Hi all, I am considering Lap Band surgery, my neighbor had it about a year ago and he looks great, my biggest concern is the port, it sticks out of his chest like a half inch, you can see the bump in the middle of his chest through his shirt, it looks like a cist, are there any options to this?

I am going to a seminar soon here in Cincinnati and really want to be prepared with questions for them, any suggestions?

Also, does anyone have recomendations in this area for surgeons, good reps, bad reps, I have gone through many threads here and on other sites and havent seen any posts from around here (Cincinnati, Ohio) So if all you southern Buckeyes could lend me a hand I would appreciate it.

I am not opposed to a small amount of travel either, so if their are good surgery centers close to this area, like KY or Indiana I would be interested in those also.

Thanks everyone, oh, and by the way, I am Drew, 41, I am 6'1" and weigh 325, I am pretty sure thats a BMI of about 42-43

Hi Bumpyport,

I'd say MOST people have ports they can feel but not see, unless they're stretching or lying flat on their backs or something. It sounds like the surgeon placed your friend's port oddly, and I'd say it's very unusual for it to be visible as you describe.

If I were that patient I'd want to discuss re-placement. That sounds very unpleasant. :lost1.5lbs:

Every doc is different where they place their ports.. I specifically asked this question while at a seminar, he said (draw a line from your belly button to the bottom of your breast bone and a little to the right is where he always puts his, he also said you will not see it and won't be frightening small children! He did say that SOMETIMES you can see it if you loose a lot of weight, and if that happens you can talk about having it moved.

A co-worker friend of mine had it done in July, She has already lost 60+ lbs and can not even feel the port. Not when she sleeps, nothing.

That sounds like a very strange port placement. My port is in the left upper quadrant of my stomach area, (just below left rib cage), and you can't see it at all. My 2 friends who have their ports in about the same area, with 65 and 95 lbs lost. I can't see either one of theirs when they are standing. My friend who has lost 95, you can BARELY see hers lying down.

All of ours are easily palpable tho.

They also use low profile/mini port these days which is a lot smaller. My doctor only uses those now, reducing someone needing to have it replaced later. You may request one at an extra charge if your doctor doesn't routinely use them.

Audree

That is a strange place to put a port. Mine is on the left hand side just under the waist line. Ask the surgeon where the port is placed. Also you can ask for a low profile port for your surgery. Most surgeons are happy to put them in if you request. That is what I have. You can't see a thing. Good luck.

Hello everyone! This is my first post, hope I'm doing it right and in the right place! I am scheduled for surgery in 2 DAYS! I am so excited, anxious, nervous, a little scared! I have been reading ya'lls posts for the last week, found this website by googling and it has provided a tremendous amount of extremely valuable info! Any info you could provide would be most appreciated! Just ready to get it over with! It's that monster that's looming, and THE BIG CHANGE in the horizon coming, but I'm ready to take it on head first!

stephanie.

Your post was good but on a thread about port placement. Good luck with your surgery and it will be ok. I feel this was the best thing I have every did for myself. Best wishes

I can not feel or see my port. It is under 3.5 inches of fat. I will be happy when I need to worry about how my port looks.

Welcome Drew

I cant see my port but can feel it if I push into my tummy a little.

So for some of us the 'port sticking out' is not an issue.

Best wishes on your decision making

becky