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CLAIM YOUR PROFILEi had a patient with the exact same scenario. She had lost a lot of weight to where the abdominal wall adjustment port was visible. This is actually more common in men, because men have less fat under the skin, where women tend to carry their fat there. My patient was thrilled with her weight loss but her port was visible even prior to abdominoplasty and requested port removal without band removal. My recommendation was actually port and band removal without conversion to gastric bypass to protect her from weight regain. After a long discussion, I removed all of the fluid from her port so she could experience what it would be like to have an empty band. If you just removed the port, there would be no way to adjust the band and the band would be empty. After a week or two like this the patient’s appetite had returned and she was starting to gain weight and requested fluid be put back in the band. I do see that your port/band is empty so this advice may not apply. It is not typical for females to lose enough weight for the port to be visible, but in people that lose more than average I have seen it. Lap-Band makes a smaller port, and it may be possible to exchange the port, but I have both ports in my office and even the smaller port would have been visible. Realize band is a lower profile port but much wider. Congratulations on your weight loss journey. One more point, is what to do long term with GLP-1’s. Most clinicians would say you need to be on them forever to prevent weight regain, maybe at same or lower doses. Ozempic has only been available since 2017 and Mounjaro since 2022, so there isn’t a lot of long term data following patients 5-10 years and beyond.
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Yes the stomach can stretch after gastric bypass. In fact, many surgeons believe that stomach stretching is the reason that a typical gastric bypass patient will regain a small amount of their weight back after two years after surgery. Ultimately, the weight loss with any bariatric surgery occurs from a change in your diet. But, when the gastric pouch or stoma, which is the opening leading from the stomach into the intestine, has stretched, the restriction or full feeling may go away.
If the pouch is significantly stretched, there are several surgical options that may help, including 1) recreating a smaller pouch, 2) placing a gastric band around the gastric pouch, or 3) ROSE procedure or endoscopic suturing inside the stomach.
Over the years the trends have been to create a smaller and smaller stomach pouch, where nowadays surgeons typically aim for a pouch between 1/4 and 2 ounces in capacity.
Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Really patient, answers all questions, takes his time, you never feel rushed. He is very nice and pretty funny. His office staff is great too. Everyone in his practice is helpful and kind. 100% the right choice
First it was a lot of work just to get approved to have lap Band surgery. I have Medicare as my primary and Humana as my 2nd insurance. Medicare will pay part of it if you fit into the guidelines of it being a medical necessary. Humana at that time, I don't know if it has changed, pay nothing. Was not covered at all. So I start the testing and the process. At the time I first started this my weight was 260. I am 5'3". And am presently 53 years old. My weight loss has changed. I am now at 189. But that goes up and down. Within 5 or 6 pounds. Updated on 21 Jun 2013: I still have not reached my goal as far as weight goes. I am not gaining so that's good. But it seems like losing is impossible. I want to lose at least 40lbs. but would be happy with 20 for now. The saying nothing tastes as good as being thin feels, ha. That's hard to beleive at times. Updated on 4 Aug 2013: I just don't know, I can not lose weight no matter how hare I try. Went back to my lapband doctor. He added a little more to my band to help me get my eating under control. I just don't really think that's the problem. I do not eat that much, ever. I try to exercise as much as possible. Since knee surger 2 weeks ago I can't do much. Help me if you have any ideas that have worked for you after lapband. You get so far and then get stuck. Updated on 7 Oct 2013: I know this is a little late, but I just found the pictures that my Lap Band doc took before and a year after my lap band surgery. I thought it was interesting so I called his office and they had all the dates for me, I wasn't real sure about any dates, but know now. The actual surgery was 09-12-2008.
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