ive been trying to loose weight for god knows how long and ive been looking into the lap band forever now and im not sure im kinda scared.. i read about something that is out of your skin? that they use to tighten it? how does that work and can you see and know its there?

It is called a Port and it is placed right bellow your skin, you can feel it when you put your hand over that area. BUT there is nothing hanging out. I am one month Post op anf my port was placed towards the uper left..about3 inched from my bellybutton. It depend on where the surgeon puts it.

Mine is up higher. It is sore at first and not comfortable to lay on. As I have lost weight if I am laying down and look at my tummy (without a shirt) and do a crunch I can see my port. (maybe someone explain this as "sticking out". ) It just looks like a little bump under the skin. When I have a tummy tuck for my extra skin and final tummy fat I hope to have it moved deeper to make it harder to see. It isn't gross and hubby doesn't notice it unless I bring attention to it. I have lost 115 lbs so it is easy to feel now.

When they give your band a fill (inject saline in to make it tighter around your stomach to curb your appitite and make you get full faster) they use a needle and go right through the skin. Just a pin prick. It hurts more when you give blood. It is a common type of port that is used for long term IV medications for people with chronic illness. They call it a Port-a-Cath. That goes into your vien, but this is hooked up to the band.

You might go to the lapband website. I think they have some good videos about the band and how the port works when you get a fill. www.lapband.com.

It isn't easy, but it is easier to lose the weight if you use the band they way it can be used.

Go to the PHOTOS tab at the top of the screen. Lots of incentive of why to get the band...but theres a post of pictures there by Sarah.R ( I think) and it shows what her belly looks like right after the procedure.

thank you guys.. im going to a seminar tuesday for dr. tiffany jesse. so if my insurance covers everything im definitly will get the surgery