Replacing your port for a flatter one?

[MrsShannonDennis 10]

So I'm getting pretty small (compared to what I was) and my stomach is in great shape. My port is so noticable and I want to replace it with the thinner one they have available. My doc said this is an option once I get to my goal weight.

Does anyone have experience with this or know more about it? Have you done it? Is it much difference? I'm a cash patient, anyone know the cost? Just trying to see if the surgery is worth it.

Would appreciate any info you have on it!

[adagray 1]

I know only a little about it. I asked my surgeon about it in pre-op. She told me it was a really simple operation and if I was going in for any other reason (gallbladder removal, plastic surgery, etc.) at another date (after I had lost all or most of my weight), she could coordinate w/the other surgeon and do it at the same time.

Now, I'm not sure if I would want to. My port feels so natural to me now. It doesn't hurt. And, its well placed (easy for them to poke, but doesn't stick out - at least for now, but I still have halfway to go). I expect I will really want a Tummy Tuck and boob lift at some point, though, so if I was to have the port replaced, I'd wait until I was doing other cosmetic stuff.

[Ravyn 0]

I didn't know they had smaller ports. I only know of the Realize port and the lapband port. I have the realize band and the port is pretty flat. I can't see any protusions, but I can definitely feel it. I worry about other people hugging me and feeling it. I'm still at the beginning stages of this process. Haven't had my second fill yet, but I'd love to know more about smaller ports that don't protrude.

Thanks for asking the questions.

D

[Mimilou2004 13]

I, too, would like more information because mine protrudes like an alien or golf ball from my right midriff. I grew a lot of scar tissue around it so I don't know where to move it to in case the new smaller one grows a lot of scar tissue, too.

Mimi

[MaggieB 6]

This was one of my pre-op questions to my surgeon. He told me he could use a smaller port but there is a higher chance of it flipping.

[YoungBlackAndBanded 0]

I didn't know they had smaller ports. I only know of the Realize port and the LAP-BAND® port. I have the realize band and the port is pretty flat. I can't see any protusions, but I can definitely feel it. I worry about other people hugging me and feeling it. I'm still at the beginning stages of this process. Haven't had my second fill yet, but I'd love to know more about smaller ports that don't protrude.

Thanks for asking the questions.

D

I believe for the realize band there is only one size port, but the lap-band has two.