year, my local hospital refuses to flush my port because my doctor is out of state and my local PCP is not associated with a couple of the hospitals so they refused to flush it. I faithfully had it flushed monthly since 2005 until the refusal. So now it probably doesn't work anyway.

    Thanks for your wishes. How are you doing? I hope all is well and you are enjoying the start of summer. My middle son graduated from high school tonight so it was an enjoyable evening.

    Kathy

    P S. My diagnosis was Grade 2 Stage ii/iiia endometrial adencarcinoma

    I am happy for you
    Kathy,

    I had the same cancer, stage 2, grade 3. I only had 6 months of chemo and hysterectomy, no radiation.
    I finished chemo exactly a month ago. I getting my port removed on Thursday.
    My onco told me I could had it removed a week after I finished treatment; however, I had an MRI on August 13 and I wanted to wait for the result first. Everything looks fine!
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #10
    Fayard said:

    I am happy for you
    Kathy,

    I had the same cancer, stage 2, grade 3. I only had 6 months of chemo and hysterectomy, no radiation.
    I finished chemo exactly a month ago. I getting my port removed on Thursday.
    My onco told me I could had it removed a week after I finished treatment; however, I had an MRI on August 13 and I wanted to wait for the result first. Everything looks fine!

    Thanks Fayard:
    I am happy
    Thanks Fayard:

    I am happy everything looks fine and you are getting your port out. I finally got mine taken out! It was a breeze.

    My best to you.

    Kathy
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    #11
    Kaleena said:

    Thanks Fayard:
    I am happy
    Thanks Fayard:

    I am happy everything looks fine and you are getting your port out. I finally got mine taken out! It was a breeze.

    My best to you.

    Kathy

    Now, I know for sure!
    I just got my port out today.
    It was simple, as some of you stated.
    I just have a little bit of pain from the stitches, but a nothing compared with being pocked more than 40 times during chemo!
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #12
    Fayard said:

    Now, I know for sure!
    I just got my port out today.
    It was simple, as some of you stated.
    I just have a little bit of pain from the stitches, but a nothing compared with being pocked more than 40 times during chemo!

    Great to hear it all went
    Great to hear it all went smoothly for both of you!

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