Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my lapband on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok.

But I do have a few questions.

Maybe I should ask them in the post-op section? Heck, I'll ask them here too.

Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas?

Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill?

According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh. :wink2:

Thank you for any answers you can give me.

Kelly

Hello Kelly,

I am in the midwest as well ( Indiana) originally from Texas, been here almost 2 years.

Yes my big incision is my port area, mine still is sometimes feels uncomfortable, and I was banded 101007. The bruising will go away, everyone is a little different. They have never used ultrasound to fill me, it is usually a quickie in the office! They use a very tiny needle to numb that area, then give me a little fill. Sometimes it takes several fills and sometimes a fill does not seem to work to long, once again everyone is different and it also depends how well you take care of your tool AKA band! I have lost 70 pounds since 101007, but have not lost in a month, BUT. I can only blame myself, I have not been making the right decisions. Looking forward to hearing your journey. What is your goal? I would love to lose 65 pounds more!!!