Question about port and what it looks like on your belly...

KMEArnold · July 10, 2007

I am very seriously considering lap-band surgery. Based on my research and reading of posts here, I am very confused about what I can expect my stomach to look like after surgery. Not that I am planning to be bikini ready - but the idea of a permanent bump somewhere is strange to me. What does the port site look like? Is it visible as a bump on your belly? Or does it become visible as you lose weight? I am familiar with the scarring as I have had my gallbladder removed and I can live with that - but wondering about port bump and intimacy issues - I can see being very self-conscious about that.

These might sound silly, but I am confused by all the different descriptions I have read from people! Would love to hear from someone. Thanks!

Kat817 · July 10, 2007

I was told that no question ask in seriousness is silly!!!

I have a low profile port. The two times I have had fills, it was a little harder to find. I am down almost a hundred pounds now, and if you feel for it, it is there, but it is not visible from the outside, nor do I rub against it without trying to.

Originally the port was just below and to the left of my biggest scar, which is about an inch and a half....and is just left of center, about 6 inches below my breasts. The port itself has not moved, but the scar is now well below the port itself, as I have lost weight, the skin sagged some, and now the scar and the port are no longer positioned together.

I seldom feel my port without doing so intentionally. It may be TMI, but occasionally I feel pressure on it, in certain sexual positions---but a quick shift and all is well, it is not in the way, nor is it unsightly.

There used to be a thread of incision pics......look for scar under the search tab, and I bet you could find it!!!

Welcome to LBT----good luck on yoru research, this is an awesome site to look around and learn!! Let us know if we can help in any way!

Kat

Marimaru · July 11, 2007

I'm down 85 lbs, and you still can't tell I have a port if you look for it (I'm a size 14, for reference). I have heard some people got a visible lump as they lost weight, but I don't think that's going to happen to me at all. I can feel my port, I have always been able to, but I don't think my husband has ever felt it on accident.

They do have the low profile ports they can change you to (usually this isn't given as an original port), and it's much flatter.

Band Chick · July 11, 2007

One of my favorite posts is the before, after and during pictures of bandsters that are really living this: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/before-after-pictures-pix-only-4642/

Many of them are gutsy enough to bare all and tell all.

KMEArnold · July 11, 2007

Thank you so much for your honest posts, I really appreciate it. I look forward to continuing my research and this process and sticking with the wonderful people on this board!