Scars & Pain???

I am looking into having the LAP-BAND on/around May 2 after my pshycological evaluation on April 12. But im curious about the scars and the pain that comes with filling the band through the port under the skin once surgery is completed. I'm on the younger side, 15, so im just curious how to prepare to explain the scars I will have. And im good with pain but i want to know a little bit to expect. Is there anyway anyone would be willing to share pictures of their scars. Sorry, I'm just a really curious kid.

Thanks!

Wow! So young!  But you actually sound like  pretty mature kid, so I feel good about you!
I don't have any photos of my scars, but I can help you out a little.  The only big scar I have is the port scar.  The others are tiny and not really that noticeable. My port scar is more moticeable than most people's, I think, because I had a couple of issues with healing.  (Our babysitter accidentally hit me in the gut with a camp chair about two weeks after surgery and that was a setback)   :)
The fills are almost completely painless.  At least for me, they are.  The only part about it that bothers me is when they have to pu**** around a little to get it in the right position.  It doesn't hurt, it just feels weird and uncomfortable.  When they insert the needle, though, that's a piece of cake.  Tiny tiny little huber needle, no problems.
Best of luck to you!  I had my surgery nine months ago and I have lost 91 pounds to date and feel amazing!

I had a 5-incision laprascopic surgery --- so, I had 4 incisions that were about 1/4 inches long each, and the incision where my port is was about 2 - 3 inches long.

All of the scars (after 22 months) are barely visible --- I have to look hard to see them.

As far as fills go --- it is a single small needle stab (like getting a shot) and there is no scar from that.

As far as pain goes, I had an out-patient procedure -- and was home within 4 hours of my surgery -- never needed anything stronger than Liquid Extra Strength Tylenol (even though my doc prescribed percocet for 5 days).

I'm now 7 weeks out and didn't need my 1st fill so I have yet to experience that. As far as my incisions/scars I took a lot of photos but the only one I'm willing to post at this time is one I altered for my facebook account. The picture in the middle is the bigger incision where my port is. There was some pain but nothing I took meds for once home from the hospital. The surgery and recovery was easier than the birth of my 3 kiddos :0)

Kathkeb's experience is mine exactly!

Kate

Hi - I am a 45 year old mom and I freaked out preop about the scars.  I already have a large scar from an "open" gall bladder removal from 25 years ago that is about 5 inches long and was concerned about mucking up the other side of my belly.  I am quite pleased from this laprascopic surgery.  My scars are little and will eventually fade.  

I am in a phase in my life where no one sees my scars except for me.  But if I had to give an explanation of my scars for some reason and wasn't comfortable with telling what the scars were from, I would just say I had laproscopic hernia repair (which is true!).

There is really no scarring or pain with the fills.  You just have a pin ***** on your belly for a few days.  It looks similar to a poke from having blood drawn. My MD does a little lidocaine first which stings.  I never feel the bigger needle although it kind of disturbs me when he is taking the bigger needle out because I can feel the tug of the needle coming out of the port.

I wish you much luck with your journey.  This surgery is something that I don't regret and I feel frigging fantastic now!  My self esteem increases with each pound I lose! WOOT WOOT! 

I am 8 weeks out, and I had 6 incisions. The biggest one being the port site. And that is where all the pain was at. I am going for a second fill Monday. They sprayed stuff on my stomach to numb it, so I didn't feel the needle only a little pressure. It only took a few minutes, they did it under fluro. It was pretty neat to see the band and watch as I swallowed the barium. :)