Removing lap band port only - Is it possible?

Question

I have a lap band placed way back in 2009. I have had no problems or issues with it but I never lost significant weight with it either (maybe 15lb). I have finally lost the weight over the last 2 years (glp1) and will be getting a tummy tuck soon! My port kind of protrudes now so I can only imagine after the TT. Is removing only the port an option? I’d hate to have a full surgery to remove the band when it’s been unfilled for over a decade and not causing problems.

Jorge Maytorena, MD · Answer

Of course it is possible to remove only the port, ask your plastic surgeon to remove the port when performing the abdominoplasty, it is really easy.

David R. Geller, MD · Answer

i 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.

Removing lap band port only - Is it possible?

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Everything you need to know about Lap Band

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Removing lap band port only - Is it possible?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lap Band

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.