Hello everyone! I am very interested in the "Single Incision Lap Band". I don't know anyone who has had this particular procedure other than the regular lapband surgery. I am looking for a doctor in the Houston area that performs the SILB. Does anyone recommend a doctor in this area? Also, how was your experience with the surgery? Does anyone know if they can do this procedure if I have an outtie bellybutton?

I had it, you can still have it with an outward navel, you'll just have a bit of a visible scar, they actually cut just above the belly button (but on people who are overweight it looks like it's on the inside). It's also not always single incision. I had a very tiny extra incision and a little dot incision. The former was to get a better view with the camera, the latter was for a suture to hold the liver out of the way rather than inserting an instrument to do it (less invasive).

The recovery is much faster, you can do it as outpatient (reduces costs dramatically), and overall you'll have a better experience faster simply due to having fewer incisions and less moving around inside your body.

You may also be able to request that a plastic surgeon come in (your surgeon may be able to do it too) and make your outie and innie at the same time (umbilicoplasty) - they may be able to accommodate that if that's something you're interested in. That way your scar will be completely hidden in your new navel.