I didn't even realize where my band was?

"with the band" · October 25, 2005

Went to see my lap band nurse today to complain about the constant uncomfortable feeling I have by my rib on my left side. I thought this was my band - my port - my something......NOPE!!! None of that.

She showed me where my band was (in the middle) I had no idea. And then she had me feel for the port - down lower in the middle toward the left front.....no where near the area of discomfort I kept thinking was my problem.

I told her I had thought they had lied to me when they told me I would not be able to feel the band after I healed. I kept feeling this discomfort on my side and I thought it was my band cause I just had surgery July 25, 2005 - so I assumed that my pain was band-related. She said I needed to go see my FP to find out what that was and that it definitely was not band related.

I cannot believe that I had no idea where this thing even was inside of me.

Now I need to find out what it is over there that is making me so uncomfortable.

Can any of you feel your band or port? Is it in the middle?

leatha_g · October 25, 2005

Could it be the tubing? Maybe adhesions? My port is definitely on the left side about midway up. Others are more centered. But remember, some docs leave a whole lot of tubing in there which would have to take up space SOMEWHERE... hmm..

vinesqueen · October 25, 2005

My port if very obviously a port, no pain though. I think I feel my band at night, at least the last few night after getting this last fill. No pain though

nurse4126 · October 25, 2005

I had a good amount of discomfort under my left ribcage after surgery. It felt like when you're pregnant and there's a foot under the ribs. My surgeon said that he went under the muscle there to actually place the band around the stomach. He was mildly surprised that the port incision was not at all painful- just the discomfort under my ribs. He also said that I may experience a "pop" at some point there because of the strong suture holding the muscle together "letting go". Well, the discomfort is totally gone now- I had surgery Aug 3rd, and no "pop" thank God! That would have grossed me totally out!!!