Scarring?

[rkincaid]

Hey guys, I just did a search on the subject, but couldn't find what I was looking for-

I was wondering, how bad is the scarring after lap band surgery? I expect it to be minimal, since it's a laprascopic procedure, but I'm still curious. Anyone brave enough to post a pic of their belly? lol

I guess it depends on how they close too. Skin glue vs. sutures... anyone know how Dr. Bauman does it?

[chrispygal]

Sure, here's a pic of my scars 8 months out. I should note that I scar badly and that, generally, my scars remain red and raised for a couple of years. Also, my port incision had a difficult time healing and at one point it had to be re-opened and drained. I don't think that helped any with appearance. My surgeon used dissolvable stitches.

[rkincaid]

Lol great! I didn't think anyone would do it! That's really neat, I was trying to get an idea of what it might actually look like. As far as scarring goes, "not bad" to one preson could be "horrendous" to another. Thanks for sharing.

[chrispygal]

Glad I could help. :)

[Neal R.]

If you look in the PS swction on the Gallary, I have a pic without a shirt. My scars are barely noticable :)

[kebsa]

There are a few picture of people scars from right soon after surgery to a few months down the track. My port scar is the biggest as is most peoles ( about 1 1/2 inches) but has faded to being barely noticable ( it is beteewn my breasts anyway so well hidden) each of the others is about 1/2 inch, there are 4 of them and virtually invisible unless you are really close, just slight texture change realy- i will try to snap a quick shot and show you

I have just added a quick snap and I had to draw a cricle so that you could see where the scar is, its really faint. the red blotches from my ms medication injections sites, are far more obvious- they took about 12 months to fade to this point

[Alicia521]

I'll take a picture of mine tonight and post it when I get home.

[HeatherGurl]

I don't have a picture, but mine are not even noticeable. I think it depends on how you normally scar also.

My scarring is never too bad on any cuts I have had.

[ginabobina]

thanks for sharing these - I was wondering where my new holes would be! ha ha! I already have 3 scars from my gall bladder surgery 5 years ago and the doc is going to try to use those if possible for some of the holes. I'm nervous about that port area - sounds pretty uncomfortable. As for the scarring, i scar pretty bad but I figure I'll have to get a tummy tuck in a few years and some of them will disappear!

[flowerlady]

Gina- Dr Bauman was not able to use any of my 4 prev lap. scars from gallbladder surgery....no big deal. Now you can play connect the dots ( scars) on my shrinking belly. Seriously- it has been great- my port is 1cm down and left laterally to an old gallbladder scar- so hitting my port is EASY! Dr Bauman did 5 incisions for my band- 3 with dermabond and 2 larger ones with 3 sutures. I wished he had done all dermabond- much less noticable. No matter- small price to pay for the wt loss and long term health benefits.
Sheila

[ladytonya]

I had RNY, not lapband, but Dr. B did 6 holes and they were all closed with staples. I was kind of disappointed because I thought he would glue them. Most of them are barely noticable even though he used the staples.

[rkincaid]

Wow, thanks for all the help you guys. I know it's not reeeeally important when compared to long term health benefits.....but still, I was a curious lil' young'un!

And Gina, I see your ticker is at THREE more days????? I bet you're so excited you could scream! :party5:

[Neal R.]

any time Rebecca, thats what we are all here for :)

[ginabobina]

Rebecca I AM sooo excited!!! Had a few nervous days this week but feel OK now. I weighed in today and had lost another 4 lbs so I am almost where I was hoping to be for surgery day.... only .7 to go which should be no problem on liquids!

Thanks for putting this post out there - I was wondering what to expect too... if I get brave maybe I'll put pics out after surgery so you can see.

[ginabobina]

OK here goes... I can't believe I'm posting my belly! There are incisions on the far left and right that are 1/2" and I'm not sure you can see them. The belly button incision, where the gas goes in, is 1 1/2". The smaller of the top incisions is 1" and the larger is 2 1/2". I am 5 days out from surgery - the steri strips should fall off around day 7 to 10. The samll outer incisions are barely even noticeable - it's the 3 in the middle that are sore, especially the port area. It gets significantly better each day though. I'm still bloated from the gas - like my tummy is stretched taut and it feels like a balloon when you press on it.

Hope this is helpful to those of you who haven't had surgery yet and are wondering what to expect!

[rkincaid]

Ouch! I'mg uessing that hurts a lot less than what it looks like!

I went in for another appointment with Dr. B and found out that he'll be closing with staples, and suture at my port site....I was a little dissapointed too, I would like less scarring than what the staples will offer. Oh well. I'm still excited though! July 6th! I'm counting down the days!

[chrispygal]

So only 3 of us brave enough to show our tummies, huh? lol.

Ladytonya, you are looking great in your new avatar pic! Girl you need to post some pics!

[ginabobina]

I've nicknamed my tummy Frankenbelly :-)

[godloveshope2]

My surgery was on June 5th this was 6pm the same day at home. I hope that It does not gross you out to bad between the swelling and the gas they pumped me up with it makes may tummy look extra big. I know that it is a big picture I did not know how to make it smaller. The largest one is where the port is. second gauze from R to L.


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