Sore Around Lap Band Port Site

[betsylulu2525 7]

I had my surgery on the 22nd of December. I have been really sore on my right side and was able to feel my port for the first time last night. My other incisions seem to be getting much better and aren't nearly as sore. How long should the area where my port is be sore? Thanks for your input

[bluetigereyes 95]

I also had my band placed on the 22nd of December. My incision sites are all really itchy (which is typically a good thing because they are healing). Today my incision where my port is is also VERY tender. This is my first day back to work after surgery, so I'm just wondering if its because I'm not up and walking as much as I was at home. My surgeon told me that the incison where the port is will be the most tender because its a larger incision and they do some tunneling of the port under the skin. I'm hoping that by the end of the week, I'll be feeling much better around the port site as well. Keep me posted on how you are feeling.

[LB4Me 35]

The port is usually stitched to a muscle and you are forming some scar tissue around it. It will be the last to heal. I've been banded over 2 months and if I lay on it too long, it is still a bit sore. Just something you get used to.

[betsylulu2525 7]

thanks for the input. I sleep on my stomach (which obviously I'm unable to do right now) and was wondering if eventually I'll be able to again. Or do I have to learn to sleep on my back? I'm not very good when it comes to sleeping in one position. I roll all night long and have accidently tried to roll over on my stomach a couple times already and woke up with a lot of pain. Wish you both luck!

[cutecamille 2]

Wow I'm amazed that you are working. I was banded on the 22nd also. Only my port site is tender all the others are ok, but the between the gas and internal soreness I don't feel like doing much of anything. I walked on my treadmill and went to the grocery store yesterday and I've been beat. I went all day with out pain meds, but I had to break down and take some around 7pm. I only have ultram, because I'm allergic to everything else. But I was thinking to myself this morning that I'm glad I didn't have to work or drive because I don't feel up to it. It might be the Clear Liquids that I'm on. My nutritionist, prior to the surgery, said that I should do clear liquids at least five days. I've been sticking to that. I have a schedule from my doctor's office that says 2 weeks, which will be my first post-op appointment. I read other people's thread and they're are already drinking Protein Shakes, some even doing full liquids, and some are even doing mushies. I'm going to stick to what I was given, but I was just curious about all the different doctor's orders during the 2 week post op. I thought they had to do some type of test to see if you were able to advance to the different stages.

[Meriah Wail 0]

I had my surgery done on the 12th so i am not that far ahead of you. My port site is still kinda tender especially when I sleep on that side but it is getting better. I would stick to the instructions that your doctor gave you as you change your diet. and just be patient. goodluck. you will get through this stage

[Fabulous Sasha 5]

I was banded on the 2nd and my port site is still a little sore; however, I am able to lay on my stomach. Since my surgery, I have only been wearing loose shirts because the fitted ones seemed to iritate my incision. Also, my gas is horrific - 100% worse than prior to the surgery; the only good thing is that it's just air, it doesn't have a smell to it. I was informed the gas is resulting from eating more vegys.

[thsisme 14]

generally, it can take up to 4 months for the port site to heal due to the fact that the port is sutured to the abdominal wall. you will eventually be able to sleep on your stomach, just give it time to heal. good luck everyone!

[pink dahlia 2,513]

i was banded on dec 13th. i was sore at my port site until dec 22nd. it felt like a really bad pulled muscle, then slowly went away. it feels fine now.

[akirk 20]

Not to scare you, cause I think I am an exception, but my port site has always been sore. I was banded November of 2010 and I have lost 65 lbs. The more weight I have lost the more noticeable and therefore more sore my port has become. My surgeon believes that eventually he will have to go back in and reposition my port deeper so that the soreness will stop. Hopefully though once your intitial incisional pain goes away your port will feel better. I would give it a little more time. Good luck!

[betsylulu2525 7]

Thanks for all of the information. I am so glad that I found this website to answer some questions I have as I go through this. To answer your question cutecamille, I am on the full diet right now. So I've been drinking Protein Shakes and eating creamy Soups, yogurt, pudding, Jello, juices and clear liquids. I'm finding myself getting hungrier now though. Good luck everyone

[Jason11 0]

Hi there, I was banded in April 2011, lost 82 lbs so far. As far as soreness goes, yes you will be sore around the port site for some time just to the fact it is now attached to you. I would say by 1-2 months post op, you will feel much better. I lay on my stomach at night and at first thought I'd never be able to again, but you will no problem. I do feel the port or put it in an awkward position sometimes that makes a slight pain but nothing major. I started working out about 6 weeks after and lifting heavy weights about 10 weeks post op. anyways, good luck to y'all, if you have questions, feel free to ask me

[Grider 92]

Boy sometimes you can't find info on this site, this is exactly what I have been feeling, but could not find the forum on it, Banded Dec22 and i have pulling and pinching feeling 3 4 inches left of the port area. taking milk of magnesia helped with all the swelling, but I can sit down and i feel a sharp kick on the side and pinch that nerve -ahg hope this will subside soon. I bought a band, it actually feels good around my stoamch.

[Grider 92]

Finally the milk of magnesia fixed it all !!no more pains no pulling twiching or biting. I guess I just needed to be normal again from all the surgery, meds, Proteins and lack of Water. A 2nd trip to the loo- gave me a new lease on life LOL . so simple, yet how do you know?

ON my way!!!

[Jason11 0]

I would say 1-2 after your surgery, you will have no pain unless you are having complications. The milk of magnesia is a life saver to use right after your surgery to get rid of the bloated feeling