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Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:58 am
by JDavid
My impression was that the fluid reservoir is placed in the abdomen, that is within the abdominal wall near the bladder. Is that correct? Thanks.
Dave
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:08 am
by pianoman
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 12:34 pm
by JDavid
Thanks. That looks like it is as I thought, inside the abdomen. Do you happen to be in the Sacramento area. Just curious about surgeon recommendations in that region.
Dave
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 4:19 pm
by inthezone
It's behind the muscles. I'm 185 pounds and you still have to know exactly where to feel and look. Interestingly, the doc recommended being sure to be as flaccid as possible for a few hours daily for the first 6 months after surgery. This would prevent a scar capsule from blocking in the reservoir and prevent full expansion in the future.
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:32 pm
by JDavid
So you can feel and see it?
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:22 pm
by Dave92014
JDavid wrote:So you can feel and see it?
I am non-overweight and I can't see it. I can just barely feel it if I press on the abodomen. The resevoir does not affect my daily life at all.
Dave
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:27 pm
by JDavid
Thanks guys but I remain confused. I can see how it might be detectable by palpation, like the spleen or liver, and be inside the abdominal cavity. Not to be to obsessive about this but, at 5'8" and under 150#, I'm pretty lean and would have an issue with it being visible under the skin. Are there different protocols for this?
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:41 pm
by JDavid
Okay, I've answered my own question, for anyone who is interested, by watching one of Dr. Karpman's videos on YouTube. Dr. Karpman places the reservior in the "space of Retzius" which is a "potential space" between the pubic bone and the bladder. The space is opened up by blunt (finger)dissection during surgery. Thus the reservior is not actually within the abdominal cavity but is internal to the abdominal musculature. Other surgeon may do this differently.
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:50 pm
by Dave92014
JDavid wrote:Thanks guys but I remain confused. I can see how it might be detectable by palpation, like the spleen or liver, and be inside the abdominal cavity. Not to be to obsessive about this but, at 5'8" and under 150#, I'm pretty lean and would have an issue with it being visible under the skin. Are there different protocols for this?
I am 5'9" and weigh 137#. I have no problems with the resevoir protruding outwards.
Dave
Re: Where is the reservoir placed
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:56 am
by radiodec
The placement of the reservoir can be affected by prior surgeries and scar tissue. My reservoir is on my right side in between muscle layers but on in the usual space because hernia repair scar tissue blocked that location. It can't be seen but can be felt with careful attention.
It is one of the 100 ml flat type reservoirs for the AMS 700 LGX. I am rather heavy but I do not believe that it would be visible on a lighter person, either.
Dave
