After your port is placed, an SDMI nurse will place a dressing over the wound and review the proper care instructions. For the first few days, do not get the dressing wet or remove them unless your doctor tells you to.
If the port will be used that day, an access needle will be in the port covered by a dressing. There will also be a small dressing over the top incision.
It is common for the incision site to feel sore and this pain should lessen within 24 to 48 hours. You can take over-the-counter pain medicine if you need it, since most patients do not require prescription pain medicine. Wearing a seatbelt may put pressure on your incisions. If so, you can put a small pillow or folded towel between the strap and your body.
For the first few days, you should avoid certain activities.
- Do not perform exercises that involve forceful reaching or stretching.
- Do not lift anything over 10 pounds while your incision is healing. This is usually about 2 weeks.
- While you have your port, do not play any contact sports.
Once your incision heals, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities. You can swim with the port once your skin has healed, just as long as there is no needle in the port. The skin over the port only requires normal washing and bathing. You do not need a bandage if the port is not being used. When the port is used, a transparent dressing will cover the needle. It must be kept in place and dry. Most people will not know that you have a port. The port will not set off metal detectors.