Port Removal: Awake through the procedure?!!

mimivac
mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just made my appointment to have my port removed on July 17th. My surgeon's office says that she will do the procedure in the office under local anesthesia. The nurse told me that I will hold her hand and yell "ouch, ouch, ouch" throughout the one-hour procedure. She also said that I will feel burning and stinging. Anyone else experience port removal this way? I have to say I'm a little nervous about this. Thanks.

Mimi

Comments

  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #2
    Hi Mimi
    I had my port removed last month. They put you in twilight sleep. At one point the doctor and the anesthesiologist were talking about a golf game and the anesth... said that Ian Poulter reminded him of Rod Stewart. I said yes, I thought that too, and he looked under the little sheet and started laughing, saying - you are awake! I was in and out, but felt absolutely nothing. As soon as I was in the recovery room I was telling them I wanted to go home. I took that day and the next off and came back to work on Wednesday. I too was worried about being awake, but it was fine.

    He wanted to leave it in for a year, but I said "Get that sucker out of me so I can get on with my life." He was not happy, but he did it.

    Good luck and don't worry about being awake - its like being a bit in la la land! ha ha

    Pat
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #3
    That sounds like torture
    That sounds like torture Mimi! Yikes!
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #4
    Why in the Office?
    My oncologist said the surgeon could do it in his office, but he said absolutely not - he put me in the hospital for the day. Funny though, where the tubing went up into my neck, it still feels like its there. You can feel it. He said its scar tissue and might or might not go away. Oh well, its my badge and I'll wear it - even though it shows most of the time.
    I did not have any burning or anything.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #5
    I fear that I would.......
    I fear that I would not be yelling ouch, ouch, ouch! I've been very anxious to have my port removed when I finish Herceptin. Perhaps I'm not as anxious now.

    CR
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #6
    CR1954 said:

    I fear that I would.......
    I fear that I would not be yelling ouch, ouch, ouch! I've been very anxious to have my port removed when I finish Herceptin. Perhaps I'm not as anxious now.

    CR

    choice words
    Yeah, CR, I fear that I will be using words other than "ouch" as well. I don't know if they will be putting me in twilight sleep. That wasn't mentioned. Padee, I'm glad you didn't feel anything during yours. I hope I am as lucky.

    Mimi
  • ladydi1
    ladydi1 Member Posts: 120
    #7
    Port Removal
    Hi Mimi!
    My port was removed in the doctor's office. He numb the area with a shot that did sting and yes, I did yelp. Then he cut the area open I felt pulling and tugging as the port and tubing were removed (no pain at the time) He stiched it up and sent me on my way.
    I have heard many different procedures for port removal. My scar is fading (thanks to Mederma) but I do get the feeling once in awhile when I turn my head that the tubing is still there
    (phantom tubing pain?)
    I hope your procedure is as painless as possible and that you heal quickly. I just know it felt so good to get it OUT!
    hugs,
    Ladydi1
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #8
    ladydi1 said:

    Port Removal
    Hi Mimi!
    My port was removed in the doctor's office. He numb the area with a shot that did sting and yes, I did yelp. Then he cut the area open I felt pulling and tugging as the port and tubing were removed (no pain at the time) He stiched it up and sent me on my way.
    I have heard many different procedures for port removal. My scar is fading (thanks to Mederma) but I do get the feeling once in awhile when I turn my head that the tubing is still there
    (phantom tubing pain?)
    I hope your procedure is as painless as possible and that you heal quickly. I just know it felt so good to get it OUT!
    hugs,
    Ladydi1

    Port Removal
    Mimi, I was given a choice by the surgeon....either in his office under local anesthetic, or general anesthetic in the OR. I choose to do the local, as I didn't want to go under general anesthetic. The procedure was virtually painless, except for the local "prick" to deaden the area immediately around the port. The nurse was there, along with the surgeon, and my husband stayed in the room. I was surprised that I didn't even feel it when they removed the port line, and the surgeon talked me through the entire procedure. The stitches didn't hurt. I would encourage anyone to use the local, as there is absolutely no "recovery period" to get over. I took it easy with my right arm the rest of the day, but really didn't have any se's. You can do it, as much as you have already been through. This is a walk in the park. Let me know how it goes. Hugs. Judy
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #9
    creampuff91344 said:

    Port Removal
    Mimi, I was given a choice by the surgeon....either in his office under local anesthetic, or general anesthetic in the OR. I choose to do the local, as I didn't want to go under general anesthetic. The procedure was virtually painless, except for the local "prick" to deaden the area immediately around the port. The nurse was there, along with the surgeon, and my husband stayed in the room. I was surprised that I didn't even feel it when they removed the port line, and the surgeon talked me through the entire procedure. The stitches didn't hurt. I would encourage anyone to use the local, as there is absolutely no "recovery period" to get over. I took it easy with my right arm the rest of the day, but really didn't have any se's. You can do it, as much as you have already been through. This is a walk in the park. Let me know how it goes. Hugs. Judy

    Thanks!
    Thanks for the reassurance Di and Judy. That doesn't sound so bad. I wonder if they would let me put Emla cream on the area before surgery for the needle prick?

    I hate going under general anesthesia, too, so maybe this will be OK.

    Mimi
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #10
    Mimi
    Hi Mimi! I wish I could help you with some wise or comforting words, but, I didn't have chemo, so, I did not have a port. I just want to wish you good luck. And, to tell you that you are one wise and brave lil cookie! ( that is a compliment! )
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #11
    LOL.....
    How naive am I? I figured that if I was knocked out to have it put in, then I would be knocked out to have it removed. I'm not so much worried about pain as I am just downright squeamish.
    But then again, I don't want to act like a sissy in front of my surgeon! LOL!

    CR
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #12
    Yes Mimi
    the port is removed under a local. They give you shots, you feel no pain, but mine kind of grew into my muscles and he really had to work to get it out. I was teasing him about it. But they remove 99% of ports in the office, not under anesthesia.
    It will be a breeze for you
    =^..^=
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #13
    mimivac said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks for the reassurance Di and Judy. That doesn't sound so bad. I wonder if they would let me put Emla cream on the area before surgery for the needle prick?

    I hate going under general anesthesia, too, so maybe this will be OK.

    Mimi

    Mimi-no local for me...
    I had my port taken out under general anesthesia. I don't do well with needles and the surgeon didn't even give me an option. I didn't know the port could be removed otherwise. Okay, I admit it, I'm a whimp and I hate pain. If the others who posted say it's not a big deal, maybe it isn't, but I think I would discuss this further with your dr.
    dmc
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #14
    cats_toy said:

    Yes Mimi
    the port is removed under a local. They give you shots, you feel no pain, but mine kind of grew into my muscles and he really had to work to get it out. I was teasing him about it. But they remove 99% of ports in the office, not under anesthesia.
    It will be a breeze for you
    =^..^=

    What makes the difference
    What makes the difference here. Does the port not come out the same way it went in and it went in under twilight. No way I'm not doing that !!
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #15
    Kat11 said:

    What makes the difference
    What makes the difference here. Does the port not come out the same way it went in and it went in under twilight. No way I'm not doing that !!

    Mine
    Mine will be taken out under general because the "la-la" drugs don't work on me and I feel everything. We found this out when they were putting it in and three doses of two drugs and numbing the areas three times--I felt everything and told the doctor what he was doing.

    So "ouch" would not be coming out of my mouth---I would be bleeped and everyone in the world would hear me if it was done under local.
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #16
    my experience
    I was given a local injection and was told it would be the "twilight" kind. I was awake. I get nervous (tense and shaky) when I watch people put needles in me, but I do OK if I am not watching, so I always look at the wall. I felt stinging when the Dr. started using the scalpel, but when I told him, he gave me another injection and it was much better. I felt some tugging, and I felt the tubing pulled out of my neck, but it did not hurt. I felt the suture material sliding through the skin, which was odd, but not painful. The Dr. used waterproof dressing (like paint-on bandaids) and I took Tylenol, but we went out to lunch on the way home, and I was back to normal the next day. It is really not bad.

    seof.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #17
    seof said:

    my experience
    I was given a local injection and was told it would be the "twilight" kind. I was awake. I get nervous (tense and shaky) when I watch people put needles in me, but I do OK if I am not watching, so I always look at the wall. I felt stinging when the Dr. started using the scalpel, but when I told him, he gave me another injection and it was much better. I felt some tugging, and I felt the tubing pulled out of my neck, but it did not hurt. I felt the suture material sliding through the skin, which was odd, but not painful. The Dr. used waterproof dressing (like paint-on bandaids) and I took Tylenol, but we went out to lunch on the way home, and I was back to normal the next day. It is really not bad.

    seof.

    Just hope that it is
    Just hope that it is painless for you Mimi!
  • j916
    j916 Member Posts: 141
    #18
    Port go bye bye
    Mine was removed with a local...i was given the choice, twilight or general as well. I felt the tiny sting of the first shot, and then nothing...talked with the nurse and surgeon about their gardens through out the entire thing...at one point i said, i think if you go any further, i may feel something...so he gave me another shot, which i did not feel. All of a sudden, he held up the port for me to see....we laughed, and continued to talk about upcoming vacations while he put in a few stitches. The nurse put on the dressing, i got up, got dressed, and went on about my day. SO MUCH LESS than i had built myself up to dread! I hope it goes well for you too!!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #19
    Hi Mimi: Mine was removed
    Hi Mimi: Mine was removed under light sedation in the same-day surgery unit. After all the suffering I went through I refused to feel anymore pain. They inserted the IV and I woke up after the procedure was done. No pain, and no feeling anything. Hugs, Lili

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