Anyone get the creeps thinking of a "port" inside their body just underneath the skin? It makes my skin crawl everytime I think about it. Is it painful, tender etc? Can you see it? Will my kids be able to crawl all over me...or will I forever be sensitive in that area? I hate needles, and surgeries, and doctors, and all of that biz. Is it all really as invasive as it seems?

If there is a thread about this already...please direct me to it....I didnt seem to find anything.

Thanks!

A

The port really won't bother u at all. When u are larger u won't even notice it much. Your kids will think that it is cool though. As u lose weight it will be more noticable. When I lie down, I can see mine but that is after 100lbs. I think of mine as the link to my best friend, the band. Fills are not that painful. As a matter of fact, when I got my first fill I was extremely nervous, but the more fills I had the better it got. If you are thinking about getting the band just make sure that it is exactly what u want. It is a life long decision that I am glad I made. I tell people do not get it unless you are 100% sure that u are willing to change your life for the better. Good luck on your decison making.

I didnt get creeped out until after my surgery. I know i was having the lap band put inside me but until i actually felt it under my skin (and I swear I could feel it around my stomach!!) that was when I got a little freaked out, actually having a "device" inside me started to feel pretty weird. but after a while like Sunshine sed it like a little friend inside you helping you out...

My port is a great conversation piece! I ask people if they want to feel my port when I have been talking to them about my surgery and weight loss. It just cracks me up when they feel of it and say EEWWW...!

Ha ha, I get the same thing! I get so into it and forget that it can creap people out. I started by keeping it a secret at work but I am very open about it now..

I don't have kids but I have cats who (pre-surgery) were quite used to jumping in the middle of my tummy! And they weigh 20 lbs. each! But since I had the surgery, I don't let them jump on my tummy anymore; I am afraid they will mess up my $15,000 investment!

Honestly, the port site is only tender right after surgery. And weeks later you won't feel a thing.

The port really won't bother u at all. When u are larger u won't even notice it much. Your kids will think that it is cool though. As u lose weight it will be more noticable. When I lie down, I can see mine but that is after 100lbs. I think of mine as the link to my best friend, the band. Fills are not that painful. As a matter of fact, when I got my first fill I was extremely nervous, but the more fills I had the better it got. If you are thinking about getting the band just make sure that it is exactly what u want. It is a life long decision that I am glad I made. I tell people do not get it unless you are 100% sure that u are willing to change your life for the better. Good luck on your decison making.

How often are fills?...generally? I wonder if Kaiser covers them...what if I lose my insurance? geeze...Im a mess.

I have a five hour appointment on tuesday with Kaiser where I will find out a lot of this info.

As for being 100% completely sure....Im not there yet. Im in the "information gathering" stage. I think there just comes a time where enough is enough, and Id be willing to do anything to feel better about myself...and in turn, the world.

My cousin got banded 4 years ago and told me to feel her port. I really had to push hard in order to feel it. It just felt like something hard.