I had my lap band put in on May 10th. I never had the gas pain I read others posting about. However my problem is that the Top incision on the left hand side (I think that is where the lap band is) always seems to stick out a little, and when I eat or drink it really sticks out. It gets hard, uncomfortable, and looks ridiculous! Is this normal? Is it always going to be this way? I am at the point others have posted about with the "what have I done to my body!" thoughts. If it is always going to be this way, I am never going to be able to be naked around anyone again because to me it looks like I have a tumor or something.

If I don't eat at all ( or drink) for many hours ... Like 10 or 12, it goes down, but I can still feel my stomach through my skin... It seems like it is on top of my bottom rib. God, I hope this is normal, and it is something that goes away soon. I have read one book and searched websites to see if it is normal to have a hard swollen stomach whenever you eat, but no one ever mentions it. Part of me is worried that I've already screwed it up because I didn't stay on "full liquids" as long as I should have, but I couldn't take it anymore! Then again I am sure I am nit the only one who did this... Because many people say they didn't lose weight until their first fill, and I have lost 9 lb already, plus I have never raten do much that I have thrown up or had the PB problems others talk about... So I haven't overdone it too badly.

Please let me know is this normal, has anyone else had this issue? Will I be ashamed to undress around anyone else for the rest of my life? Because if it sticks out this far when I am fat, I can only imagine how ridiculous it will look when I am thinner!

Its probably your port, mine sticks out too. Once I am at goal I will have a low profile port installed. And yes when I eat it sticks out further. The good news is its really easy for them to find when you go for a fill. :biggrin:

Hmmm, not sure if I follow but I think you are referring to the "main" incisions which is the largest one they use to put the band in. I am almost a month post-surgery and it is starting to go down. Anything like that will become more prominent just after you eat or drink but it is only temporary (if it is the incision you are talking about). It's just scar tissue and will heal over the next couple of months and decrease in size. Don't worry. My port is sideways and sticks out quite a bit (I can feel the knobs on the side). The clinic said they can manoeuver it when I come in for my first fill. It's all good...just something new. Note: I have been using Bio-Oil to help reduce scarring. Got it at the drug store. Cheers

Sounds like the port to me, too. And yes, it's normal.

Sounds like the port to me, too. And yes, it's normal.

I thought the port is lower down on the abdomen. This spot is directly under my left nipple area. When I eat the area under the incision swells up so much that it looks like I have a plum or something that sized implanted into my abdomen. I guess I will find out tomorrow, but I was sure the port is not higher than the lap band

My port is 1/2 an inch below my left rib.

Let us know what your dr says, the port is in differnt places for everyone as each doctor has their own preferred place to put it. So mine is on the right, my friends is on the left, but the port is always your largest incision.

Ok ... that makes me feel a little better. I guess I will find out where my port is tomorrow because I am supposed to get my first fill (nervous about that too... I dont like needles).

Even if it is the port though I cant say I am thrilled to have a lump as big as my breast under my breast whenever I eat. but I guess I can live with it for a year or so until I have lost the weight. Once its gone hopefully I can do something about the port?? I still dont know why it hsd to be so big, I am a nurse, and have worked with lots of patients with ports for central lines... none stick out like this!

Thanks for the advice though

Ok-so I saw my doctor, and you guys are right... It's the port site. It seems I have developed a fairly good sized hematoma under the port, so whenever I eat, my stomach swells, which pushes up the hematoma, making it more pronounced.

The Dr says he could drain it, but he is hoping it will resolve on it's own "in about 6 weeks". I am hating this thing. It looks ridiculous! I am just praying it goes away, because I have seen posts by people who say theirs never went away, but became scar tissue

instead.

Did anyone else have this problem?

Ok ... that makes me feel a little better. I guess I will find out where my port is tomorrow because I am supposed to get my first fill (nervous about that too... I dont like needles).

Even if it is the port though I cant say I am thrilled to have a lump as big as my breast under my breast whenever I eat. but I guess I can live with it for a year or so until I have lost the weight. Once its gone hopefully I can do something about the port?? I still dont know why it hsd to be so big, I am a nurse, and have worked with lots of patients with ports for central lines... none stick out like this!

Thanks for the advice though

Ok so let me get this straight, it's not on your port side right but the other side? Does that make since to you, my daughter just looked at me like I was speaking Greek, thus I asked. I am only like 9 days post op and I am already noticing that my belly swells when I eat. But don't go 10 to 12 h without drinking mama, getting dehydrated will make you sick and yeah it's just bad for business. It is most importante that you stay hydrated at all times the weight will come off. You should also consult your Dr asap to get his/her professional dx in the situation to be sure that there hasn't been any slippage or any thing because that's not good either. I am sure it's an easy fix, maybe just some manual manipulation but better to be safe you know! Let me know how it all works out!

:thumbup:

I saw my Dr.and he says it is the port site. It is on my left side under my breast, about the level of my lowest rib. He says it is a heamtoma, and that it will be absorbed in 4-6 weeks. I have notice it has gone down somewhat. I think what I have now is just my port. It bugs me a little that it sticks out (I was hoping it wouldn't be as noticeable) but I guess its ok until I have lost the weight. After that, maybe I will get it removed, or replaces with a "slimline" style port like I have seen others say they plan to do.

I thought the port is lower down on the abdomen. This spot is directly under my left nipple area. When I eat the area under the incision swells up so much that it looks like I have a plum or something that sized implanted into my abdomen. I guess I will find out tomorrow, but I was sure the port is not higher than the LAP-BAND®

They put it in different places it appears. My best friends is on her right side below her rib, mine is in the middle, right below the sternum. I freaked when he showed me, cause I was all prepared for the fill in the side of my stomach and thinking about a needle in the middle of my chest was a shock!