Hi, all!

I haven't been banded yet; I just want to say that right off the bat. I went to one of the lap band information meetings a few years ago but at the time I didn't have the right insurance or the credit history to get financed (I had never even had my own credit card before :thumbup:). Now, I'm in exactly the right place and it seems I may even get approved :thumbup:, but I have to admit that I have a small anxiety problem.

So, of all the things I could pick to be anxious about, what do I choose? The fact that there will be a foreign object inside me and I might be able to feel it!:thumbup:

So, (though, it may seem ridiculous) here's my question: Can you feel your port and if you can, how in the world can you avoid thinking about it and poking at it?

First, welcome to LBT, and you'll get lots of great answers to all of your questions.

I have a low profile port by Realize Band, but I believe Lap Band is also now offering a low profile port. I'm sure you can find pictures of the ports online, but my doctor had both of them for his patients to compare. The low profile port seems to make a difference on how much it protrudes. I don't carry a lot of weight around my stomach, and I can only find my port if I'm determined. It's definitely not something that is conspicuous. Maybe it'll be more noticeable when I get to my goal weight, but at that point, I'll be so thrilled that a little bump will be worth it.

Edited February 1, 200917 yr by kiz

Ah, good to know! Thanks! I'm due to go to another meeting on Feb. 10th. I can't wait to find out more.

I have to say, Kiz, I love the quote you have at the bottom of your post. It really reminds me that I shouldn't let myself worry so much over the silly little things.

I can't feel my band at all and probablly COULD feel my port if I mashed, but when I was healing the LAST thing I wanted to do was mash on my incisions. (I don't know about you but being a VERY fat chick I wanted those suckers to stay closed, not pop open LOL and mashing just seemed counter-productive to me) Now that I'm healed I don't even think about it but at first, when I did, I was happy it was there. I felt it was my good friend, not unlike my glasses or contacts which help me see, or my beloved sunglasses that I do not go out in this pretty south texas sun without, etc. (or my bra. My girls need a house LOL) In other words, I chose it, it is there to help me. I am glad it's there. It isn't alien or foreign, it's an accessory I picked and love. Maybe thinking about it that way will help?

There are low profile ports available for other bands besides the Realize. Mine is a BioEnterics by Inamed (Allergan)--the 9.75 ml. band designed to hold 4cc.'s max of saline. I had it put in in April of 2006, along with a low profile port.

I can now feel my port if I push. However, my SIL who was banded by the same Dr. the same day I was, has ALWAYS been able to feel her port, and can actually feel the ridges, and where exactly the injection area is! Hers is very prominent. It cannot be seen through clothes, or even without---but can be felt without issue. Both of our bands are just a few inches below our breasts and just to the left of center.

I have one friend who her port is clear down at waist level, and can find hers if pushed--similar to mine.

And yet another friend with her port on the left side just below her rib cage and hers is like my SIL's and very easy to feel. Neither of my friends has a low profile, they have the larger ports.

It does not bother me to have it there. There are things I have done that it has caused twinges. Not to be a TMI thing, but some sexual positions make me notice it. And leaning over the trunk....when the cans inevitably roll out of the bags and into the depths of the trunk, I ALWAYS tweak it then!!

My grandson when he was small would want to jump on me, and he would find it! But it is not a pain that continues when you quit---just remove the pressure and the pain goes away.

The band itself I don't "feel" other than to know when I have over filled the pouch, then I know something is physically stopping the food!

Not something I ever worry about....I love my band!!!

Welcome to LBT!

Kat

I can not see my port. I can, however, feel it if I apply pressure in the area where I know it is. I do not even know my band is in, except when it is doing its job:thumbup:. Then you don't feel it, but you know it is there, because you are full after eating about 1/3 of what you ate prior to banding.

Hello! First I love the "smartwentcrazy"!! That is totally me, OK, maybe not, my son says my brain went 'bye-bye'. Maybe that would be a good name for me to use--brainwentbyebye. LOL (as long as I laugh! :tongue: :thumbup: )

Anyway! I haven't had the band yet, hoping for May. I just wanted to say that I saw someone on here call her's "Bandy". I thot that was great, I will name mine something. Maybe that will help with the foreign object issue--I feel the same way. :thumbup:

Spud Mama :thumbup:

For years when our son or one of the boys would act tough, my DH referred to them as Billy Bad Ass.

Then when I got my band, and it was showing me who was boss....he laughingly referred to it as Billy Band Ass......and to this day it is Billy!

Kat

Mine has a name too - Ike. I flew down to Houston to have my surgery and my 4 day trip turned into a 14 day trip due to Hurricane Ike hitting Houston. After FINALLY getting my band, it only made sense to name it Ike. I can't feel my band and my port is not easy to find or feel. I don't even try. They never have problems finding it for a fill - that's all I care about. I love my band. Good luck to you. Becky

I think that restlessMonkey stated it perfectly. It is no different than me getting up every morning and putting on a bra or my contacts! During my 3rd month post op, it did hurt just a bid every once in a while but that is normal but now after 8 months, I can push in and feel it but it doesn't hurt at all. Your doctor will push around on it plenty when you get your fills, he is looking for the spot to put the needle in. Sometimes it hurts a bit when he pushes a bit to hard but it is really nothing. I remember being scared before surgery, and I remember everyone saying that they are so glad that they did it....2 days after surgery - I was off all pain meds and running up and down my stairs, I remember thinking...hmm, it was really not a big deal - I am so glad I did it! It was really easy! Good luck!

KAT817 - I mean WOW girl! What a winner YOU are!! For goodness sakes - look what you have done!! You should feel gi-:thumbup:normously proud of yourself. Way to go!

You must be a strong and determined woman! You really did it and I am so proud of you!

Too funny! I do not think about the band inside me. I do have a high-profile port, that at this point I don't go feeling around for.

I cannot feel my installed equipment when I am moving or jogging. However, I know it is there when I get my fill. And I know it is there when I have restriction.

Good luck on your journey!

I can feel my band in the AM. I can feel the tightness in my tummy. My port is very easy to feel, but not noticeable to the naked it. It does not stick out. My port is not a low-profile port. It is on my left side under my rib-cage. It does not hurt or bother me.

Yes I can feel mine, you can even see the little buldge of it under my skin :tongue:

The first few months after banding I loved to feel it all the time. I can still be caught with my hand up my shirt on my belly feeling my port several times a day. I do it with out thinking about it. When I put my hand on it I feel happy and proud of having my lap-band. Its my secret little pick-me-up! lol!

I have the 10cc lap band and I have a low profile port. I can't really feel mine but then again I'm only 2 weeks out and not trying to mess with that region a whole lot. You definitely can't see it from the outside. I guess we'll see as I lose the weight if it's more noticeable.

Good luck on your journey!

smartwencrazy, I'm only 2 months out and anxiety is NORMAL. I was in tears 1 week prior to surgery when at a WLS group. It is fear of the unknown. LBS will work. Restlessmonkey stated it perfectly. I know someone at work w/ the same surgery and a hernia repair to boot. Her stomach is smaller, even 6 weeks after. When you recover from the surgery, You will be able to find it, but no one will be able to see a lump or bump.