when i was at the surgeons office the other day he pushed on my stomach and said you are going to feel the band and it will be uncomfortable and if you lose to much weight you may even see if through your skin. this is coming from a surgeon who doesnt really believe in the band anyway, so is he right or is he just trying to talk me out of it?

andrea

He is trying to talk you out if it. You may want to change surgeons? You can't feel the band. You may feel your port. I've lost about 60 lbs and still can only feel my port if I lay down and push on it. Make sure you ask for a low profile port. That would help.

Uhh. No I cannot see my band. I am at about 107lbs, and I can only *just* feel my port if I stand the right way, and try to find it.

I my gut (pun intended) tell me he might be trying to talk you out of banding.

You'll never see or feel the band.

My port is gross, lol. I can feel it just laying my hand lightly on my abdoment, I dont need to push. People can even feel it when they hug me now. IT gives my kids hours of amusement. But you cant see it.

I suggest you switch surgeons...using scare tactics to talk you out of something just because he's skeptical seems very unprofessional to me.

You can feel, and sometimes see the port, and the port ONLY. The band is way down deep and around your stomach. No way could you see that. This guy sounds weird. I'd switch doctors.

i agree with the rest. i am down 117 and can sometimes feel my port (but can't see it)...never my band

This doctor of yours can't be serious!!! I've been banded for 2,5yrs. and there's NO WAY you can feel the band. I can feel my port with my hand by touching it, in the beginning it's a bit strange knowing you have it there just under your skin, but you can't see it really, it doesn't hurt, there's no bump under the skin, other people can't see it.

He's probably trying to scare you out of it.

niki

so many people are suggesting that i switch doctors, i dont know what to do? he did email me back with answers to some questions i had. the director of the wls told me that he isnt a negative person and he really cares about his patients but he was pretty focused on talking me out of the band. ive been in this program for almost 1 year and really want to get this done soon, also my husband insurance is going to run out in a month or two so i really dont have time to get another doctor, i did confront the head director on how i thought he was negative and she tried to convince me other wise of course because they are getting money so she going to say the best about him plus hes new to the area.

any feedback would be helpful to me

thanks andrea

I think people are just concerned by the misinformation a professional is giving you. Something else to consider is fills. If insurance is going to be an issue in the next couple of months, you might want to think about how you are going to get fills paid for.

If you have a good surgeon he/she can place it just right so that as you lose weight you don't see it.

My surgeon told me he has a method for placement so his patients won't ever see the port.

As far as the band goes...everyone is right. There is no way you can see that as it is wrapped around your internal organ.

I was told by the referring doctor, the nutritionist and my GP that the medical group would not refer anyone for lapband. I was convinced that the lapband was what I wanted. I had the appointment withthe surgeon, he asked me which procedure I wanted. I told him lapband and in 1 week the referral for the procedure was accepted. Go with your gut. If you want the lapband, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Only you know what you feel comfortable with.

when i was at the surgeons office the other day he pushed on my stomach and said you are going to feel the band and it will be uncomfortable and if you lose to much weight you may even see if through your skin. this is coming from a surgeon who doesnt really believe in the band anyway, so is he right or is he just trying to talk me out of it?

andrea

i do not have high bodyfat in my abdomen and was concerned with the port showing through once i got leaner, so the doc told me he is going to put the port in the inguinal area (lower abdomen). maybe this is an option for you.

good luck

chickie,

i too am concerned about the port showing once I lose weight..but you said that yours doesn't show at all?

I am going to have surgery with the 4th surgeon that I went to. First was money reasons, 2nd was he stopped being a provider, and 3rd I walked out while he was talking in his seminar, for exactly the same reasons, he didn't believe in the lap band. Well I am not here to beg and I for one do not want to hear I told you so on the off chance I had a complication. I want someone who believes in what they are doing to me. My next surgeon, is great! I am so glad that I shopped around.

Quality of care is my biggest issue, both before and after...feel comfortable with your choice.

p.s. my surgeon, when I asked if he had theories/adjustments for if my port shows after I loose the weight...his response..."wouldn't that be great". I love his humor and perspective. (ahh to be that skinny that that is my biggest issue, wouldn't life be grand)

I have a question: Does anyone know if once you have lost your weight and have a tummy tuck as I will--What happens to the port then? Do they move it? Since mounds of skin and fat are taken out?

I just found this forum and love all the info I am learning!

Thanks