For those of you who have already been banded, do most of you see your port portruding/sticking out beneath your skin? This is my biggest fear-- that my port will be obviously visible. I have a low BMI to begin with (about 32) and I don't know if that's worse since I won't have much fat to cover the port area. Also, how well has your port would healed? The goal is to get into a bikini without any visible scarring! I do have a tendency to keloid so I am a bit worried about this....

Any tips would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

HI,

I was banded 12/06 and hit my goal weight on 07/21/08 with a BMI of 24. My port does not protrude to where you ccn see it but I can definitely feel it. It does not hurt either. My port is located a couple of inches above my belly buttom to the left due to previos surgeries.

Oh and the scar has heeled nicey with no real visible lines/marks.

For those of you who have already been banded, do most of you see your port portruding/sticking out beneath your skin? This is my biggest fear-- that my port will be obviously visible. I have a low BMI to begin with (about 32) and I don't know if that's worse since I won't have much fat to cover the port area. Also, how well has your port would healed? The goal is to get into a bikini without any visible scarring! I do have a tendency to keloid so I am a bit worried about this....

Any tips would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

I had a BMI of 31 ...was banded in february...just hit my 6 month mark...biggest complaint...it's slow progress here...I have lost 18 lbs, but am thankful for that much...no the port does not protrude even though you can really feel it.

Trisha, do you have alot of comorbidities? This is a major surgery that I would not think a doctor would recommend for such a low BMI without some major co-morbidities being involved. Just curious what other factors are involved....

Here's my stomach, again, this pic keeps getting posted everywhere. I hate posting pics, I feel like a show off but I know that it really did help me, I wanted to know these things, so anyone tired of seeing my midsection, just dont look.

You cant really see so much in the picture, but the scarring and the port are visible, but not obviously neon LOOK AT ME, I'M A SCAR AND A WEIRD LUMP visible. The port is just a vague lump the scar has lost its colour and is not too obvious, but I figure I've got a huge brown birthmark on my right thigh, that nothing could ever cover, I've got various lumps, scars, freckles and moles all over the rest of me, what does a little scar on my tummy matter?

well jachut, keep showing off the tummy - it looks great.

i have recently nicknamed my protruding port (Trudy) - cause it's like an outtie belly button. my scars have healed very nicely - but the port DOES stick out and is noticeable **when i point it out** i've had a 2 piece bathing suit on all summer - nobody knows i'm banded but 4 & it's never been spotted.

i'll take the protruding port over a belly:tongue: - btw, bmi was 36 to start.....

Trisha, my banding was 06/12/07. I too cann feel my port. I still have my belly. I have lost 42lbs(slow go). But the way I look at it, I'm losing not gaining. I hate hitting the plateaus, they are trully bummers.

BH

Trisha, do you have alot of comorbidities? This is a major surgery that I would not think a doctor would recommend for such a low BMI without some major co-morbidities being involved. Just curious what other factors are involved....

over 30 is obese & i've yet to hear a dr turn someone down for being banded at that BMI range. now insurance may not cover, due to their "guidelines" - but if someone has the means for self pay, more power; regardless of comorbids.....some are just trying to prevent them.

luluc, great size reduction. I'm down from a 26 to a 18/20. I came down from size 4x/5x shirts to l/xl. I have enjoyed the clothes down sizing almost as much as seeing the pounds leaving. BH

luluc, great size reduction. I'm down from a 26 to a 18/20. I came down from size 4x/5x shirts to l/xl. I have enjoyed the clothes down sizing almost as much as seeing the pounds leaving. BH

thank you barbara~

i'm thinking i'm done - cause can't get the scale to budge no matter what, but i have thoroughly enjoyed the smaller sizes & for someone who hates cleaning closets.....i now LUV that chore:tongue2:

they'll band from BMI 30 in Australia.

Thank you all for your posts.

Is there anyway for the doctor to place the port so that it isn't visible as I gradually lose the weight? I am totally fine with being able to "feel" my port. I would just rather not have it stick out. I've heard horror stories where people have had to resort to wearing loose clothes even after losing all the weight because their ports were visible! All that hard work to lose the weight and still bound by your fat clothes-- that would suck!

Also Lulac-- thanks for the support. Yes, a BMI of over 30 is obese and I would rather preempt my condition before it gets worse (which it has, for the past 3 years). I am looking forward to running agian without excruciating pain from the weight on my knees!

Thanks again.

One more question-- what size band should low BMI'ers go with? A smaller band (4cc) since our stomachs are presumably smaller or do we want to go with a larger one (10cc).

Thanks!

As for the port bulge and/or scars, my daughter had a pretty funny idea, she says I should invent a tale about skiing some black diamond run, and taking an incredible wipe out down some rocks and trees, etc., so I can say

"oh, that, well let me tell you about the INCIDENT!" LOL....